Posted on 06/06/2014 7:24:57 PM PDT by Michael.SF.
President Obama awarded a purple Heart to honor a Revolutionary War hero who was initially passed over because of poor decision later made, likely as a result of Post traumatic Stress disorder.
The emotional ceremony marked the culmination of five years of investigation by members of the White House staff.
In a statement the issued by the White House the President said:
“This ceremony is always a special occasion. But today it is truly historic as it reminds us of one of the enduring qualities that makes America great, that makes us exceptional. No nation is perfect. But here in America, we confront our imperfections and face a sometimes painful past, including the truth that some soldiers fought and died for a country that did not always see them as equal, just because of the circumstances of their future military service.
The awarding of the Purple Hear to Captain Benedict Arnold serves to right a wrong as the Captain, grievously wounded in action at Quebec suffered from what is now known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Information was unearthed based on papers uncovered from the Rather family archives. The personal papers of Daniel Rather, who was the editor and reporter for the Chesapeake Bay Sentinel at the time of Arnold's service, reveals that Captain Arnold indeed suffered severe depression, which likely played a significant role in his later decision to fight for British Forces.
When asked for comment, Susan Rice, National Security advisor stated:
“This is a very special situation. Captain Arnold wasn't simply wounded; he was grievously wounded and almost captured on the battlefield. But things have come together. I mean, this has been something that the Administration has been committed to by honoring every American wounded on the battlefield.”
“What I am referring to is the fact that this was a young man who volunteered to serve his country in uniform at a time of war. That is itself a very honorable thing. This is a young man whose circumstances we are still learning about. He is, as all Americans, innocent until proven guilty. We must remember that Captain Arnold, never had his day in court.”
“How much his wounds effected his later decisions are unknown to us, but that does not detract from the fact the Captain Arnold paid a heavy price for his service to the nation.”
How about a medal of freedom to Aaron Burr.
The Arnold family married into my family, but that was more than a hundred years before Benedict.
It’s all about getting the Kenyan’s face in front of voters!
Did the medal have chewing gum stuck to it?
You have CAPTURED her essence.
The interesting thing is that Benedict Arnold was one of the greatest and most successful of America’s military leaders before he went off his rocker and committed treason.
Kenneth Roberts tells the story in a number of his novels.
http://invitinghistorybookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/08/review-treacherous-beauty-peggy-shippen.html
parfum de moochelle...
Mark
Oh!!! Angry Wookie is Angry!
Mark
Is this satire......? If not this is sick
I’m establishing a “Benedict Arnold Let Bygones be Bygones Fund”. I’ll post donation particulars shortly.
I don’t think the guy from post #13 can be counted on for a contribution.
So I undershot with the purple heart thing. Maybe I should have gone for the Silver Star?
;)
I'd have gone with The Presidential Medal of Freedom. After all, Arnold WAS a civilian in England.
Mark
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