FULTON CO., Ohio (WTVG) – A 12-year-old from Evergreen Middle School testified before an Ohio House committee this week in support of legislation that would allow surviving spouses to keep a Purple Heart license plate after a veteran dies.

Grady Langenderfer appeared before the House Transportation Committee alongside House District 81 Rep. Jim Hoops in support of House Bill 339.

The bill received its first reading in committee. It’s the first of three considerations before it could advance to the governor’s desk.

Langenderfer said the effort began after his grandfather, a Purple Heart recipient, died last year.

“My poppa was a Purple Heart recipient,” Langenderfer said. “Right now, when a Purple Heart veteran passes away, their spouse is not allowed to keep the Purple Heart license plate on their vehicle. My nana wanted to keep hers, and that made me wonder how many other spouses are out there just like my nana.”

Langenderfer brought the idea to Hoops, who introduced the legislation.

“I appreciate it, Mr. Chairman, allowing him to come and just share his story about his grandad and why he feels this is very important, that we get this through,” Hoops said.

Langenderfer told committee members that spouses of veterans deserve recognition for their own sacrifices.

“For many, the hardest battles don’t end when the war does, and through all this their spouses are there,” Langenderfer said. “Even though most did not serve in the military, spouses serve in their own way — they go to appointments, help at home, and stay strong during the hard days.”

His testimony drew bipartisan praise from committee members. [VIEW FULL ARTICLE]