Photo by Joselyn King West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey, right, listens as Gerald “Wally” McMasters, left, commander of VFW Post 4442 in Elm Grove, explains his efforts to establish a Purple Heart parking program in the Wheeling. Morrisey signed legislation taking the program statewide during a stop at Wheeling’s Heritage Port on Tuesday.

WHEELING — Veterans and their families now have a couple more vehicle-related benefits available to them with two bills becoming law.

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey made a stop on a picturesque day at Wheeling’s Heritage Port on Tuesday to hold a ceremonial signing of the bills before local veterans and elected officials.

The first, Senate Bill 467, sponsored by West Virginia Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, R-Ohio, establishes enforceable penalties for unauthorized vehicles parked in designated Purple Heart parking spaces. It becomes effective June 8.

Anyone found guilty of parking in the spot is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of $200. A second conviction could result in a fine of $300 and upon third and subsequent convictions the fine can go up to as high as $500.

The second bill signed by Morrisey, House Bill 4437, was introduced by Delegate Charles Sheedy, R-Marshall. It extends West Virginia’s existing vehicle registration fee waiver for Gold Star spouses to include surviving Gold Star parents. The new law becomes active June 12.

Morrisey told those gathered that his father had been a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge and that his mother had been a Veterans Administration nurse.

“There’s always been something in the water in West Virginia — something in the communities that has always made people want to stand up and defend their country,” Morrisey said. “West Virginia has always had one of the highest enlistment rates in America, and I think that’s a great honor to the people of our state.”

Gerald “Wally” McMasters, commander of VFW Post 4442 in Elm Grove, spearheaded the drive to provide designated Purple Heart parking spaces for those receiving the honor. The West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles already provides Purple Heart license plates that designate vehicles eligible for the parking space.

He explained that, four years ago, he proposed the Purple Heart parking program and approached local businesses with the idea of setting aside parking spots for Purple Heart recipients.

“The community embraced us wholeheartedly,” McMasters continued. “No businesses turned us down.”

He said there are about 50 Purple Heart designated parking spots in the Wheeling area, as well as others in Belmont County and Washington County, Pennsylvania.

HB 4437, meanwhile, allows Gold Star parents to receive one free Gold Star vehicle registration for personal use.

“In West Virginia, we’re not just saying thank you to veterans for their service on Memorial Day and Veterans Day,” Morrisey said. “We’re doing it every day through gestures and with respect and dignity for what they have done for the country.”

Behind every service member is a family that shares in the burdens of military life and for Gold Star families, “that sacrifice is immeasurable,” he continued.

“While no law can ever repay the debt we owe these families, we can ensure their loved ones are remembered and that their service and sacrifice are honored by a grateful state and nation,” Morrisey said.