Reviving History
Hello All,
During my injuries of 2003, I had an opportunity for submitting a package to receive the Purple Heart Decoration. Having studied the histories and requirements of several decorations, I knew that my injuries truly did not warrant this prestigious award. Once again, the opportunity may be on my doorstep for another submission. Defense Secretary Gates is presently vying Congress to change the decoration’s requirements to include PTSD. First, we should examine the history of this medal.
21 September 1780, Major John Andre, under the name of "John Anderson", conducted the disloyal negotiations with General Benedict Arnold for the surrender of West Point in the woods near Stony Point and took breakfast with him in the house of the unknowing Joshua Smith. On leaving, Arnold gave “Anderson” six papers containing full information as to the state of the defenses at West Point. Three young patriotic Americans, John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Van Wart later encountered Andre (who mistakenly identified himself as a British Officer) and searched his person, only to find the treasonable documents in his stockings and arrested him. Tried and convicted of High Treason, Major Andre was executed in October 1780. The Congress recognized these young Americans by presenting each with $200 and a silver medal worn around the neck, The Andre Medal- the United States first Award presented by Congress.
Unfortunately, the regulation and citation accompanying the award was written for a specific act; thereby, eliminating any future presentations. President George Washington recognized the need for a Badge of Military Merit and designed what we recognize today as the Purple Heart. Again, only given to three Revolutionary War soldiers and not realizing the importance of wording the regulation and it held no statement regarding duplication. Public admiration of the award led to numerous commercial uses, such as, clothing designers placing small “purple hearts” on their products. Thus began the foundation of the Congressional Medal of Honor and proper verbiage in the regulation and citations.
The Purple Heart is the oldest symbol and award still given to members of the United States military. In addition, the actual order still includes President Washington’s original phrase, "Let it be known that he who wears the military order of the purple heart has given of his blood in the defense of his homeland and shall forever be revered by his fellow countrymen”.
I have found I do not stand alone in my regard to this award. Should Congress change the requirements, they will be acting against the original integrity intended of this award. If this was a lesson, cool; if not, then there are my two cents on this issue. Furthermore, I would like to leave this with a quote, “An, that’s all I got to say 'bout that”. - Forrest Gump
Be Safe,
Reach
During my injuries of 2003, I had an opportunity for submitting a package to receive the Purple Heart Decoration. Having studied the histories and requirements of several decorations, I knew that my injuries truly did not warrant this prestigious award. Once again, the opportunity may be on my doorstep for another submission. Defense Secretary Gates is presently vying Congress to change the decoration’s requirements to include PTSD. First, we should examine the history of this medal.
21 September 1780, Major John Andre, under the name of "John Anderson", conducted the disloyal negotiations with General Benedict Arnold for the surrender of West Point in the woods near Stony Point and took breakfast with him in the house of the unknowing Joshua Smith. On leaving, Arnold gave “Anderson” six papers containing full information as to the state of the defenses at West Point. Three young patriotic Americans, John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Van Wart later encountered Andre (who mistakenly identified himself as a British Officer) and searched his person, only to find the treasonable documents in his stockings and arrested him. Tried and convicted of High Treason, Major Andre was executed in October 1780. The Congress recognized these young Americans by presenting each with $200 and a silver medal worn around the neck, The Andre Medal- the United States first Award presented by Congress.
Unfortunately, the regulation and citation accompanying the award was written for a specific act; thereby, eliminating any future presentations. President George Washington recognized the need for a Badge of Military Merit and designed what we recognize today as the Purple Heart. Again, only given to three Revolutionary War soldiers and not realizing the importance of wording the regulation and it held no statement regarding duplication. Public admiration of the award led to numerous commercial uses, such as, clothing designers placing small “purple hearts” on their products. Thus began the foundation of the Congressional Medal of Honor and proper verbiage in the regulation and citations.
The Purple Heart is the oldest symbol and award still given to members of the United States military. In addition, the actual order still includes President Washington’s original phrase, "Let it be known that he who wears the military order of the purple heart has given of his blood in the defense of his homeland and shall forever be revered by his fellow countrymen”.
I have found I do not stand alone in my regard to this award. Should Congress change the requirements, they will be acting against the original integrity intended of this award. If this was a lesson, cool; if not, then there are my two cents on this issue. Furthermore, I would like to leave this with a quote, “An, that’s all I got to say 'bout that”. - Forrest Gump
Be Safe,
Reach
posted by Reach | 2:17 PM
1 Comments:
Well, I didn't know that. Thank you for a lesson in military history. Really interesting.
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