Statement from the National President of VietNam Vets

[raysr]

Thomas Corey:
Washington, D.C.) - Vietnam Veterans of America has received reports of
delegates at the Republican National Convention disseminating and
wearing "Purple Heart" band-aids in mockery of one of nation's most
distinctive honors, the Purple Heart medal.

The Purple Heart is one of the oldest military awards, first introduced
in 1782 by Gen. George Washington to honor the service and sacrifice of
the common soldier and recognize the spirit of volunteerism and selfless
dedication. It was reinstated in 1932. The Purple Heart is awarded to
members of the armed forces who are wounded by the enemy.

The spirit of the award recognizes the personal sacrifice of our troops
without regard to the severity or nature of the wound. It is the
wounding itself that merits the honor. To demean the decoration and the
sacrifice it symbolizes demeans all veterans and the patriots who honor
them.

With our nation's sons and daughters at war to protect global freedom,
demeaning military service in this way is especially hurtful. Vietnam
Veterans of America urges all Americans to decry this type of
outrageous, disrespectful, and infantile behavior.

[in_cog_ni_to]

1. Hear! Hear!

Those SOB are going to pay DEARLY for this! :grr:

[madmax]

2. Is there a link? Thanks n/t

[raysr]

3. Got it e-mail

WAVets4Kerry but there must be a link somewhere.

[madmax]

4. Ok... thanks

[Xipe Totec]

5. Somebody should give Bob Dole a clue

"The spirit of the award recognizes the personal sacrifice of our troops without regard to the severity or nature of the wound."

Its one thing for the Repub delegates to make light of the award. One could argue they're just being their normal brainless selves. Its a different matter when a war veteran like Bob Dole stoops to demean the Purple Heart in such a craven despicable fashion.

He knows better and must be held to a higher standard. He should apologize to John Kerry.



:nuke:

[Red_Viking]

6. Holy sh*t

Purple heart band aids? I've successfully avoided all things RNC this week, save for the protest news. I can't believe they would sink so low.

They support the troops? I don't think so.

Mr. Viagra, Bob Dole, himself received a Purple Heart for nothing more than a scratch. I say that not to deride his service; I think he served bravely and I thank him for it. He's still a douchebag.

Do we need any further proof that these people are callous assholes???

Thanks for sharing this. Hope it has some impact. Wait...what was I thinking? Those folks sold their souls a long time ago.

:dem:

RV

[Disturbed]

8. "wounded by the enemy"

Bob Dole’s 1st Purple Heart

During WW2 Dole threw a grenade at a farm house. It bounced off of a
tree and back at him and his fellow soldiers injuring some of them and him. This was an accidental self-inflicted minor wound.
It was a small piece of metal that entered his leg. It was pulled out and he resumed his activities. He was a awarded a Purple Heart for this. Should he have refused this award? Should he now send it back? These despicable people are mocking him and any other Veteran that has been awarded a Purple Heart for similar incidents.

[Catch22Dem]

12. That was funny

"I think he served bravely and I thank him for it. He's still a douchebag."

Something about that just cracked me up. Good post!

[Hailtothechimp]

7. Could politicizing the military be any more detestable? I think not.

Does this mean every purple heart is now open for ridicule? I sure hope not.

[Zorra]

9. 2 Links:

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Those "purple heart bandages" being worn at the Republican National Convention in New York caused a backlash from the Vietnam Veterans of America.

A statement from national VVA president Thomas Corey relayed through Alabama's VVA State Council said the bandages demean the Purple Heart and the wounded veterans who earned it.

Corey says wearing the bandages "is outrageous, disrespectful and infantile behavior." The bandages mock Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's claim to have earned three Purple Hearts in Vietnam.

http://www.nbc13.com/politics/3699263/detail.html

Purple Heart recipients condemn a GOP delegate's gimmick
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Associated Press

The leader of the Military Order of the Purple Heart said he is angry about the way "purple heart bandages" were used to make a political point.

"I have received numerous calls from members of our organization to protest the misuse of our award," said Robert Lichtenberger, national commander of the group. "They are outraged that an award that has been earned by them for shedding blood on the battlefields of the world would be so denigrated by using it for the purpose of political advantage."

Lichtenberger said he was not making a political statement or supporting a particular candidate. Democratic spokesman Jay Carson said Democrats did not solicit the group's protest.

Thomas Corey, president of Vietnam Veterans of America, said the Purple Heart is one of the oldest military awards in the United States. "To demean the decoration and the sacrifice it symbolizes demeans all veterans and the patriots who honor them," Corey said.

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/109401885939070.xml

[Elwood P Dowd]

13. Some Vets here in Alabama are none too happy about this.

I served in the States during the war, but some of those that went accross the pond are starting to waiver on voting for Bushit.

[ComerPerro]

14. "Kerry's CLAIM to have won three purple hearts" ?????

Umm.... its not as though he is saying he won medals and really didn't.

Its sick that they phrased it that way

[cthrumatrix]

10. the rethuglicans should apologize to ALL vet immediately

[MajorFlaw]

11. Bad move on the Rethug part. Can you imagine the, uh, blowback

if the Dems had worn little spoons in honor of shrub's service.