Jenks dedicates state's first Purple Heart Garden to honor military heroes

Community members gathered in Jenks this weekend to dedicate a new Purple Heart Garden at Veterans Park, created to honor service members wounded or killed in combat.

City leaders and residents joined together for the ceremony, which marked the unveiling of what officials say is the only Purple Heart Garden in Oklahoma and possibly the first of its kind in the nation.

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Jenks Mayor Cory Box said the project started as a simple idea.

"It literally went from a drawing on a napkin to what you see behind you today," Box said. "And we're very proud of how we can recognize our Purple Heart recipients in the city of Jenks."

The garden features commemorative plaques, native landscaping, and a pathway lined with purple flowers to symbolize the Purple Heart medal. Officials say the space was designed to serve as a place of reflection and remembrance for the community.