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‘How Much Is That Purple Heart In The Window?’
Dec 28th, 2011 | 10 responses
I don’t know what caught my attention while browsing the web today.
Perhaps it was the similarity to the title of that famous song, “How much is that doggie in the window?”
Perhaps it was the similarity to the title I chose for one of my military aviation stories, “How much is that F-35 in the window?”
But more likely it was the incongruence in the words in the title of the story itself: “How much is that Purple Heart in the Window.”
A Purple Heart – a military decoration awarded to those who have been wounded or killed in action — in a shop window, for sale?!
This time of the year when the misfortunes of people weigh more heavily on them — and us — and especially this holiday season when thousands of our troops have come home from Iraq and when so many veterans are suffering, such a title — such a story — is not only intriguing but also heartbreaking.
Please read or listen to this story by NPR’s Scott Simon here.
10 Responses to “‘How Much Is That Purple Heart In The Window?’”
This was a CNN story for a couple of days. I sure this has happened many times before.
I have a little experience with this. Eight years ago I bought a man’s Silver Star w/mentioned in dispatches clasp, Purple Heart, Bronze Star w/ Valor V, Legion of Merit and others, on Ebay along with some service records. This guy fought across Europe in the Army Infantry, got a battlefield commission. Later he was awarded the Silver Star in Korea. I could not understand why these were sold, and, the seller would not tell me. So I have them stuffed away in storage not knowing how I can honor this guy, his memory and his service.
So Dorian I trust you to find an appropriate home for these. If you know what to do with them, I will send them to you if you want to take the responsibility.
Allen,
I think that those decorations and service records deserve a fitting place to be displayed and honored. Perhaps a military museum or a VFW post, or something similar.
How about his family? I would think that they would treasure them
If you know about the veteran and what he did to earn those decorations, you may want to honor him and write about his heroism. Judging from his medals he was a true hero.
There will always be causalities in war and that is the reason the decision to go to war should be made very carefully. I know about 4,500 soldiers were killed in Iraq and I’m not sure how many were wounded. I feel like this war was a waste of men (and women) and the treasury. 77 Senators voted to go to war with Iraq including Barack’s Secretary of State.
I prefer to hit economic and military targets (no boots on the ground). Iran is threatening the area (Horn). Barack should sink a couple of Iranian war ships and not say anything publicly.
As Dorian can almost certainly tell you, the decisions that have to be made by soldiers (especially commissioned officers) can be heart-wrenching. Ordering someone into an action that might cost him his life is not something any sane and reasonable person wants to do. I will not vilify the senators that gave war powers to the Bush administration (they did not vote to go to war, but rather voted to allow it if necessary–probably some of them hoping that the president would take more time to decide if it was necessary). I will state that going to war with Iraq was definitely the wrong war at the wrong time.
We had other business at hand. Afghanistan wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. We could have (and possibly should have) sent several hundred thousand troops there, eliminated our enemies (or mostly so) and then built up the country. We could then have said to other Asian countries, “See what we will do for our friends and to our enemies?”
I originally supported the idea of getting rid of Saddam Hussein, however, that was in the early 1990′s when he first thwarted UN resolutions (even after the fighting had ceased). I had no illusions that he was somehow attached to the Al Qaida attack on the WTC. The first thing he did upon hearing about the attack was send his goons to kill Abu Nidal (top terrorist in the 1980′s). Not the kind of action that one would expect from someone supporting terrorists.
Iraq is likely better off without their brutal dictator. That part is good. The hubris of some of the people who were running the show (on the American side) caused all sorts of (likely) unnecessary problems. That part was not good. What is important is for us to finally LEARN.
Many of the mistakes that were initially made during the war in South Vietnam were repeated in Iraq. I seriously doubt that that would have happened when I was a commissioned officer (late 1980′s). We had battalion commanders who had been lieutenants during the Vietnam war. They would not have put up with the BS that was forced onto the forces in Iraq (such as not attacking enemies because they were holding out in a Mosque). We had been trained to the tune of, “It’s easier to get forgiveness than permission.” In the mosque situation, we would likely have blown it apart. The defenders are the ones responsible for making it a military target.
Another mantra I had been trained in was, “the army takes care of its own”. This is something I have kept with me. Although my financial situation is not ideal (100% disabled), I always contribute to veterans’ organizations. There are guys out on the streets who need my help. I try to give it to them, even if in only a small way. I hope others will do so as well.
Unfortunately, this is a non-story. The original story, posted in the Holland (MI) Sentinel, tells the story of an active duty serviceman pawning his medal in November http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x1658262183/Serviceman-sells-Purple-Heart.
Any active duty serviceman knows he can walk into a Base Uniform Shop anywhere in the world and buy a replacement, for about $40. Or even on the internet from the official government contractor for the medal (www.gracoind.com).
Once the story went viral, it somehow became the story of a down and out veteran, pawning his honor for a little bit of cash to help his family at Christmas time.
While we may bemoan the plight of our returning veterans and their lack of job opportunities, this is not that story.
Dorian,
I think, but I am not sure, that the people whom sold them to me were a pawn shop in Nevada. Poverty must have been the reason these were sold to the pawn shop. So I have doubts the family held them is such high regard. There is a 2nd Infantry Division museum, but it looks really basic with no real artifacts to speak of, so curatororial activities are probably none existent. You know these little military museums across the U.S. become privatized and many times disappear. Their artifacts generally discarded. Seems there should be some kind of depository to send the history of these vets to when they are gone and there is family apathy regarding their decorations, artifacts, ect.. You know the name of the recipient are sharply engraved on the backs of major decorations.
I wonder; why do they give awards for courageous acts to people if in the end they are worthless? I feel like a silly old man guarding the history of a vet I never knew and wonder what will happen to them when I die. No one to pass them down too, ( suffice to say my daughters are not interested). Legally they are my property, but really they belong to the entire country, and, to all vets. They should NEVER be sold. That’s what I am guarding against.
As so happens, Allen, there is a gentleman who has a web site on just such fallen heroes and their awards and decorations who would love to have them and give them the proper treatment. Please contact him
His name, etc.:
Ed Maier
elmiii@aol.com
http://www.tohonorourfallen.com
Dorian, thanks!
I will do that. You know, you really do a good job online for vets. Thank you for your service Dorian, back when, and, now.
Thanks, Allen.
Tjlane55-
-[While we may bemoan the plight of our returning veterans and their lack of job opportunities, this is not that story]-
As of 2008, more than 10,000 Iraq war vets have committed suicide. I disagree with you. It is YOU that is wrong.