FReeper Canteen ~ The Purple Heart....81 years old! ~ 07 August 2013

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ The FReeper Canteen Presents ~

The Purple Heart … 78 Years Old!

Canteen Mission Statement

Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

President George W. Bush shakes hands with U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Charles Cozart of Arizona City, Ariz., Thursday, July 3, 2008, after awarding Cozart with a Purple Heart medal and citation at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. Joining the ceremony, background, are his father and mother, Kevin and Sharon Cozart, and his grandparents, Arthur and Betty Cozart. White House photo by Eric Draper

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. 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.

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."

Link here

After 150 years of disuse, The newly rediscovered description of the Badge of Merit from Washington's General Orders provided General John J. Pershing with an inspiration for a new decoration for “lesser" acts. In 1921, as the Army Chief of Staff, Pershing began organizing the revival of Washington's Badge. His effort was continued by his successor, General Charles Pelot Summerall.

After becoming the Army Chief of Staff, General Douglas MacArthur finalized the renewal of the nation's oldest military decoration in 1932, just in time for the 200th Anniversary of Washington's birth.

MacArthur named the new award the "Purple Heart," rather than the Badge of Military Merit, and changed the definition of meritorious service to include combat wounds.

On February 22, 1932, the U.S. War Department created the Purple Heart decoration in the shape of a rich purple heart bordered with gold, with a bust of Washington in the center and Washington’s coat-of-arms at the top.

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Aug. 8, 2007) - When Gen. George Washington created the Purple Heart Medal in 1872, he probably never envisioned it would be so huge. Literally.

Artist Roger Baker mowed a 1,000-foot long rendition of the medal, covering 850,000 square feet, into a field at Thomas Bull Memorial Park in Hamtonburgh, N.Y., near the town where the first awards were presented to Revolutionary War Soldiers. Mr. Baker said his creation is a "gift of art" to the American public.

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Please remember that The Canteen is here to support
and entertain our troops and veterans and their families,
and is family friendly

[Kathy in Alaska]

But, but, but....I thought it was gorebull warming.

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

((HUGS))Good morning, Ladies. How's it going?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, E...((HUGS))...are you doing ok for rain this summer?

You and Bo have a great Wednesday.

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good afternoon/evening/night Troops, wherever you are.

Thank you for doing your part to help keep all of us free and safe.

Thanks, unique, for the pastries.

Coffee is always on........

How about a cupcake?

Cookies?

Pancakes?

Treats?

[Kathy in Alaska]

God bless and keep safe our troops worldwide.

Good night.

Statler Brothers ~ How Great Thou Art

[E.G.C.]

Wednesday Morning Coffee Bump.

Doing OK for rain this summer. May get some more tonight.

[StonyBurk]

And I pray those wounded in the Jihad at Ft.Hood committed by the Traitor and Soldier of Allah Nidal Hasan will soon be awarded the Order of the Purple Heart for even the evil one the shooter has repeatedly admitted it was Jihad —not some unfortunate workplace incident.but Islamic holy war.As we treat our honored dead and our wounded by the enemies hand we ought be treated.

[beachn4fun]

TO THE

(where our troops, allies and their families can refresh themselves)

Good morning, Everyone. Good morning

Thank you, Ma, for preparing the Canteen for today’s activities.
What? No quiz? Whadda am I gonna do? hehe

Although, I always thought
the Purple Heart was awarded to those
injured in combat...
After reading this...
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
I agree that the victims of Fort Hood deserve the medal.

Our local DC Metroland weather report

~ Today...Scattered thunderstorms.

~ Tonight...Scattered thunderstorms.

Another busy day, so I'll try to sneak in
throughout the day to say HEY!

Please stay right where you are.
Keep the troops and their families entertained.

The Canteen is

Come on in and sit for a while.
There's always plenty of coffee, tea,
pancakes, conversation, silliness,
and plain old BS

REMEMBER THEM ~ DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM

BINGHAM, KLAUS JURGEN

5/10/1971
South Vietnam
Presumptive Finding of Death

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before.

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, Beach. How’s it going?

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning to everyone at the Canteen. Austin hit a high of 104º yesterday, but our high at home was 97º.

[PROCON]

Hiya and Happy Humpday Beachie!!

Busy, busy, only 4 more weeks til school starts. The hot weather slows us down too, but better than the Oregon rain!

More coffee is needed...

Have a fantabulous day!

[luvie]

Gooood busy mornin', Early Birds!
Hope y'all aren't working TOO hard this fine day!
It's beautiful this morning...hot later! Ugh!
Have a Wonderful Wednesday, y'all!
((((hugs))))

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning LUV and (((HUGS))). I have to work in the yard today, so better get started early.

[beachn4fun]

good morning EG ((HUGS))

apparently I am not doing to well when I miss the 50 right in front of me! LOL

WOO HOO on getting it!

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, dear((HUGS))

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, Pro ((HUGS))
WOW, only 4 more weeks for school.
and word is they've shortened the furlough time,
which means I have to recalculate labor costs.

Have a scrumptilicious day!

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, night owl ((HUGS))

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, Meg ((HUGS))
I think I missed you yesterday.

[luvie]

Howdy, Arrow! (((hugs)))

You better get crackin’! Don’t want to be out there in the furnace of Texas! Ugh!