No Purple Hearts For Stress Cases

[68mustang]

Don't know if this right place to post this, but here goes.

Just read this on the following web site.

68mustang

http://www.mercurynews.com/politics/ci_11402568 site

[MikeR]

Maybe it could be a collateral damage medal, like a guy or gal pulling thier hair out.

[Ron II]

An interesting subject--I have seen this discussed on several other veterans' sites and the overwhelming consensus (including those with PTSD) is that the Purple Heart should not be given for PTSD. Some who have PTSD stated they would not accept the medal if it were offered. Of course this is not a scientific study.

Somewhat related to this subject is the minor movement to award the Purple Heart to those who

presumptively and otherwise, suffer from the effects of Agent Orange (I am SCed for AO exposure and the results).

I, along with many others, would not want a Purple Heart for Agent Orange exposure.

Just some personal opinions...

Ron

Edited January 8, 2009 by Ron II

[john999]

Why is it that mental injuries are not held in the same esteem as physical injuries? If your injury is combat related why not a purple heart? Does s guy with TBI get a PH? Does there have to be blood? If I fall off a bunker during a rocket attack and break my back do I get a PH? If I die from AO exposure maybe DOW should give me an award like barrel of AO with an X through it. Guys were awarded PH's for getting a scratch, but someone with acute combat fatigue that turns into PTSD gets nothing but shame. Mental or emotional disabilites or injuries are still regarded as being a lessor injury.

[evandc]

Forget about Purple Heart for PTSD. It ain't going to happen, never, ever.

I have a new idea. An Orange Heart for those with Agent Orange (Herbicide) connected cancers, illiness etc. You would have to show that you were at least 10% SC from such exposure. Sound crazy??? Makes more sense to me than the Purple Heart. I would never consider wearing a Purple Heart for PTSD, an Orange Heart for S/C Cancer, I could see that.

What do you think?

Don

[Teac]

I don't think it matter one way or the otehr.. Its not going to put more money in anyone's pocket... and another medal is just another medal... once your out no one gives a tinkers damn what medals you earned and while a PH might impress a Kid, for an old coot like me it just means you forgot to duck........

(just an attempt at a little humor dont castrate me now )

[Ron II]

Why is it that mental injuries are not held in the same esteem as physical injuries? If your injury is combat related why not a purple heart? Does s guy with TBI get a PH? Does there have to be blood? If I fall off a bunker during a rocket attack and break my back do I get a PH? If I die from AO exposure maybe DOW should give me an award like barrel of AO with an X through it. Guys were awarded PH's for getting a scratch, but someone with acute combat fatigue that turns into PTSD gets nothing but shame. Mental or emotional disabilites or injuries are still regarded as being a lessor injury.

I don't know if any injury is held in "esteem." I suppose everyone has their own idea with regard to this subject; that is why I indicated "not a scientific study" and "just some personal opinions" in my post.

I agree with Teac about medals--I have quite a few since I was in the service for 23 years, but no one cares except my son and brother and that is quite OK with me.

Sooo...if a person wants a medal for PTSD and/or Agent Orange, then please lobby whomever to get it approved. What it all comes down to in the end, and this applies to me also, one knows what they did or did not do while serving irrespective of what ribbons and medals were placed on their chest.

I once talked to a recruiter who was reviewing his Official Military Personnel File (when they were all paper) and I asked him admiringly about the three Meritorious Service Medals he had already been awarded as a Staff Sergeant/E6. He told me that they were for meeting certain enlistment

quotas during his time as a recruiter. I'm not saying that all recruiters benefited from that "arrangement or process" and maybe he was exaggerating, but that was the perception he left with me--that is, he received those medals for just doing his job.

Again, it's likely no one really cares except one's family.

Oh, and yes I agree that that likely are Purple Heart recipients whose injuries were caused by events such as described in an earlier post.

Ron

Edited January 8, 2009 by Ron II