Bloomfield, MO - The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce held their annual 2020 Awards Banquet on Thursday, March 12th at the Assembly of God Church.

Madison Cox was named the 2020 Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Recipient.

She is a senior at Bloomfield High School and is the daughter of Roger and Sharon Cox.

She is currently ranked second in her class and is active in Sr. Beta, Future Business Leaders of America and Student Council.  She is also a member of the Lady Wildcats Basketball Team.

Her future plans are to attend Southeast Missouri State University - Cape Girardeau and then transfer to the Southeast Health College of Nursing majoring in applied Science and become a certified radiologic technologist.

Bloomfield, MO - The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce held their annual 2020 Awards Banquet on Thursday, March 12th at the Assembly of God Church.

Julie Dodd was named 2020 Teacher of the Year.

She and her husband, James Dodd, live in Bloomfield with their two children Jameson and Molliann.

Julie has taught at Bloomfield Elementary for 22 years and all but one year as a kindergarten teacher.

"To say she has made an impact on the future of our community is an understatement," commented Toni Hill, Bloomfield Chamber Board Member and Superintendent of Bloomfield Schools.

Mrs. Dod hold an event each year to raise money for 18Fore Life and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation when in 2009 Clause for a Cause was founded.  She began raising money by taking pictures with Santa.  In just 11 short years she has helped raise over $110,000 for charity through her pictures with Santa program, shirt sales and sponsors.

Congratulations to Julie Dodd, 2020 Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year!

Pictured from left to right are Toni Hill, Julie Dodd, Herman Morse, 151st State Representative, and Amy Haas, Bloomfield Chamber President.

Bloomfield, Missouri - The city of Bloomfield was recently named a Purple Heart City after months of efforts by Bloomfield City Clerk Kari Standley.

"She was instrumental in this endeavor to make Bloomfield a Purple Heart City," commented Bloomfield Mayor Bill Aslin. "I commend her for her actions and I am grateful she took this upon herself to do for our community."

Aslin signed the Proclamation on Monday, May 20, 2019 at the monthly city council meeting.  On hand were Purple Heart recipients and members of the community to honor them. As well as other local veterans including the Stoddard County Honor Guard and representatives of the Region 2 Military Order of the Purple Heart.

The Purple Heart is the oldest military award in the United States.  In 1782, George Washington needed a way to quell the talk of a rebellion at the end of the Revolutionary War.  Moral was low and they were starving.  He was afraid of a mutiny so he created the Badge of Military Merit to recognize heroic acts by his troops. No one knows home many received this award and it later lapsed after the war for many years.  It was in 1932 on Washington's 200th birthday, the modern medal featuring a profile image of Washington was created for soldiers.  

The award was made retroactive - WWI soldiers who had earned certain awards could apply for the Purple Heart.  Today many have earned the medal and we thank them for their service and sacrifice.

"I really wanted to do this for our community," stated Kari Standley.  "We have a lot of military history here and I wanted them to know that we appreciate their sacrifices.  We will eventually get a few signs as you enter Bloomfield to visually thank those who were battle wounded and stand as a thank you for their service.  It's definitely a sign of respect and gratitude!"

One of Standley's goals is to get everyone on board in Stoddard County and all the towns to become Purple Heart cities.

Bryce Lockwood, Chaplain of Chapter 621 Missouri Military Order of the Purple Heart from Springfield, Missouri, explained that the medal is given to members of the U.S. military who have been wounded or killed in action during wartime.

Also in attendance was John D. Dismer, Region 2 Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. "I am proud that Bloomfield has become a Purple Heart city.  The sign will acknowledge that the city supports and honors all veterans."

Dismer explained that Bloomfield will have the opportunity to purchase road signs identifying the town as a Purple Heart City and they will be placed at near the city limits on the north and south in the beginning.  They may try to purchase a couple more for other county roads leading into the city.

"I am truly honored to read and sign this proclamation tonight," continued Aslin.  "My dad was in the Navy and my Uncle was in the Air Force.  It's a privilege and honor for the city of Bloomfield to be designated a Purple Heart City."

Purple Heart City of Bloomfield Proclamation signed May 20, 2019

"Whereas the City of Bloomfield, Missouri and our Community have a great admiration and the utmost gratitude for all of the men and women who have selflessly served their country and this community in the Armed Forces; and

Whereas veterans have paid the high price of freedom by leaving their families and communities and placing themselves in harm's way for the good fall; and

Whereas the contributions and sacrifices of the men and women who served in the Armed Forces have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by our citizens' and

Whereas citizens of our country have received the Purple Heart Medal as a result of being wounded while engaged in combat with an enemy force, construed as a singularly meritorious act of essential served; and

Whereas the City of Bloomfield, Missouri seeks to remember and recognize those who are recipients of the Purple Heart Medal.

Now, therefore, I Bill Aslin, Mayor of the city of Bloomfield, Missouri, do hereby declare the city of Bloomfield to be a Purple Heart City honoring the service and sacrifice of our nation's men and women in uniform, wounded or killed by the enemy while serving to protect our freedoms.

Pictured: Purple Heart recipients present for the proclamation of Bloomfield as a Purple Heart City include, from left: Terry Hood, U.S. Army, Charles Hedspeth, U.S. Army, Bryce Lockwood, U.S. Marines, John Dismer, U.S. Army; Dallas Buchanan, U.S. Army, David Wilson, U.S. Army, and David McClellan, U.S. Army.

Bloomfield, Missouri - Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Las Brisas, the latest Mexican restaurant to open in the area.  

Las Brisas is located in the newly remodeled Sonic building.  If you haven't had a chance to visit you will be amazed at the difference in the old building vs the new style.

Las Brisas is owned by Cristobal Marquez and Gustavo Marquez.  Managers are Carla Lopez and Miguel Marquez.

They are located at 507 State Highway 25 South in Bloomfield, Missouri.  Phone number is (573) 568-6100.