The purpose of the Purple Heart Trail is to create a symbolic and honorary system of roads, highways, bridges, and other monuments that give tribute to the men and women who have been awarded the Purple Heart medal.
The Purple Heart Trail accomplishes this honorary goal by creating a visual reminder to those who use the road system that others have paid a high price for their freedom to travel and live in a free society. Signs placed at various locations annotate those roads and highways where legislation has been passed to designate parts of the national road system as The Purple Heart Trail. The actual format and design of the signs vary from state to state. There are currently designated sections in 45 states as well as Guam.
Purple Heart Trail in Arizona
Purple Heart State of Arizona
Arizona – (View proclamation)
Purple Heart Counties
Apache – (View proclamation)
Cochise – (View proclamation)
Coconino – (View proclamation)
Gila – (View proclamation)
Graham – (View proclamation)
Greenlee – (View proclamation)
La Paz – (View proclamation)
Maricopa – (View proclamation)
Mohave – (View proclamation)
Navajo – (View proclamation)
Pima – (View proclamation)
Pinal – (View proclamation)
Sante Cruz – (View proclamation)
Yavapai – (View proclamation)
Yuma – (View proclamation)
Purple Heart Cities and Towns
Apache Junction
Avondale
Benson
Buckeye
Bullhead City
Chandler
El Mirage
Flagstaff
Fountain Hills
Gilbert
Glendale
Goodyear
Huachuca City
Litchfield Park
Marana
Maricopa
Mesa
Oro Valley
Peoria
Phoenix
Prescott Valley
Safford
Scottsdale
Sedona
Sierra Vista
Surprise
Tempe
Tolleson
Tucson
Williams
Purple Heart Native American Communities
Gila River Indian Community
Leupp Chapter, Western Navajo Agency, Navajo Nation
Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
Purple Heart Routes
I-10
I-40
Tucson, Purple Heart Park
Purple Heart Entities
Flagstaff High School
Marshall School
Northern Arizona University
Pima Community College
Sonoran Desert Institute
University of Arizona
Join the Purple Heart Trail
If you’re looking to become a Purple Heart county, city, or other entity (such as a Purple Heart college), please get in contact with us here.
Getting Involved
If you’re a member of the Military Order of the Purple, and looking to get your community involved, below are a few resources to help get you started.
1. HowToGuide – A how-to-guide from the National Purple Heart Trail coordinator.
2. Sample PH Letter – A sample initiation letter to your local representatives.
3. Info Sheet PH City Signs – Sample letter stating the requirements for Purple Heart city signage.
4. Sample Presentation Speech – Words by Patriot Frank Giroux that you may use, or serve as a starting point for your own words regarding a presentation ceremony.
5. National Purple Heart Trail website – https://www.purpleheart.org/our-services/purple-heart-trail-2/