FReeper Canteen ~ The Purple Heart Medal...238 Years Old! ~ 06 August 2020

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ The FReeper Canteen Presents ~

The Purple Heart Medal … 238 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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[PROCON]

Thanks for tonight’s Canteen, Kathy!

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

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

THANK YOU
for your service!

[mountainlion]

Got a couple of those, one over 50 years ago and another about 8 years ago, it was about 44 years late. My wounds were not serious like many but hitting a land mine sure modifies ones hearing. I am fortunate as many did not survive the award.

[The Mayor]

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

August 6

In the Father’s Ways

Bible in a Year:

• Psalms 70–71
• Romans 8:22–39

They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.

1 Samuel 8:3

In the 1960s, the bustling community of North Lawndale, on Chicago’s West Side, was a pilot community for interracial living. A handful of middle-class African Americans bought homes there on “contract”—that combined the responsibilities of home ownership with the disadvantages of renting. In a contract sale, the buyer accrued no equity, and if he missed a single payment, he would immediately lose his down payment, all his monthly payments, and the property itself. Unscrupulous sellers sold at inflated prices, then the families were evicted when they missed a payment. Another family would buy on contract, and the cycle fueled by greed just kept going.

Samuel appointed his sons judges over Israel, and they were driven by greed. His sons “did not follow his ways” (1 Samuel 8:3). In contrast to Samuel’s integrity, his sons “turned aside after dishonest gain” and used their position to their own advantage. This unjust behavior displeased the elders of Israel and God, putting in motion a cycle of kings that fills the pages of the Old Testament (vv. 4–5).

To refuse to walk in God’s ways allows room for the perversion of those values, and as a result injustice flourishes. To walk in His ways means honesty and justice are clearly seen not only in our words but in our deeds as well. Those good deeds are never an end in themselves but always that others may see and honor our Father in heaven.

By:  John Blase Reflect & Pray

What current example of injustice are you aware of? What is one way you can work toward justice in that example?

God, injustice surrounds us on every side, often overwhelming our hearts. Help me to stand with those who suffer and commit my life to walking in Your ways.

To learn more about the life and time of Samuel, visit bit.ly/2pJSpwu.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Pro...hope you are finally cooling down.

[real saxophonist]

Gladly, I didn’t get one of those. The ‘crop circle’ one is pretty cool.

[real saxophonist]

I use ‘Purple Heart’ stamps all the time.

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ The Purple Heart Medal...238 Years Old! ~

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Showing support and boosting the morale of
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Honoring those who have served before.

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[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

Hump Day! I hope there’s some breathing room ahead for the next few days.

[MoochPooch]

Hi Kathy!

[radu]

Howdy, PRO.

Having a laid back week so far?

Except for the rowdy cats, it’s been pretty laid back here.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, radu...any relief from the heat? Rain in the forecast?

It’s 75 right now at my house. Some sunny sky and some rain-looking clouds outside now.

[PROCON]

Yo radu!

Nothing much going on here so far, it's much cooler this week which means son and I will be heading out to our range Friday; wanted to go last week but it was too hot.

The results of our election primaries we had yesterday doesn't bode well for much sanity returning to our state, but there's always hope, but not much.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

We thank you for your service to our country.

[radu]

We’ve been a little cooler the past couple of days. One more day of it, then the heat rolls back in. No rain lately and little chance of it ahead. :-(

The radar up there looks like ours has too many times - - rain in the mountains but not moving over them where we want it.

[radu]

Oh boy! Range time ahead! I know you two have a great time when you go.

Our primaries are tomorrow though I voted early this year. The Senate race has gotten really ugly at the last minute and will be one to watch.
And of course, I hope the fella I’ve been working for wins in our Congressional race.

I feel for you and the insanity you live with.

[lightman]

The Purple Heart postage stamp is my default...use it exclusively except during the Nativity season.

[FroggyTheGremlim]

I am infinitely proud that my father received the Purple Heart as a result of his machine gun wound at the battle of the Argonne Forest, Sept 28, 1918, WWI.

Of course he didn’t receive the medal itself until the 1930’s.