7 August is Purple Heart Day, when in 1782 George Washington created and authorized the medal, originally a simple design with For Merit written across the face. Fun fact: the original award was for any meritorious act, not as we now know it to be for injuries incurred through enemy action. 
The medal was only awarded to three people for the Revolutionary War, and then largely forgotten after the book inscribing the awardees was lost (all the love to the S1, but this sounds like the most Army thing to happen in all of Army. They really mean it when they say “keep the original copy”). 150 years later the Military Order of the Purple Heart was established as the medal was revived through the combined efforts of two successive Army Chiefs of Staff: Generals Summerall and MacArthur. But what does the Purple Heart really mean to those who receive it?Now bearing the profile of the first POTUS, the medal is one of those few you hope not to receive during your time in service. I sometimes refer to mine as “The Enemy Marksmanship Award” and conversations among fellow “zigged-when-I-should-have-zagged” medal recipients frequently start with an off-hand “so when did you forget to duck?”In a recent interview, I was asked what the award means to me and it took a surprising amount of thought. I think of my medal as a reminder of those who were not as lucky, who didn’t come home or had far worse injuries. I think of the struggle my command went through to grant the award since the blast that resulted in one major neurosurgery and multiple residual surgeries was nevertheless not linked to the injury immediately, because who in 2005 thought that my blackouts and dizziness that afternoon and evening (and until today) were symptoms of a severe brain bleed? Particularly in a woman, when us ladies already don’t see many Purple Hearts (The MOPH only lists maybe 100 female Veterans as members, and the total number is well under 750 women recipients for all wars), it took multiple commands along with ranking military doctors nearly 6 years and several appeals to push the award through. So I look at it as something not that I received and should receive anything from, but as something instead I need to live up to. Others sacrificed more, others did so much, others never received the medal… there’s always a running dialogue in my head when someone asks about my medal. The surgery went through my face; I don’t even have a cool scar to show someone.It’s what it means to others that matters.Despite the awkward feeling it gives when someone says “Congratulations” for a Purple Heart (Other PH Veterans, do you get that, too? How would one respond? “Thanks for noticing I got blown up? For finding the bomb I’d reported was there two weeks prior by using my face?” I love the respect, but is it really congratulations?), it is worth it when it allows even one new person to hear our stories. It allows someone to ask questions, and to remember there are only a few who raised their hand to say “pick me” when they knew this medal could be a possibility. That sacrifice is something we share as a group, and is something we all notice regardless of politics.I was reminded today of a West Wing episode, one in which the Communications Director and perpetual cynic Toby Ziegler discovers a deceased homeless Veteran received a Purple Heart in the Korean War, and decides he will stop at nothing to see the man buried with full military honors. It is this award that prompts him to act, sidestepping normal convention and even invoking the President’s name (without permission) to do so. President Bartlet, annoyed, pulls Toby into the Oval Office and asks if Toby is concerned this will set a precedent for other homeless Veterans.Toby’s response? “I can only hope so, Sir.”
