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FReeper Canteen ~ The Purple Heart....81 years old! ~ 07 August 2013
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

Posted on 08/06/2013 6:00:25 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska




~ 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





TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; military; purpleheart; troopsupport
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To: Kathy in Alaska

I am so humbled to be a member of the precipitants of the Purple Heart. My wounds were slight next to most recipients.

I SEAL team 6 member hat had 9 Purple Hearts. He is my Hero.


61 posted on 08/07/2013 6:39:05 AM PDT by mountainlion (Live well for those that did not make it back.)
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To: All; Kathy in Alaska; beachn4fun; LUV W; Arrowhead1952

Happy Wednesday To The Canteen


Purple Heart Day
Honoring Those In Military Service To Our Country Who Have Been Wounded Or Killed By Enemy Actions



~Our Deep Gratitude For Their Service And Sacrifice~

62 posted on 08/07/2013 7:22:47 AM PDT by MEG33
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To: beachn4fun
Have a good day, beachy...((HUGS))

Off to the salt mines!


63 posted on 08/07/2013 8:27:52 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: StonyBurk

Welcome to the Canteen, StonyBurk.....

I agree with you. Our dead and wounded heroes at Fort Hood have been treated horribly!!


64 posted on 08/07/2013 8:29:31 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Arrowhead1952

Good morning, Arrowhead...((HUGS))...it is actually raining as I leave for work. Hope it keeps up.


65 posted on 08/07/2013 8:30:52 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Kathy in Alaska
Thanks for the ping Kathy, here is a photo of my nephew's medals and yes... There are two Bronze Stars, one with Valor with his six Purple Hearts. God Bless all our men and women that serve!


66 posted on 08/07/2013 8:41:30 AM PDT by DocRock (All they that TAKE the sword shall perish with the sword. Matthew 26:52 Gun grabbers beware.)
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To: LUV W

Got my work done early, went fishing and caught two more crappie and am inside now for most of the afternoon.


67 posted on 08/07/2013 12:48:07 PM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (The Second Amendment is NOT about the right to hunt. It IS a right to shoot tyrants.)
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To: MEG33

Good afternoon Meg and (((HUGS))). It was 102 on the digital overhead when I was coming home.


68 posted on 08/07/2013 12:49:05 PM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (The Second Amendment is NOT about the right to hunt. It IS a right to shoot tyrants.)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Good afternoon Kathy and (((HUGS))). We may have a chance for rain about mid week next week.


69 posted on 08/07/2013 12:50:22 PM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (The Second Amendment is NOT about the right to hunt. It IS a right to shoot tyrants.)
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To: Arrowhead1952

Super that you got I’m some fishing! Supper! :)


70 posted on 08/07/2013 2:13:31 PM PDT by luvie (All my heroes wear camos! Thank you David, Michael, Chris Txradioguy, JJ, CMS, & ALL of you heroes!)
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To: LUV W

Yup, I have some fresh catfish fillets for the wife I need to thaw out. Caught them about a week ago.


71 posted on 08/07/2013 2:44:11 PM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (The Second Amendment is NOT about the right to hunt. It IS a right to shoot tyrants.)
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To: Arrowhead1952

I’ll be there at seven! (I wish!) :)


72 posted on 08/07/2013 3:20:25 PM PDT by luvie (All my heroes wear camos! Thank you David, Michael, Chris Txradioguy, JJ, CMS, & ALL of you heroes!)
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To: Arrowhead1952

(((HUGS)))
We just hit 100.


73 posted on 08/07/2013 3:32:50 PM PDT by MEG33
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To: DocRock
Quite a story he has to tell.....

Our thanks to Fred for his service to our country.


74 posted on 08/07/2013 5:31:00 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: mountainlion
Our thanks to you, mountainlion, for your service to our country.


75 posted on 08/07/2013 5:34:38 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: E.G.C.

Thanks, unique, for the kitty.

E.....#50!!


76 posted on 08/07/2013 5:53:27 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: DocRock

WOW!

God bless him


77 posted on 08/08/2013 3:12:09 AM PDT by beachn4fun (You are either an American - or not!)
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To: beachn4fun
"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."

Good morning, Beachy!

*HUGS*

I meant to comment on the above when you first posted it but was diverted by work. The Fallen and injured of Ft. Hood do indeed deserve the Purple Heart. Despite the characterization of this massacre as "workplace violence" by the Administration, there is no doubt that this was indeed combat and that the perpetrator was an enemy combartant. His statements at his trial the last couple of days reinforce this contention.

Additionally, he has now openly called for the violent overthrow of the United States Government - a blatant act of Treason. He should suffer the consequences of his treason in time of war. Those he murdered and wounded should be awarded Purple Hearts. Were I President, it would be so.


America demands Justice for the Fallen of Benghazi!

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)


78 posted on 08/09/2013 5:09:42 AM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
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