WARREN, Ohio -

Saturday morning, the City of Warren was proclaimed as a Purple Heart City, and become a part of the Purple Heart Trail. 

That symbolic trail honors all the men and women wounded or killed in combat while serving our country.
 
A ceremony outside the Trumbull Services Center, where a special monument was unveiled.
 
That monument is to honor and remember recipients awarded the Purple Heart Medal. 
 
The Purple Heart recognizes service members who were wounded or paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.
 
"Veteran memorials go up all the time that commemorates those who served, it's not often that you see one that commemorates those that spilled blood," Commander of the Ohio Military Order of the Purple Heart, Herman Breuer and President of Trumbull Veterans Service Commission said.
 
"There's probably 18,000 in Ohio. Like I said there are two million recipients of the Purple Heart nationwide," added Leo Connelly, Junior, Future Commander of the Ohio Military Order of the Purple Heart.
 
A teen from McDonald came up with the idea and ambitious project for his Eagle Scout project.
 
"My grandfather was a WWII Veteran with multiple Purple Hearts. I come from a family of military. My dad was an MP, and my brother is actually doing two weeks up in training now, so I felt honored to do that," said Garek Deluga. 
 
The battlefield cross consisting of boots, rifle, and helmet was made possible with the generosity of the Kiwanis, people in the community, and the Sauer family.
 
This is in memory of Warren businessman William Sauer who was awarded two Purple Hearts during WWII The Sauers wanted to make sure no money that could help veterans was used. 
 
"They have much greater needs helping and assisting veterans, so we wanted to make sure the cost of all of this is covered, so we were able to honor those who served and were wounded for their service," said Kurt Sauer. 
 
Gary Gutelius and Dennis Mathy were also honored today along with all other Purple Heart Recipients.
 
"He would be so proud. This is really a beautiful thing" said Mara Mathy.
 
Her daughter added that her dad has three purple hearts.
 
The monument will be in front of the Trumbull Veteran's Service Commission in Warren and is along the parade route.