An Indifferent America Needs a Constant Reminder
"Being wounded or killed in any action against any enemy of the
United States or as a result of an act of any such enemy or opposing
armed forces." Simple and to the point, these words are the basis for
America's oldest military decoration.
The Military Order of the Purple Heart, a revised Badge of
Military Merit (introduced by General George Washington in 1782), was
authorized and first presented in 1932. Recipients are not recommended
for the decoration; they are entitled to it. (From 1942 until 1997,
civilians were also eligible for the decoration). Since its inception,
over 1.9 million (and counting) Purple Hearts have been presented. It
must noted that nearly 300 women (and counting) have received the
decoration.
As this nation struggles along, her history is no longer taught
nor valued. Thus, newer generations suffer the embarrassment of not
knowing who they are nor where their historical roots are. Future
leaders of this nation are forced to leave behind a legacy that is now
only remembered by a dwindling number of older citizens. It is no
surprise,therefore, to find that the significance of Memorial Day,
Veterans' Day or Pearl Harbor Day has been lost on a self-indulgent,
self-absorbed and self-satisfied nation. Millions not only don't know,
they don't care. Such information is irrelevant. As such, it should be
no surprise that millions of "enlightened" Americans are totally
ignorant of the Purple Heart...ignorant of the pain and sacrifice that
it represents. An overstuffed America has become a comic book nation
with the emotional capacity and intellectual development of an
adolescent.
The Purple Heart embodies the spirit and quality of unselfish
service, dedication and sacrifice our men and women, especially those
in uniform, have shown throughout our history. They've made sacrifices
that few of us will ever be asked to make. Not until 2003 were those
efforts finally recognized by the federal government with the issuance
of the first Purple Heart stamp.
For too many years, this nation has taken for granted the
pain...the suffering...the sacrifice our armed forces have endured in
the performance of their duties on our behalf. The Purple Heart stamp
is therefore critical to a nation that generally has an attention span
of about 12 minutes; any longer than that and it's ancient history. As
Alexander Hamilton put it, "Man is very much a creature of habit. A
thing that rarely strikes his senses will generally have but a
transient influence upon his mind." Therefore, we need a constant
daily reminder of what our men and women risk when they put on the
uniform of the United States military.With pride and without
hesitation, municipalities, businesses, clubs, churches, service
organizations and individuals need to use the Purple Heart as their
"everyday", "go to" stamp in honor of that service, dedication and
sacrifice.
Thus far though, this nation has failed miserably to realize
that, in the end, many will make the ultimate sacrifice so that we
Americans can enjoy the freedom of being self-indulgent, self-absorbed
and self-satisfied.
