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Powell Presents Purple Hearts; Postal Service Reissues Stamp Honoring Medal
American Forces Press Service ^ | 8/7/07 | John J. Kruzel

Posted on 08/07/2007 3:25:51 PM PDT by Dubya

Powell Presents Purple Hearts; Postal Service Reissues Stamp Honoring Medal

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7, 2007 – Retired Army Gen. Colin Powell presented Purple Heart Medals to two wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here today, as the U.S. Postal Service reissued a stamp honoring the medal and those who wear it.

The medal, which features George Washington’s family crest and the first president’s silhouette set against a purple heart, is awarded to U.S. servicemembers wounded by an instrument of war in an enemy’s hands.

Powell received a Purple Heart after a booby trap wounded him in 1963 near the Vietnam-Laos border. The general today told the audience of nearly 150 servicemembers, families, friends, and hospital officials that the Purple Heart is unique because it’s “the only decoration which you are entitled to as a wounded warrior.”

“You may be recommended for other decorations, but this is the one that you are entitled to,” he said. “It is something that is owed to all of our wounded warriors by a grateful nation, and is given in the name of the president.

“It’s the least the American people can do to recognize those of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who have been willing to step forward to serve the nation, serve the cause of peace, freedom and democracy around the world,” the general said.

Powell presented Purple Hearts to two such servicemembers who were wounded by improvised explosive devices in separate incidents in Iraq: Army Sgt. Robert Evans, of 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, from Fort Benning, Ga., and Army Pfc. Marcus LaBadie of 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, from Fort Hood, Texas.

“Because I have a Purple Heart now, and because I’ve been through it and I’ve walked in their shoes, I have more respect for the other soldiers who have Purple Hearts,” Evans said after Powell pinned his shirtfront with the medal.

Civilians who wish to honor Purple Heart recipients now need to look no further than their local post office. John Potter, postmaster general and chief executive officer of the U.S. Postal Service, and Powell unveiled an eight-foot replica of the Purple Heart stamp that today becomes available to the public.

“The reason that we’re here today is because the stamp has touched this nation and its people so deeply, and they’ve let us know that,” Potter said. “It’s not only the stamp itself that resonates so strongly, (but) it’s what the stamp stands for, what it represents.”

The stamp commemorates servicemembers’ sense of duty, dedication to service, spirit of valor, and willingness to sacrifice, the postmaster general said.

“By using the Purple Heart stamp on their cards and letters, our citizens salute you and your role in protecting our great nation,” Potter said.

The 41-cent stamp is the third issue of the Purple Heart postage stamp and goes on sale nationally today to coincide with two significant dates in the medal’s history. Today marks the 225th anniversary of the Badge of Military Merit, the predecessor of the Purple Heart Medal, which was first awarded 75 years ago.

Army Maj. Gen. Elder Granger, deputy director of the Tricare Management Activity, thanked audience members for helping acknowledge one of the country’s oldest military badges by witnessing the stamp’s unveiling.

“This is truly a legacy in terms of the Postal Service and their support of our men and women in uniform services,” he said.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: purpleheart; stamps; usps
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1 posted on 08/07/2007 3:25:52 PM PDT by Dubya
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To: All

I have a great deal of respect for Gen. Powell.


2 posted on 08/07/2007 3:26:51 PM PDT by Dubya (Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,but by me)
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To: Dubya

I once did, but the way he and Richard Armitage let the White House hang in the wind as everybody and their dog was looking for Robert Novak’s source was despicable. He was supposed to be loyal to the President. I think he dishonored the uniform he used to wear and is now unqualified to present military medals to anyone.


3 posted on 08/07/2007 3:47:31 PM PDT by McGarrett (Book'em Danno)
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To: Dubya

Did John Kerry aprove of this message??????.....


4 posted on 08/07/2007 3:54:41 PM PDT by GitmoSailor (AZ Cold War Vet===Fairness Doctrine for TV First!!!!!.....I'Am With Fred)
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To: Dubya

I’ll have to come down on the side of ‘used to’ myself.

Powell’s comments about the war have been unfortunate IMO. There are other issues as well, but this will suffice.

It’s distrubing for me to see certain people lofted, to conduct certan functions after they have jumped the shark.

It’s just my opinion, but I think this guy has.


5 posted on 08/07/2007 4:00:03 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (Victory will never be achieved while defining Conservatism downward, and forsaking it's heritage.)
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To: McGarrett

Gotta agree...


6 posted on 08/07/2007 4:00:47 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (Victory will never be achieved while defining Conservatism downward, and forsaking it's heritage.)
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To: DoughtyOne

Me too.


7 posted on 08/07/2007 4:26:19 PM PDT by freekitty
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To: McGarrett

As a soldier he was a great politician.


8 posted on 08/07/2007 4:30:37 PM PDT by csmusaret (Mnimum wage today; maximum wage tomorrow. It's the Socialist way.)
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To: McGarrett
Image hosted by Photobucket.com thank you...
9 posted on 08/07/2007 4:30:52 PM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist)
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To: Dubya

Nice looking stamp.


10 posted on 08/07/2007 4:31:19 PM PDT by upchuck (Today there are 10,000 more illegal aliens in yer country than there were yesterday. 10,000! THINK!)
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To: freekitty

Thanks. Have a nice evening.


11 posted on 08/07/2007 4:31:57 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (Victory will never be achieved while defining Conservatism downward, and forsaking it's heritage.)
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To: DoughtyOne

Ahhh, but it is sweet to see the heart revalued after its devaluation under sKerry! Gonna get me a book of stamps tomorrow! look at it as ‘Today...Powell, Tomorrow...Hal Moore’


12 posted on 08/07/2007 7:24:03 PM PDT by CRBDeuce
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To: CRBDeuce

Yes, after Kerry it was sortof like Carter winning the Nobel Peace prize. All of a sudden it meant absolutely nothing.

Still, those who support the military weren’t fooled about what the Purple Heart stood for. You and I just saw what an utter ass Kerry had always been.

Take care.


13 posted on 08/07/2007 7:27:55 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (Victory will never be achieved while defining Conservatism downward, and forsaking it's heritage.)
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To: Dubya
Can't respect a person who would support that idiot Obama, undermine the United States efforts in Desert Storm, turn his back on those serving in Somalia or allow Libby to get screwed over by his lackey Armitage.

As Schwarzkopf is quoted in "The General's War":

"Powell is a political genius ... but he lacks the stomach for war."

14 posted on 08/07/2007 8:18:48 PM PDT by A.A. Cunningham
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