FReeper Canteen ~ The Purple Heart ~ 08 August 2019

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ The FReeper Canteen Presents ~

The Purple Heart…237 Years Old!

Canteen Mission Statement

Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

President Trump awarded a Purple Heart to Army Sgt. 1st Class Alvaro Barrientos on April 22 at Walter Reed Military Medical Center. Barrientos was wounded last month in Afghanistan and lost part of his right leg.

The Purple Heart is an American decoration - the oldest military decoration in the world in present use and the first American award made available to the common soldier. It was initially created as the Badge of Military Merit by one of the world’s most famed and best-loved heroes - General George Washington. The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the armed forces of the U.S. who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action. It is specifically a combat decoration.

General Washington is often pictured as a cold, stern soldier, a proud aristocrat. Yet we know he showed sympathy and concern for his troops, and was not too proud to pray humbly on his knees for his beloved country and for the men who served it, and him, so bravely and loyally. His keen appreciation of the importance of the common soldier in any campaign impelled him to recognize outstanding valor and merit by granting a commission or an advance in rank to deserving individuals.

In the summer of 1782 he was ordered by the Continental Congress to cease doing so...there were no funds to pay the soldiers, much less the officers!

Deprived of his usual means of reward, he must have searched for a substitute. Shortly after receiving the “stop” order from Congress, he wrote his memorable General Orders of August 7, 1782, which read in part as follows:

”The General, ever desirous to cherish virtuous ambition in his soldiers as well as foster and encourage every species of military merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings, over his left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of unusual gallantry but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way shall meet with due reward. The name and regiment of the persons so certified are to be enrolled in a Book of Merit which shall be kept in the orderly room.” The order further states: “Men who have merited this distinction to be suffered to pass all guards and sentinels which officers are permitted to do. The order to be retroactive to the earliest stages of the war, and to be a permanent one.”

Washington ended his order with: “The road to glory in a patriot army and a free country is thus open to all.”

Link here

After 150 years of disuse, The newly rediscovered description of the Badge of Merit from Washington’s General Orders provided General John J. Pershing with an inspiration for a new decoration for “lesser” acts. In 1921, as the Army Chief of Staff, Pershing began organizing the revival of Washington’s Badge. His effort was continued by his successor, General Charles Pelot Summerall.

After becoming the Army Chief of Staff, General Douglas MacArthur finalized the renewal of the nation’s oldest military decoration in 1932, just in time for the 200th Anniversary of Washington’s birth.

MacArthur named the new award the “Purple Heart”, rather than the Badge of Military Merit, and changed the definition of meritorious service to include combat wounds.

On February 22, 1932, the U.S. War Department created the Purple Heart decoration in the shape of a rich purple heart bordered with gold, with a bust of Washington in the center and Washington’s coat-of-arms at the top.

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Aug. 8, 2007) - When Gen. George Washington created the Purple Heart Medal in 1872, he probably never envisioned it would be so huge. Literally.

Artist Roger Baker mowed a 1,000-foot long rendition of the medal, covering 850,000 square feet, into a field at Thomas Bull Memorial Park in Hamtonburgh, N.Y., near the town where the first awards were presented to Revolutionary War Soldiers. Mr. Baker said his creation is a “gift of art” to the American public.

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[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

August 8

A Legacy of Faith

Bible in a Year : Psalms 74–76; Romans 9:16–33

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice. 2 Timothy 1:5

Long before the decisive moment when Billy Graham came to faith in Christ at age sixteen, his parents’ devotion to Jesus was evident. They’d both come to faith while growing up within a family of believers. After their marriage, Billy’s parents continued that legacy by lovingly nurturing their children, including praying and reading Scripture and attending church faithfully with them. The solid foundation Graham’s parents laid for Billy was part of the soil God used to bring him to faith and, eventually, to his calling as a bold evangelist.

The apostle Paul’s young protégé Timothy also benefited from a strong spiritual foundation. Paul wrote, “Your sincere faith . . . first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice” (2 Timothy 1:5). This legacy helped prepare and steer Timothy’s heart toward faith in Christ.

Now Paul urged Timothy to carry on this faith tradition (v. 5), to “fan into flame the gift of God” within him through the Holy Spirit, who “gives us power” (vv. 6–7). Because of the power of the Spirit, Timothy could fearlessly live for the gospel (v. 8). A strong spiritual legacy doesn’t guarantee we’ll come to faith, but the example and mentoring of others can help prepare the way. And after we receive Jesus as Savior, the Spirit will guide us in service, in living for Him, and even in nurturing the faith of others.

By Alyson Kieda

Reflect & Pray

Who or what did God use to help to lay the foundation for your faith? How can you help to do this in someone’s life today?

God, thank You for the believers who helped shape my faith. Help me to rely on Christ’s Spirit for the strength to boldly witness for You. 

[Jet Jaguar]

Hi Ma.

[PROCON]

Thanks for honoring those who are rightfully honored for battlefield wounds they received in Service to our Country!

I honor and thank my friend, ConorMacNessa tonight!

[lightman]

G’Evenin’, everyone!

Stay safe.

[Publius]

Sergei Rachmaninov plays “The Star Spangled Banner”

[mountainlion]

Many of my family fought and some died in the wars form the beginning of this country. One is in the USS Arizona. One was in the Battle of Long Island. One was an Admiral. Most made it home which I am happy to be a member of.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

Well...we made it through hump day.

Are you getting good rest during the day?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, JJ...all your jets happy and cool?

Pushing 80 here today.

[Jet Jaguar]

Well my truck thermo read 114. But, I’m told we hit 99. Jets are good to go.

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ The Purple Heart ~

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies' military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

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[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Pro...a good work day?

The Purple Heart...for those who earned it.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, lightman...staying safe is most important.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Publius, and thank you for Rachmaninov’s “The Star Spangled Banner”.

Is it really hot still?

We are pushing 80 and for us that is HOT!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

In first....The Mayor grabs the gold!!

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

THANK YOU
for your service!

[Publius]

It’s been between 107 and 117 for high temps. It won’t break below 90 until October.

[Kathy in Alaska]

And in second....JJ snags the silver!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

And rounding out the top three....Pro bags the bronze!!