WP: Price of Sacrifice (Vietnam dead hero's medals auctioned on E-bay)

[diamond14]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64851-2004May28.html

Price of Sacrifice
To the Highest Bidder Go the Symbols of A Soldier's Courage

By Michael E. Ruane
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, May 29, 2004; Page C01


Dick Frazier's war medals went up for public auction the evening of April 28. They included his Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with the V, for valor, which he got after his armored gun truck was ambushed on the road to Khe Sanh in February 1971.

President Nixon wrote a condolence letter to his wife, praying she would be sustained by the "eternal" respect her husband's courage deserved. The letter also was up for sale on eBay, the Internet auction site, this month.

For the emblems of his courage, the opening bid was $125.

They can come from flea markets, estate sales and from the veterans themselves. Alexandria dealer and collector Jeffrey Floyd said he once acquired the medals of a World War II fighter ace at a garage sale. "It was just stuff to him," Floyd said. "They had been in his sock drawer for 20 years."

..............He explained that after his brother was killed, Dick's daughter, Marti, was adopted and raised by his parents, who are now deceased. He said Marti Frazier has been largely out of touch with the family for many years.

In the end, eBay received 20 bids for Dick Frazier's war medals and presidential letter. The final price, with shipping, was $362.01.

[leesa]

1. I wonder if Dubya bought them. Then he could really be a fighter

ace in Viet Nam like he pretends to be.

[Bandit]

2. I guess that old saying a Purple Heart and a dollar will get you a cup of

coffee is no longer the absolute truth. The presidential letter may be worth something but medals can be bought easily for much much less.