The Purple Heart pulled me out of the Blues
I had the privilege of presenting two Purple Hearts last week. These two young warriors were scheduled for an earlier than usual flight to the hospital in Germany and we try to present their Purple Heart medals before they leave country.
Typically a General Officer comes to the hospital to present these medals to the deserving injured warriors. Army and Air Force casualties receive their Purple Hearts here in Afghanistan but the Navy and Marine Corps present their awardees back in the United States. On this occasion the general was not available before the medivac flight departure therefore I had the honor, as the highest ranking army officer on the hospital campus, to present these medals.
The Purple Heart is the most unique of all United States military awards. Though low in the order of precedence on the Pyramid of Honor (it ranks below the Bronze star), it is one of the most widely recognized and respected medals. It can not be earned by courage or by exceptional service or achievement. The Purple Heart signifies one thing...SACRIFICE. Whenever you see the Purple Heart, know that it represents either a combat death or a combat wound. It represents the blood that has been shed in defense of liberty.
The Purple Heart is the most difficult medal to create. It is a 14-step process that includes casting the metal and layering on the enamel design. The Purple Heart is also the oldest of the United States military awards. General Washington's Executive Order of Aug. 7, 1782 included records of a purple Badge of Military Merit. On Oct.10, 1927, General Charles P. Summerall, Army Chief of Staff, asked Congress to revive the Badge of Military Merit. The Purple Heart medal was reintroduced on Feb. 22, 1932, the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth. The Purple Heart medal bears the profile of George Washington on its face.
The Air Force personnel are rotating out of the hospital here in Afghanistan again; they only have a six month deployment while we are here for a year. I was feeling pretty blue sending out Christmas cards and watching these folks leave, knowing I still have almost three months left. It was truly an honor presenting these two Purple Hearts. Hearing the stories of these two brave young men really knocked me out of my rut.
So I have over two months left before I can start the three week journey home. My team here will all get through this and be better off for it. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We'll be well fed and spend the holiday with our military family. Hopefully we'll never again overlook the joy of spending the holidays with family and friends.
