Purple Heart presentation

Padre101 said:
You don't say "Congrats" to a Purple Heart recipient.
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A minority opinion I am sure and I am not a PH recipient but I have been in units with over 100 recipients and served four combat deployments in light infantry and artillery units. I think this is overblown. Congratulations isn't the most appropriate word but I have heard it said before and by those in uniform including those who were the recipients of the award themselves to fellow recipients. Having the honor of visiting Wounded Warriors at WRAMC while a commander there really are no adequate words for this award or valor awards.

This is another case of the media and a political agenda looking for controversy.
 
emwvmi01 said:
A minority opinion I am sure and I am not a PH recipient but I have been in units with over 100 recipients and served four combat deployments in light infantry and artillery units. I think this is overblown. Congratulations isn't the most appropriate word but I have heard it said before and by those in uniform including those who were the recipients of the award themselves to fellow recipients. Having the honor of visiting Wounded Warriors at WRAMC while a commander there really are no adequate words for this award or valor awards.

This is another case of the media and a political agenda looking for controversy.
Click to expand...

There is nothing political about it. It is about understanding the significance of the medal.

If Barack Hussein Obama said "Congratulations" to a Purple Heart recipient, I would say the same thing. The question is would you?
 
I bow to no one in my disdain and disrespect for the man, Donald Trump. However, I do believe he is genuinely moved by the sacrifice of members of the military and their families...probably because, like me, it is so far from his life experience. I can't say I would have done any better.

President Trump arrived in office completely inexperienced in all things military and expresses himself "inartfully" on the best of days. I think it stands out because his predecessor, who was equally inexperienced in military matters, was a seasoned pro at "artful" expression.
 
I agree, it is "awkward" to say congratulations, where it might be more appropriate to simply thank them for their sacrifice and courage while in harms way.

Regardless, it is hardly an impeachable offense, but just a little bit "cringeworthy."
 
I appreciate the replies, and must admit that I am probably primed to be offended. I find the inartful communication symptomatic of lackluster control of knowledge. I am a bit afraid we are going to land somewhere we don't want to because of it. Words matter in international relations and in life. I am afraid too much of our President's perception of war comes from movies
 
Folks, this has been an informative discussion but let's not start "Oh this President said this" and "That President said that..." and such, please?

I've awarded a LOT of decorations in my career; fortunately I never had to award a Purple Heart medal. However...honestly, I don't know "off the cuff" what I'd say. It's so easy to congratulate the recipient of a decoration; it's almost a habit pattern. However...congratulations for this one? Perhaps congratulations that they are alive and healing and that we're able to help them to return to their life.

Probably, now that I've thought of it, I'd take what we say to a spouse when presenting the flag at a funeral..."Oh behalf of a grateful nation..." and adjust as necessary.

But I don't know.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
I have met a few MOH awardees, and I felt terribly tongue-tied as I stared at that blue ribbon around their necks. Most of them are really cool about it, saying they just did their duty and anyone would have done the same in the moment, accustomed to putting people at ease.
 
I did a number of those flag presentations and was glad for a "script." It is a powerful privilege to be there at that moment with a surviving spouse representing the USMC and the veteran's country.

I ran into one MOH recipient while on active duty and was tongue tied and could barely think of anything to say.
 
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