Wasnt sure where to put this....
About 15 years ago my great uncle died, he and I were very close, and he was a
well decorated servant of our country in World War 2. He was shot in combat and
made it back to the states eventually. By the time I got to form a relationship
with him, I was very young, 15 minus 21 is 6, that's how old I was when he died.
Which I believe speaks to the impact he had in me.
I still have fond memories of visiting him, sitting on his legless lap in his
wheel chair and listening to stories. Even then I knew how important what he had
to say was even though I'm not sure I understood what he was telling me
entirely. When he passed, he left me a pocket watch he carried his whole life,
and while I would never, ever even consider getting rid of it, one thing I held
in my hand whenever I visited him was his Purple Heart. My mom always explained
to me that he was a hero at that age so that item just felt important, sometimes
I can still feel it in my hand. One of those shiny things raccoon children like
myself just want to put in our shiny box
Anyway, on his death bed his step daughter stole all of his medals, and military
related gear and sold them. Had him cremated and then threw away the ashes. Not
sure if its crack or what it is she needed money for but his step daughter has
never been seen in our family since.
I've always wanted to purchase another Purple Heart to replace it, so I've kept
an eye out, several pawn shops have come and passed, I've seen so many medals
and awards it just sickens me. Who are these people who sell theses badges of
honor? Are they family members who don't care, Vets who NEED the money because
of financial situations?
I was talking to my roommates about it last night and came to a conclusion, I
have no interest in purchasing a "replacement" Purple Heart. I don't want to
support buying them from someone, it was earned through blood sweat and tears.
Travis(sausagecake) mentioned last night posting this on here with the intent to
start a Non for profit organization for Vets or family's with medals or at least
get some ideas on ways to help.
Any ideas? I hate to go to pawnshops where medals and awards just sit under a
case, nameless, and uncounted for , there is a story behind everything and it
needs to be told. I want these people's stories to be told forever.
Travis had mentioned trying to hook up with a museum to see if maybe there could
be a room dedicated to it, so that veterans and family's who either have passed
on, or need money could instead donate the badges, where they can always be seen
and that way in the future when their grandchildren go to the museum they can
see what grandpa put his life on the line for.
Travis other idea was contacting Steven Colbert to see if he could air it, as he
has always been very pro troop and we both feel like if we could get Steven
Colbert to actually understand an idea we could generate he would be all about it
I know some vets would rather die then give up these, when I worked at the
homeless shelter here in Lafayette we had gentlemen who still wore them day in
and day out as if they were still in the war. I still have memories of some of
the Vets from there, miss them a lot too.
Any ideas? Does something like this currently already exist? Anyone else interested?
About 15 years ago my great uncle died, he and I were very close, and he was a
well decorated servant of our country in World War 2. He was shot in combat and
made it back to the states eventually. By the time I got to form a relationship
with him, I was very young, 15 minus 21 is 6, that's how old I was when he died.
Which I believe speaks to the impact he had in me.
I still have fond memories of visiting him, sitting on his legless lap in his
wheel chair and listening to stories. Even then I knew how important what he had
to say was even though I'm not sure I understood what he was telling me
entirely. When he passed, he left me a pocket watch he carried his whole life,
and while I would never, ever even consider getting rid of it, one thing I held
in my hand whenever I visited him was his Purple Heart. My mom always explained
to me that he was a hero at that age so that item just felt important, sometimes
I can still feel it in my hand. One of those shiny things raccoon children like
myself just want to put in our shiny box
Anyway, on his death bed his step daughter stole all of his medals, and military
related gear and sold them. Had him cremated and then threw away the ashes. Not
sure if its crack or what it is she needed money for but his step daughter has
never been seen in our family since.
I've always wanted to purchase another Purple Heart to replace it, so I've kept
an eye out, several pawn shops have come and passed, I've seen so many medals
and awards it just sickens me. Who are these people who sell theses badges of
honor? Are they family members who don't care, Vets who NEED the money because
of financial situations?
I was talking to my roommates about it last night and came to a conclusion, I
have no interest in purchasing a "replacement" Purple Heart. I don't want to
support buying them from someone, it was earned through blood sweat and tears.
Travis(sausagecake) mentioned last night posting this on here with the intent to
start a Non for profit organization for Vets or family's with medals or at least
get some ideas on ways to help.
Any ideas? I hate to go to pawnshops where medals and awards just sit under a
case, nameless, and uncounted for , there is a story behind everything and it
needs to be told. I want these people's stories to be told forever.
Travis had mentioned trying to hook up with a museum to see if maybe there could
be a room dedicated to it, so that veterans and family's who either have passed
on, or need money could instead donate the badges, where they can always be seen
and that way in the future when their grandchildren go to the museum they can
see what grandpa put his life on the line for.
Travis other idea was contacting Steven Colbert to see if he could air it, as he
has always been very pro troop and we both feel like if we could get Steven
Colbert to actually understand an idea we could generate he would be all about it
I know some vets would rather die then give up these, when I worked at the
homeless shelter here in Lafayette we had gentlemen who still wore them day in
and day out as if they were still in the war. I still have memories of some of
the Vets from there, miss them a lot too.
Any ideas? Does something like this currently already exist? Anyone else interested?
