Pentagon nixes Purple Heart for PTSD
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- January
- 7
A while back on this blog we posted a story from the Stars & Stripes about the Department of Defense considering a proposal to award the Purple Heart to combat troops diagnosed with post traumatic stress syndrome.
The “Stripes’’ reported yesterday that the military powers that be have decided against it. The paper quotes DoD spokeswoman Eileen Lainez, who explained he decision thusly:
“PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event; it is not a wound intentionally caused by the enemy from an ‘outside force or agent,’ but is a secondary effect caused by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event.”
You can see the entire Stars & Stripes story here.
No doubt, the debate will continue. I was never sure that the Purple Heart was the appropriate award for those who suffer from PTSD, but I do believe some sort of recognition would be a good think. More important, though, in my opinion, is that the military and the VA take care of those who have to live with the disorder every day.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 at 10:39 am by Rich Liebson. 
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Rich hello again and happy new year I agree with you medical care is more important than a medal. Some veterans familys not sure the veterans feel some sort of formal reconition would be appreciated A purple heart i do believe would not be correct but this ptsd or other condtions of the mind. is not saying they have not earned the respect that must be given for serving in combnot the only one im sure regards joe cohenat and coming down after with various medical problems Well rich just one veterans opion