Posted on 08/21/2007 8:27:09 AM PDT by Dubya
PEARLAND — This time, Nyles Reed didn't have to pay for his Purple Heart medal.
Monday, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn awarded him the medal, saying it is "embarrassing" Reed was ever told he'd have to pay $42 to get his own.
The 75-year-old retired salesman got a standing ovation at a packed luncheon of the Pearland and Alvin Chambers of Commerce.
Navy officials notified him a couple of weeks ago that he had qualified for the medal 55 years ago as a Marine sergeant in Korea.
The medals were out of stock, officials told him in a letter. He got a nice certificate, but was told that if he wanted a medal to go with it, he'd have to either buy his own or reapply in 90 days.
Cornyn, R-Texas, said no combat veteran should have to pay for his own medals, and his staff made sure Reed got a medal provided by the federal government.
The medal Reed received Monday does create a problem. Reed already has a Purple Heart he bought at a Houston military goods store.
Reed said he took his certificate to the store to prove he was entitled to the award, but was amazed to find out all he needed was the $42.
"I've heard of people having medals they aren't entitled to. Maybe they'll take it back and refund my money," Reed said with a grin.
Back on June 22, 1952, Reed was heading for an artillery observation post near Panmunjom when a Chinese artillery shell blew his Jeep over, causing a deep gash in his cheek.
Reed went to a nearby aid station and got about 10 stitches in his wound. He still has the scar beneath his left eye.
"All I knew was that the Chinese were attacking, and they needed me at that observation post," he said.
His Jeep turned out to be as tough as he was. After it was put back up on its wheels, it took Reed to the observation post.
Because he didn't stick around at the aid station long enough to give anybody his name, there were no official records of his wound.
After seeing other veterans getting medals decades after they were in combat, Reed decided about three years ago to try to get his Purple Heart. "I had a couple of buddies who are still around who knew what happened, and they helped me," Reed said.
The heart-shaped medal was established in 1932 to honor members of the military wounded or killed during enemy action.
Reed said he wrote members of Congress, the secretary of defense and even the president.
"The most help I got was from Cornyn's office," he said.
He said he was deluged with letters of support after a story in the Houston Chronicle last week about Reed being told he would have to buy his own medal. "Some people even sent me checks to pay for the medal," he said.
"I'm especially proud of having this for my family," Reed said. He and his wife, Frances, have three children, eight grandchildren and eight great-granchildren.
He said he often wears a cap proclaiming he's a veteran.
"You know, they often call that the forgotten war," Reed said. "As long as I'm around it won't be forgotten."
richard.stewart@chron.com
Don’t hold back, tell us how you feel! ;o)
Um, I’d like to know how he got away with that hair while in uniform? Or is this one of his AWOL pictures?
'The Department of Veterans Affairs has established a national suicide hotline for veterans in crisis.' It will be hosted out of Canandaigua, N.Y., and works with HHS.
The VA suicide hotline number is 1-800-273-TALK (8255). [(Biloxi) Sun Herald]
A Tribute To Veterans
Jerry Calow
In Vietnam, Korea and World Wars Past
Our Men Fought Bravely so Freedom Would Last
Conditions Where Not Always Best They Could Be
Fighting a Foe You Could Not Always See:
From Mountain Highs to Valley Lows
From Jungle Drops to Desert Patrols
Our Sinewy Sons Were Sent Over Seas
Far From Their Families And Far From Their Dreams
They Never Wrote Letters Of Hardships Despair
Only Of Love, Yearning That One Day Soon:
They Would Come Home, They Would Resume
And Carry On With The Rest of Their Lives
The P.O.W.’S Stood Steadfast
Against the Indignities And Cruelties Of War
They Could Not Have Lasted as Long as They Did
If They Had Relinquished Their Hope That Some Day:
They Would Come Home, They Would Resume
And Carry On the Rest Of Their Lives
Medics, Nurses, and Chaplains Alike
Did What They Needed To Bring Back Life
They Served Our Forces From Day Into Night
Not Questioning If They Would Survive:
They Mended Bones And Bodies Too,
They Soothed the Spirits of Dying Souls
And for Those M.I.A’S, Who Were Left Behind
We Echo This Message Across the Seas
We Will search For as Long As It Takes
You’re Not Forgotten And Will Always Be:
In Our Hearts, In Our Prayers,
In Our Minds For All Time
A Moment of Silence, a Moment of Summons
Is Their Deliverance of Body And Soul
To a Sacred Place That We All Know
Deep In the Shrines of Our Soul:
In Our Hearts, In Our Prayers
In Our Minds For All Time
INTERLUDE:
GOLD STAR MOTHERS GRIEVE: ENDLESSLY,
ENDLESSLY, ENDLESSLY.......
These Immortalized Soldiers Whose Bravery Abounds
They’re Our Husbands, Fathers, and Sons
They Enlisted For the Duty at Hand
To Serve the Cause of Country and Land:
They Had Honor, They Had Valor,
They Found Glory That Change Them Forever
Men Standing Tall and Proud They be
A Country Behind Them in a Solemn Sea
So Let the Flags of Freedom Fly
Unfurled in Their Majesty High:
In the Sun, In the Rain
In the Winds Across This Land
Years of Tears Has Brought Us Here
Gathering Around to Hear This Sound
So Let the Flags of Freedom Fly
Unfurled in Their Majesty High:
In the Sun, In the Rain,
In the Winds Across This Land
REPEAT:
In the Sun, In the Rain,
In the Winds For All Time
FREEDOM IN AMERICA...
Nicci Veltri, Age 14
Submitted May 19, 2003
This poem was written to thank all of the soldiers who have served in the military in the past and those who are currently serving in the military, like my sister. Thank you!
Soldiers in war sacrificed their lives,
Leaving behind their children and wives,
The thought of never coming home again,
Kept them going from beginning to end,
Fighting for freedom was the purpose of the war,
Many gave up their lives for us to have more.
One time a year on Memorial Day,
We each thank them in a special way.
American freedom is a mystery to me,
Without it what would the next day for me be?
When we are eligible we vote for who’s right,
We have a say in who rules if we might.
Living in America as you can see, is
A place where I can grow up to be free.
Freedom to laugh freedom to cry,
Freedom to ask and answer why,
Freedom to believe in whatever you do,
Freedom to dress, and just to be you.
To me our freedom is a dream come true,
But I wish that it was shared with everyone, not just me and you
A soldier is brave, a soldier is true,
To his or her country and protects me and you.
Memorial Day is not once only a year,
But we can remember everyday, to be sincere.
Remember those who died, and keep those who lived in thought,
But never forget the reason why we fought...
FREEDOM
Thankfully he sent them back...........he did didn't he?
Flag etiquette
A bill that recently passed the Senate finally makes it clear that current and former military personnel can now salute the flag even if they aren’t wearing their uniforms.
The change to U.S. Code Title 4, Chapter 1 introduced by U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) passed the Senate July 25. The old law said veterans and service members not in uniform should place their hand over their heart when they stand before the flag, but it never made it clear whether they could or should salute the flag. Inhofe said he believed it was the appropriate way for the 25 million U.S. veterans to show their patriotism.
“The salute is a form of honor and respect, representing pride in one’s military service,” Senator Inhofe said in a news release. “Veterans and service members continue representing the military services even when not in uniform.”
I don't know if he did or not. I feel like thats between him and the people who sent the checks. Why do you ask?
Because it wasn't stated.......
I'll see if I can find his address or phone number for you.
"Because I'm the one that's selling them!"
You're obviously looking for an argument of some sort which you won't get from me. Try another thread.....
Not me, just trying to help you out.
Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that.
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