On May 26, 2010 Glenn Beck declared on his radio show that the Purple Heart "was not for honor. It was just for being wounded."
Mr. Beck is creating his own award, his version of George Washington’s “Badge of Merit” for those recipients he deems honorable enough, those who “stuck their neck out” and “did something of real merit, not just getting shot.” Mr. Beck is saying there’s no honor in the “progressive’s” Purple Heart; get shot – get a medal. His use of the word "just" is so dismissive of the bravery, heroism, courage and sacrifice of too many soldiers to count, soldiers who defended our country by spilling their blood. On August 28,2010, Mr. Beck will have a ceremony to issue these Beck Badges of Merit during the “Restoring Honor” segment of his show. “Restoring Honor”? This is pointedly insinuating that recipients of Purple Hearts had no honor, no sense of duty, made no sacrifice.
I cannot speak for others, but I can speak up for my late father, a Sergeant in the 2nd Marine Division during World War II. He fought in the battles of Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Sipan, Tinian, and Okinawa. For his heroic deeds and sacrifice during the landing of Tarawa (he was a “human marker directing amphibious craft to shore while under constant gunfire”), my father was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart. Is Beck going to posthumously award every WWII Purple Heart recipient his new, improved Merit Badge thus instilling honor and integrity into their actions? Do I turn in my father’s Purple Hearts (2) and Silver Star in order to receive the “Beck Badge of Merit”?
Mr. Beck, in describing George Washington’s purpose in creating a Badge of Merit, said Washington was “looking to create in his words an honorable and Christian army” thus insinuating that only Christians can honorably defend our country. My father was an Atheist so does this mean he doesn’t qualify for the new, improved “Beck Badge of Merit”?
On August 28,2010, all those attending this “ceremony” will be participating in the most unpatriotic performance of their lifetimes. They will be dismissing and spitting on the honor and sacrifice – and graves – of every single person who has fought to defend this country. The arrogance of Mr. Beck is shameful and, as a fellow American, embarrassing.
Right now our military men and women are fighting in two wars overseas. These soldiers do not need honor and integrity “restored” as is has never been lost. Maybe if Mr. Beck had served in the military he’d understand how repulsive is his disregard of our government’s Purple Heart award.
See http://tinyurl.com/... for audio clip.
