Due to the current Presidential campaign, there has been a lot of talk about medals and why they are awarded and the process for doing so.  Everyone has an opinion on whether or not they are deserved for one particular soldier, but no one seems to be looking at the big issues here.

First of all, to understand the issue, you really do need to understand WHY and HOW medals are awarded.  The Purple Heart, for example, dates back to 1782 and is the ONLY decoration for which service people automatically qualify based on a set of defined criteria (as opposed to being recommended and subsequently approved).  The criteria, which can be found in full detail here, specify that the injury must be combat related and provide clear requirements which must be met.  On the other hand, other medals are awarded based on various criteria and ONLY upon approval at some command level (this varies by the award).  Again, there are strict regulations for all decorations which are awarded, but especially for those based on meritous service, such as the Bronze Star and, of course, the Medal of Honor. Each medal means something, and none are handed out just because they would look pretty on the recipient's uniform.

So, why am I making such a big deal of this?  Well, the current debate over medals, being waged solely for selfish political reasons saddens and disturbs me.  While everyone is focusing on one soldier, the fact that ANY medals (which have been, by all official accounts, correctly awarded according to the set standards and processes) are being questioned, by proxy calls into question the decorations of EVERY soldier.  It used to be that the WWII veteran who proudly acknowledged his reciept of the Purple Heart was praised as a hero.  Now every kid on the street “knows” that Grandpa isn't special because they just give those awards out to anybody, because that is what they say on TV.  It makes me very angry that our distinguished veterans, who have served and sacrificed to give us all freedoms that we enjoy (including the ability to debate and select our leaders), are now being demoted in the public's mind because of the heated, selfish debate over one man. And I am angry at anyone, whatever their side of this argument, who makes it an issue at all.  Because, in a month, when the election is past and some sanity has returned, I am afraid that the legacy of this campaign will be the diminshed respect for our veterans.

So the next time you see a veteran with a Purple Heart license plate, don't condemn him for flaunting some stupid meaningless symbol.  Shake his hand, thank him for his service, and remember the sacrifice that he has made so that you can live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.