Saddle Sore
Continuing with the second of the two part series:
General Washington, known for issuing field promotions and commissioning to gallant soldiers was ordered to cease due to the lack congressional money by the Continental Congress. Sound familiar? The General, always involved and available to his men, decided another avenue in rewarding those deserving soldiers; as he wrote the following letter to the Continental Congress.
“The General, ever desirous to cherish virtuous ambition in his soldiers as well as foster and encourage every species of military merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings, over his left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of unusual gallantry but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any shall meet with due reward. The name and regiment of the persons so certified are to be enrolled in a Book of Merit which shall be kept in the orderly room.” He continued, “Men who have merited this distinction to be suffered to pass all guards and sentinels which officers are permitted to do. The order to be retroactive to the earliest stages of the war, and to be a permanent one.” He concluded the letter with, “The road to glory in a patriot army and a free country is thus open to all.”
These are the words from our first President and one of our finest leaders, in beginning the country’s veracious path. After his letter to the Continental Congress, with only three Purple Hearts issued and over two hundred years in the history, two of the original medals are accounted for, not for display, and the Book of Merit remains unfound.
Following the Revolutionary War, a realization of error occurred in General Washington’s universally recognized historic order, by acknowledging the common soldier; in no location did he forbid the medal’s duplication, in part or in full. Clothing manufacturers began designing purple hearts in their selections; thereby, reducing the integrity of the medal and its value upon issuance. Thus, the medal became doomed to fall into disuse and no further medals awarded.
Reach
General Washington, known for issuing field promotions and commissioning to gallant soldiers was ordered to cease due to the lack congressional money by the Continental Congress. Sound familiar? The General, always involved and available to his men, decided another avenue in rewarding those deserving soldiers; as he wrote the following letter to the Continental Congress.
“The General, ever desirous to cherish virtuous ambition in his soldiers as well as foster and encourage every species of military merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings, over his left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of unusual gallantry but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any shall meet with due reward. The name and regiment of the persons so certified are to be enrolled in a Book of Merit which shall be kept in the orderly room.” He continued, “Men who have merited this distinction to be suffered to pass all guards and sentinels which officers are permitted to do. The order to be retroactive to the earliest stages of the war, and to be a permanent one.” He concluded the letter with, “The road to glory in a patriot army and a free country is thus open to all.”
These are the words from our first President and one of our finest leaders, in beginning the country’s veracious path. After his letter to the Continental Congress, with only three Purple Hearts issued and over two hundred years in the history, two of the original medals are accounted for, not for display, and the Book of Merit remains unfound.
Following the Revolutionary War, a realization of error occurred in General Washington’s universally recognized historic order, by acknowledging the common soldier; in no location did he forbid the medal’s duplication, in part or in full. Clothing manufacturers began designing purple hearts in their selections; thereby, reducing the integrity of the medal and its value upon issuance. Thus, the medal became doomed to fall into disuse and no further medals awarded.
Reach
posted by Reach | 9:11 AM
1 Comments:
Yeah, it's sad that people can get medals that didn't earn them, and pass off like they did.
Post a Comment
<< Home