There are new parking spaces in the city of Picayune, specially designated for Purple Heart recipients.
The spaces were established as part of Neil Frierson’s Eagle Scout project. Frierson said he got the idea while visiting other towns that already had similar spaces designated for wounded veterans.
Frierson, and his fellow Boy Scouts William Smith and Collin Crosby, painted the spaces using paint they purchased and donated time. There are three such spaces spread throughout the city, one is in front of City Hall, another is at Crosby Commons and the last is outside the First United Methodist Church.
Frierson said it took about nine hours to paint all three spots.
A sign placed at the parking spot in front of City Hall was donated by the Wounded Warrior project. Frierson said all he had to pay was the shipping and handling, and the city donated the post, which matches the other decorative posts in the area.
Larry Kitts, first vice commander for the local American Legion, Jimmy Stockstill, American Legion commander and Ronnie Lowe, commander of the local VFW, all said they are proud of work the Scouts put into establishing the spaces for Purple Heart recipients.
Frierson said the spots can be used by any veteran with a Purple Heart tag, or by the families driving them around.