You've heard the saying, "Freedom isn't free"? Apparently neither is a Purple Heart. Retired Sergeant Major Rob Dickerson was wounded by a rocket blast in Iraq in 2007. It took years of paperwork for the army to decide that Dickerson had, indeed, been wounded in war. His Purple Heart was delivered with a C.O.D. bill for $21. Dickerson was not pleased.
Traditionally, the Purple Heart is awarded in a ceremony. Link -via Fark
Dickerson says this is not about him, but other soldiers who may have the same thing happen to them. He says they should get better treatment from the United States Military, especially after laying their lives on the line while serving their country.
"I don't want you to think I'm whining and complaining, because I'm not, I really don't want this to happen to another soldier or any service member of the United States, it's degrading," Dickerson said.
Dickerson did get an apology and a money order for his out of pocket costs, but he says he couldn't cash it, because it was made out to Roy Dirksen, not Rob Dickerson.
Traditionally, the Purple Heart is awarded in a ceremony. Link -via Fark
Boy, you'd a thunk that all the NATIONAL news centers would be jumping on such a tragic and WELL DOCUMENTED story.
(A) Decide that the service member does not deserve the official awarding ceremony, and
(B) decide that if he IS to get it, that he'll get it via post…
This is deplorable behavior by ANY organization, the fact that it was our MILITARY is degrading for every single citizen who gives a hoot about their country.
Those things haven't been worth jacksquat since John Kerry got swift-boated.