i dont know if they should give the purple heart but there should be some other show of appreciation for their sacrafice. let stigmas be damned. murphys law says if you try to please everyone, no one will like it.
People with PTSD should not get a purple heart in my opinion. If they start giving out purple hearts for PTSD, I guarantee over 90% of soldiers-marines-sailors-airmen coming back from a deployment will start saying they have PTSD, even those who never once left the wire. I have seen it happen myself and it disgusts me.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Florida_Grunt,
Originally posted by Florida_Grunt: People with PTSD should not get a purple heart in my opinion. If they start giving out purple hearts for PTSD, I guarantee over 90% of soldiers coming back from a deployment will start saying they have PTSD, even those who never left the wire not even once. I have seen it happen myself and it disgusts me.
This is true, yet civilians can get PTSD as well. You get it anytime something traumatic happens. Some people get it for a car crash, some for near death experience. I do not believe in a purple heart for PTSD.
Yet there are people that have Purple hearts that don't deserve them either.
IMO the Purple Heart should not be awarded for PTSD, but it doesn't mean that it's not a serious health issue although there are other serious health issues that stem from being in a War Zone that doesn't merit a Purple Heart. The concern should be getting the health care that is needed and not trying to get the same award that the wounded, injured and even worst have earned.
Been there, Done that and I have the shots to prove it.
I personally don't think ptsd should not be enough for too receive the purple heart, i have ptsd and would not except it for that reason.Iwent to nam as a field wireman and ended up being a door gunner, was shot at several times and even tho i have scars on my face from the shrapnel we took fire from my sqad leader never put me in for the purple heart the medic slapped a bandage on it and that was as far as it went even tho the doctors at the v.a. all say my scars are from shrapnel. tough break . im glad they made the right chioce on ptsd.
A flat "NO".The Purple heart is for phyical wounds. For beening wounded while under fire . The purple heart is not for mental wounds if that was the case half of the military forces would award them for every jerk that applied for a section 8!. No one can fatham the depth of mental defects. And a lot of the time it can be faked.And if that was the norm of awarding Purple hearts then some desk jocky in some rear admin area could get one awarded for frecking out with his type writer tape!!!. No I think that the Purple heart should remain as is!!!.I feel sorry for the poor people that get PTSD.but No to the Awarding of the Purple Heart. I think the best reward would be to cure them of the Affliction!!!.Yeap That would be the best thing!!!.
I think we should not give the purple heart to the soldiers,but instead, create a individual war medal for those who suffer from PTSD or related symptoms, that way it will be fair for those who fought and suffered these symptoms, and at the same time the purple heart can still be only given to those who have shed blood in war. So this way it is fair to both sides.
medals medals and still more medalsBoy I sure am a dum azz I always thought Duty Honor and Courage was what military service was all about NOT medals...
"Duty is the most sublime word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less." - Robert E.Lee
After the Civil War we treated PTSD with the slogan "Go West Young Man." After some stuff like "Remember the Maine.", throught out "The Forgotten War", it was called shell shock. In the early vietnam era is was "PVS", or "Post Vietnam Syndrome." Eventually, it was labeled "PTSS.",or "Post-Tramatic Stress Symdrome." Eventually this was diagnosed as what, we today call "PTSD." I just always though a combat wound was a combat wound.
one right decision finally-- just about everyone comes out of combat with some degree of PTSD and they should consider themselves fortunate that they are as in tack as they are. Lessen the esteem given with the PH and you lessen the honor giving to our country. If the PH was given for PTSD everyone looking at your's would want to know if it were for PTSD rather than bullet holes and broken bones. ****! I Have bullet holes broken bones and PTSD so what!
I agree with the Pentagon's review. PTSD, although damaging as it is, is not the same as "shedding blood" or "getting shot. The Purple Heart is not only a matter of being recognized for being hurt in combat, but a matter of honor, in surviving combat, even if it means the loss of life or limb. I was in Vietnam. I served in a combat zone, but that does not mean I deserve a Purple Heart. It demeans the award to say people with PTSD should receive such a medal of valor.
NO WAY NO TIME NO HOW The Purple Heart is not for PTSD sufferers. It is not for people who die or are injured driving their truck off the roadside or falling downstairs or dropping a computer moniter on their foot or suffering a smashed finger while slamming the vehicle door to get moving. It is not for everyone who signs on the line and climbs aboard plane or ship and disappears in tragedy. ---we'll drench the nation in purple dye if you award a Purple Heart to everyone who joins up(or is drafted). ---look at Edward Stumps' quote at the end of the article: "My wounds do not bleed but they have as many scars as alot of other wounds. These wounds will never heal anymore than the scars from any that are from combat-related fighting will disappear." EVERY PARENT, EVERY SPOUSE, EVERY CHILD OF A SERVICE PERSON SENT AWAY IN DEFENSE OF OUR NATION CAN MAKE THE SAME APPEAL.THE ANGUISH SUFFERED BY LOVED ONES WAITING AT HOME, THE UNTOLD TRAMA OF THAT ANGUISH IS AS VALID--particularly for those with education and/or imagination enough to understand--AS EDWARD'S. If awards are needed, pass out teeshirts with a big red heart saying: "I SERVED." Weep and wail and throw-up and hollar, tremble and have bad dreams and more weeping and wailing; then get up and go back to work.And thank God and those who died for you that you can.