The medal was only awarded to three people for the Revolutionary War, and then largely forgotten after the book inscribing the awardees was lost (all the love to the S1, but this sounds like the most Army thing to happen in all of Army. They really mean it when they say “keep the original copy”). 150 years later the Military Order of the Purple Heart was established as the medal was revived through the combined efforts of two successive Army Chiefs of Staff: Generals Summerall and MacArthur. But what does the Purple Heart really mean to those who receive it?Now bearing the profile of the first POTUS, the medal is one of those few you hope not to receive during your time in service. I sometimes refer to mine as “The Enemy Marksmanship Award” and conversations among fellow “zigged-when-I-should-have-zagged” medal recipients frequently start with an off-hand “so when did you forget to duck?”In a recent interview, I was asked what the award means to me and it took a surprising amount of thought. I think of my medal as a reminder of those who were not as lucky, who didn’t come home or had far worse injuries. I think of the struggle my command went through to grant the award since the blast that resulted in one major neurosurgery and multiple residual surgeries was nevertheless not linked to the injury immediately, because who in 2005 thought that my blackouts and dizziness that afternoon and evening (and until today) were symptoms of a severe brain bleed? Particularly in a woman, when us ladies already don’t see many Purple Hearts (The MOPH only lists maybe 100 female Veterans as members, and the total number is well under 750 women recipients for all wars), it took multiple commands along with ranking military doctors nearly 6 years and several appeals to push the award through. So I look at it as something not that I received and should receive anything from, but as something instead I need to live up to. Others sacrificed more, others did so much, others never received the medal… there’s always a running dialogue in my head when someone asks about my medal. The surgery went through my face; I don’t even have a cool scar to show someone.It’s what it means to others that matters.Despite the awkward feeling it gives when someone says “Congratulations” for a Purple Heart (Other PH Veterans, do you get that, too? How would one respond? “Thanks for noticing I got blown up? For finding the bomb I’d reported was there two weeks prior by using my face?” I love the respect, but is it really congratulations?), it is worth it when it allows even one new person to hear our stories. It allows someone to ask questions, and to remember there are only a few who raised their hand to say “pick me” when they knew this medal could be a possibility. That sacrifice is something we share as a group, and is something we all notice regardless of politics.I was reminded today of a West Wing episode, one in which the Communications Director and perpetual cynic Toby Ziegler discovers a deceased homeless Veteran received a Purple Heart in the Korean War, and decides he will stop at nothing to see the man buried with full military honors. It is this award that prompts him to act, sidestepping normal convention and even invoking the President’s name (without permission) to do so. President Bartlet, annoyed, pulls Toby into the Oval Office and asks if Toby is concerned this will set a precedent for other homeless Veterans.Toby’s response? “I can only hope so, Sir.” 
President Bartlet forgives the transgression and does not call off the funeral. Toby is joined for the ceremony in Arlington by Barlett’s Executive Secretary Mrs. Landingham, who also reveals her twin sons were killed in Vietnam having postponed medical school to serve. The holiday choir singing against the funeral backdrop, shot in Arlington among brothers and sisters-in-arms, gives chills every time.
That’s the power the medal had in this episode, enough to convince a President to forgive falsifying his name on the request and a community’s respect beyond the social status or even the conflict fought. And while it’s a fictional story told in the 90’s, the parallels to conversations I have with those who may not much care for the military or certain military actions are pervasive. I find no matter the feelings or the politics of the other party, the knowledge of the award crosses boundaries.
Supporting those who gave.
There is a certain respect for all who serve, drafted or volunteer. While no one goes with the intent to receive the Purple Heart, there is that possibility hanging in the air from the moment you take the oath. That is, of course, what has launched some 46,000 non-profits aiming to help them (you can start to sort them here).
For those who did have that Really Bad Day, however, there are specific organizations acknowledging these individuals and assisting them in additional benefits and services.
Military Order of the Purple Heart - Providing advocacy, benefits information and coordination, and activities to Purple Heart recipients and their families, is perhaps the best known organization devoted to those injured due to enemy action. (If your chapter isn’t listed, please add it here!)
VA Hospitals - All VAs prioritize recipients for speedy medical care and appointments.
Other VA and Federal Benefits - The Forever GI Bill is accessible to all Purple Heart recipients, regardless of time on active service. Additionally, federal hiring gives additional preference points to those with the medal.
State Benefits - Most states have some benefit, and even some cities. Everything from state schools providing tuition to access to parks and services might be offered. Check with your city (like in Philly, for a quick shout out to a growing community) or state Veteran Services, or your regional VA office for more information.
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| President Bartlet, in an unrelated but true comment. |
Most of these organizations are service era independent, free of politics and drama, and aim to provide some sense of comfort to those who made a physical sacrifice for their service at the hand of the enemy. So for those of you who zigged when you should have zagged, or stood when you should have ducked, or just looked the wrong way when the radio hopped to the unlucky frequency, be sure to find your benefits. Whether you believe it or not, you certainly earned it.
To all, thank you for taking the time on Purple Heart Day to acknowledge sacrifice, and to instill the hope that we can come together.
The West Wing episode referenced is “In Excelsis Deo” Season 1 Episode 10. It’s pretty amazing.