Purple Heart parking spaces designated at The Home Depot

ATLANTA - The parking spots are a salute to service members wounded in combat.

The idea for Purple Heart parking spaces, now at hundreds of business locations in 43 states was started in Omaha with retired Marine Reserve Col. John Folsom, who runs a veterans aid charity called Wounded Warriors Family Support.

"We wanted to reach out to the community through the Wounded Warrior Project," said John Tuten, District Manager of The Home Depot. "We at The Home Depot are thankful for all of those who have served our great country."

Lined in purple, with a Purple Heart front and center, the reserved spots are front row at The Home Depot. The signs are part of a nationwide project through the organization Wounded Warriors Family Support.

The purple parking signs are designated for current active duty military and veterans. Currently, there are three allotted spaces for each store that is participating.  The parking spaces are to the right or left of the handicapped parking spaces. "Customers have been decorating our signs with American flags, flowers and notes," said Tuten.

Greg Zelazoski of Marietta noticed the signs at The Home Depot at Sandy Plains Road. "My father-on-law, Sergeant Major Eldridge Holloway, is a two-time recipient of the Purple Heart."

The Wounded Warrior Family Support offers Combat Wounded Parking signs free of charge to establishments as a way of honoring and recognizing these veterans. 

For more information, contact Erin Colson at 402-932-7036.

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