An Urgent Plea!!

[HARDCORE]

AN URGENT PLEA!!

As most of you know, my wife, myself, Shorty Estabrook, and a myriad of other patriots, have been writing the House, Senate, and indeed even the President Himself, urging them to co-sponsor and/or back the Bill (HR 2369) introduced into Congress by the Honorable Bob Filner of California!

The Bill can be viewed on house.gov and is entitled: ?HONORING OUR FALLEN PRISONERS OF WAR ACT!?

This Bill would grant a posthumous Purple Heart to those gallant and giving souls who expired in enemy captivity in our wars, dating back to 7 December 1941, and of course, into the future. This Bill is currently sitting in the House Armed Services Committee.

?WE URGENTLY NEED YOUR HELP? in calling, writing, e-mailing and FAXING the United States Congressmen and Senators in your areas, all around the U. S of A, imploring then to ?CO-SPONSOR? this worthwhile, non-partisan Bill - PLEASE!!!!!!

The American service personnel who gave their last full measure of devotion for this nation, and each and every one of you and yours, would do no less for all of us. As a matter of fact, they did just that!

Again, please show your love and appreciation for these now departed patriots and comrades, by making a simple call, writing a brief note, or sending a FAX to your representatives, asking them to take a few moments to co-sponsor and/or back this Bill.

"Let us (finally) get this great Bill (HR 2369) enacted into law!"

?TOGETHER, WE CAN DO IT!?

VERITAS (Truth)

[BLUEHAWK]

HC, not to quibble nor to diminish...

The PH is a specifically "combat related" decoration.

It is awarded to members of the armed forces of the US who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy in action.

Perhaps there is a more suitable recognition to award?



What is it?

"The Purple Heart is an American decoration?the oldest military decoration in the world in present use and the first American award made available to the common soldier. It was initially created as the Badge of Military Merit by one of the world?s most famed and best-loved heroes?General George Washington.

General Washington is often pictured as a cold, stern soldier, a proud aristocrat. Yet we know he showed sympathy and concern for his troops, and was not too proud to pray humbly on his knees for his beloved country and for the men who served it, and him, so bravely and loyally.

His keen appreciation of the importance of the common soldier in any campaign impelled him to recognize outstanding valor and merit by granting a commission or an advance in rank to deserving individuals. In the summer of 1782 he was ordered by the Continental Congress to cease doing so?there were no funds to pay the soldiers, much less the officers!

Deprived of his usual means of reward, he must have searched for a substitute. Shortly after receiving the "stop" order from Congress, he wrote his memorable General Orders of August 7, 1782, which read in part as follows:

"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 way 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." The order further states: "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." Washington ended his order with: "The road to glory in a patriot army and a free country is thus open to all."

Lost or misfiled for almost 150 years among the War Department Records at Washington, D.C., this important paper came to light during the search for Washington?s papers prior to the celebration of his bicentennial in 1932. With it were the dramatic accounts of three soldiers who received the decoration at Newburgh, N.Y., at Washington?s Headquarters. The Book of Merit has not been found. The U.S. War Department revived the Purple Heart decoration on February 22, 1932. Miss Elizabeth Will, an Army heraldic specialist in the Office of the Quartermaster General, was named to redesign the newly revived medal, which became known as the Purple Heart. Using general specifications provided to her, Ms. Will created the design sketch for the present medal of the Purple Heart. The Commission of Fine Arts solicited plaster models from three leading sculptors for the medal, selecting that of John R. Sinnock of the Philadelphia Mint in May 1931. The revived form is of metal, instead of perishable cloth, made in the shape of a rich purple heart bordered with gold, with a bust of Washington in the center and the Washington coat-of-arms at the top. The latter is believed to have been the source of the stars and stripes of the American Flag.


The PURPLE HEART is awarded to members of the armed forces of the U.S. who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action. It is specifically a combat decoration.

An organization now known as the "Military Order of the Purple Heart," was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all who have received the decoration. Composed exclusively of Purple Heart recipients, it is the only veterans service organization comprised strictly of "combat" veterans.

Funds for welfare, rehabilitation and/or service work carried on by the organization are derived through the collection of used household items, the operation of Thrift Stores, through the donation of automobiles and, at the community level, from the annual distribution of its official flower, the Purple Heart Viola. Violas are assembled by disabled and needy veterans, many of whom receive little or no compensation from other sources. Thus your contribution to programs of the Military Order of the Purple Heart serve a two-fold purpose?they help the veterans who participate in these endeavors and enable the organization to do many things on behalf of hospitalized and needy veterans and their families.

Wives, mothers, daughters, step-daughters and adopted daughters of Purple Heart recipients are eligible to belong to the Ladies? Auxiliary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, which also does important work nationally and locally in Veterans? Hospitals. Further information about the Order and its Ladies? Auxiliary may be obtained from the National Headquarters as listed below.

