Members of the local Purple Heart Chapter, Commodore Perry 197, are overwhelmed with the new designation.

The accomplishment and designation will be recognized on Veterans Day, November 11.

There are only two other Purple Heart Cities in the Pennsylvania.

There are less than 1,000 designations across the country.

Brian Fuller is the Director of Operations for the Ridge Center, at Mercyhurst University.

Fuller, a Purple Heart recipient told Erie News Now, "without the help of Mayor Joe Schember, this designation doesn't happen". 

A Purple Heart City is a city or community that is designated to honor and remember military personnel, wounded or killed in combat with hostile forces. 

The Purple Heart is the nation's oldest military medal.