[Editor’s note: segments of this article are taken from Norm Manly’s recap of the Manson event, combined with additional writing from this website’s reporter.]
Manson’s inaugural Purple Heart Day celebration drew a crowd of 75 community members on a smoky August 7, filling the back yard of Tapped Out Sports Bar for an afternoon dedicated to honoring wounded and fallen service members.
The event began at noon with a stirring performance by the Lake Chelan Patriotic Singers. Norm Manly, Post Service Officer for the Manson American Legion, welcomed attendees, provided programs and masks, and thanked Tapped Out Sports Bar owner Todd Link, a veteran himself, for hosting and supporting the ceremony.
Mike and Phyllis Coleman accept the award for their son, Nicholas Coleman, Iraq.
During the event, Robin Boch read the official proclomation designating Manson as a Purple Heart community. Then 3 local Purple Heart recipients, via their family members, were recognized: Arthur Jarr, Army, WWI; Nicholas Coleman, Marine Corps, Iraq War; and Patrick Beeman, Army, WWI. Additional speakers shared their thoughts on service, sacrifice, and community before the event was formally closed and those in attendance enjoyed lunch and conversation.
After the Manson ceremony; left to right: Craig Pittson, Jim Taylor, Norm Manly, Marie Cannon, Shon Smith, Chelan County Sherrif Mike Morrison and John Swenson.
Later that same day, the Purple Heart Counties of Chelan and Douglas, Purple Heart Cities of Chelan, Wenatchee, Waterville, and East Wenatchee, and the Purple Heart Community of Manson came together at the Wenatchee Convention Center for a larger Purple Heart Day event.
Tony Sandoval of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs served as the Master of Ceremonies. American Legion Post 10 and VFW Post 3617 posted the colors, followed by Courtney Sackwar delivering a powerful rendition of the national anthem. Wenatchee Mayor Mike Poirier, who helped sponsor the event, then shared the history of the Purple Heart Medal.
Mayor Mike Poirier reads the History of the Purple Heart for those in attendance.
After Tony Sandoval explained the Purple Heart Trail, including the fact that Chelan and Douglas county are 2 of the 4 Purple Heart Counties in the state of Washington, Commissioner Kevin Overbay presented a framed proclamation to Norm Manly and American Legion Post 108 commemorating Manson becoming a Purple Heart Community.
Commissioner Overbay shakes hands with Norm Manly as members of Post 108 admire the framed proclamation.
The rest of the evening included the induction of 11 Purple Heart receipients into the Hall of Honor, joining the 14 inducted in 2025 and 8 from 2024. One by one, each honoree or their family members was invited to the stage. A large screen displayed their photo and story as it was read aloud, followed by the presentation of a commemorative coin and a professional photo. Norm Gutzwiler, a Purple Heart recipient himself honored at the first event in 2024, read the first 4 stories, sprinkling in some memories as he knew some of them or their families.
Purple Heart Hall of Honor plaque including recipients from 2024, 2025, and 2026.
This year’s Honorees:
Arthur Jarr, Army, WWI (deceased)
Ernest Charles Welker (Chuck), Army, WWII (deceased)
George Thomas Jones, Army, WWII (deceased)
Irvin Chmelir, Army, WWI (deceased)
John Clifford Drake, Navy, WWII
Lawrence O’Brian, Marine Corps, Vietnam War (deceased)
Nicholas Coleman, Marine Corps, Iraq War (deceased)
Patrick Beeman, Army, WWI (deceased)
Richard Aliulis, Army, Vietnam War
Shep Keuster, Navy, Vietnam War
William “Dan” Cox, Army, Vietnam War (deceased)
John Clifford Drake (green shirt) and family at the stage as his story is read aloud.
Shep Kuester and family at the stage as his story is read aloud.