For additional information on how to join, write or call:

The Military Order of the Purple Heart
5413-B Backlick Road
Springfield, Virginia 22151
(703) 642-5360
(703) 642-2054 (fax)"

[HARDCORE]

"Let the people decide for themselves - Here is the Bill!"

----------------------------------------------------

Honor Our Fallen Prisoners of War Act (Introduced in House)

HR 2369 IH


109th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2369
To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the Purple Heart to be awarded to prisoners of war who die in captivity under circumstances not otherwise establishing eligibility for the Purple Heart.


IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 16, 2005
Mr. FILNER (for himself and Mr. MCNULTY) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

-------------------------------------------------------------
A BILL
To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the Purple Heart to be awarded to prisoners of war who die in captivity under circumstances not otherwise establishing eligibility for the Purple Heart.


Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Honor Our Fallen Prisoners of War Act'.

SEC. 2. AWARD OF PURPLE HEART FOR PRISONERS OF WAR WHO DIE IN CAPTIVITY.

(a) Persons not Otherwise Eligible for the Purple Heart- Chapter 57 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

`Sec. 1135. Purple Heart: members who die while prisoners of war that are not otherwise eligible under the circumstances causing death

`(a) For purposes of the award of the Purple Heart, the Secretary concerned shall treat a member of the armed forces described in subsection (b) in the same manner as a member who is killed or wounded in action as the result of an act of an enemy of the United States.

`(b) A member described in this subsection is a member who dies in captivity under circumstances establishing eligibility for the prisoner-of-war medal under section 1128 of this title but not under circumstances establishing eligibility for the Purple Heart.

`(c) This section applies to members of the armed forces who die on or after December 7, 1941. In the case of a member who dies as described in subsection (b) on or after December 7, 1941, and before the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary concerned shall award the Purple Heart under subsection (a) in each case which is known to the Secretary before the date of the enactment of this section or for which an application is made to the Secretary in such manner as the Secretary requires.'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

`1135. Purple Heart: members who die while prisoners of war that are not otherwise eligible under the circumstances causing death.'.

[BLUEHAWK]

Had I any belief remaining that "the people" did decide through the means of our Congress, then I should be glad to oblige.

Yet and still, there is always hope.

[BLUEHAWK]

HC -

I put the word out all over the place elsewhere.

What I expected came to pass... most Vets stick with the wording of the PH citation, and that may be the turning point.

I tried.

[reconeil]

Regarding your: "Most vets stick with the wording of the PH citation", that might be so amongst the hiearchies or beaurocrat type Veterans of the largest Veteran Organizations or Fraternities.

However, it must be believed that most aware, non-herdlike or more so realistic Veterans like myself, HC, and others abounding,...just don't go along with The Purple Heart specifics, as you've detailed. And, practically and quite rightfully so.

After all, it wasn't all that long ago that same largest Veteran Organizations thought it wonderful that John Kerry had been awarded THREE Purple Hearts in only about FOUR months in Vietnam. Many of such Veteran beaurocrats/politicians thought that such alone automatically warranted: "John Rambo Kerry" to become America's next Commander-In-Chief.
WOW(!),...what hypocrits or fools??

Didn't seem mattering one-damn-bit to HONORABLE Veterans that all 3 Kerry Purple Hearts required no hospitalizations whatsoever. Nor, that one band-aid treating doctor stated: "Saw worse wounds from a rose bush".

So then, and according to Rules & Regs, yourself and those questioned,...Kerry's wartimes Purple Hearts were all well deserved? Whereas, poor souls having suffered: "Above and beyond the Call of Duty" and/or were mercilessly starved or tortured to death by the enemy,...don't even deserve ONE Purple Heart? GET REAL.

Hey Blue,...I see absolutely nothing wrong with bestowing on such having paid the ultimate price to God and Country additonal awards,...BESIDES the standard Purple Heart.

Besides, such would be: "The Right Thing to do".
Plus, believe their families would appreciate such a nice gesture by A Greatful Nation. Don't you think?

Neil

[BLUEHAWK]

Nothing wrong with a special new decoration... I just don't see most Vets going along with the PH in this instance... that's all.

[MORTARDUDE]

Blue :

Have you ever been a POW or talked to anyone that has ??...How many of these men and women received serious injuries ( by the enemy ) which will, in many cases, become disabling, because of this, while the war was still going on ?

Larry

[BLUEHAWK]

Originally posted by MORTARDUDE Blue :

Have you ever been a POW or talked to anyone that has ??...How many of these men and women received serious injuries ( by the enemy ) which they will, in many cases, become disabling, because of this, while the war was still going on ?

Larry

I've not been a POW, but have spoken with.

I don't doubt their suffering or injury in any sense or way.

But, when I looked into seeing how Vets, especially combat Vets, saw your issue, their response was as reported with rare exceptions. That's all...

[MORTARDUDE]

Which combats vets, which websites or blogs ?????

Larry