“They said you cannot have them because you have not earned them — your husband earned them,” she said. “It really frustrates me.”
Schmidt said the ordeal saddens her because the plates serve as a proud and meaningful reminder of her late husband’s patriotism and dedication to his country.
Her husband, Leland, was injured by shrapnel in combat in the 1940s during the Battle of the Bulge, family members said.
Leland, who saluted the American flag outside of his home every morning until his death in 2005 at the age of 84, had owned and proudly displayed plates with the Purple Heart symbol for 20 years or longer.
His 47-year-old daughter, Amy Schmidt, said it is insensitive of the BMV to force her mother to remove the keepsakes.
“My father loved this country, fought for it and I think we should have the right to keep them, definitely,” Amy said.
But the state has strict rules about plates honoring military veterans: It will only issue special military plates to veterans who meet the eligibility requirsements and produce the proper paperwork.
About 7,135 Purple Heart plates were issued in 2009. So far this year, 3,600 plates have been issued.
“Only Purple Heart recipients may have the Purple Heart license plates,” said Julie Hints, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Public Safety. “No family members (can receive them) and none (are given) posthumously.”
If the vehicle was still in Leland’s name, Schmidt could register the special plates, but it’s not.
Families of military service members who are killed in action can obtain Gold Star plates to commemorate their fallen loved ones, but the state offers no plates for people whose family members served in the military but died outside of a combat zone.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-0749 or cfrolik@DaytonDailyNews.com.
About the Author
