Soldier's Purple Heart

[THL]

With confusion as to why - I still had to say "aawwww":

Soldier gives his Purple Heart to student
51 minutes ago

A soldier said he was only showing his gratitude when gave his Purple Heart to a 13-year-old student being honored for winning a contest for writing letters to American troops.

"It's important what these children do for us in sending these letters," said Staff Sgt. Phillip Trackey, after giving away the medal he received for injuries in Iraq. "The letters mean so much to us. So I thought this was a big way of giving something back to them."

Trackey and a group of fellow Fort Drum soldiers were attending a ceremony Thursday at West Genesee Middle School for seventh-grader Fatima Faisal, of Camillus, who was being honored as a regional winner in the Veteran's of Foreign Wars' Letters to the Front contest.

After Faisal received her prizes, Trackey stood and held up his Purple Heart for everyone to see. Then, he pinned it on the girl's blouse.

Fatima said she didn't know what to say or do.

"I'm touched. I'm speechless," Fatima said. "This is the sweetest thing ever."

Faisal's letter was chosen the best out of more than 300 letters written in the age 12-18 category in the Central New York region. The national contest was to write letters to servicemen and servicewomen starting with the line, "Dear Service Member, I just wanted to say thanks for ..."

Teacher Donna Mahar said she has her seventh-grade classes participate in the yearly contest. About 60 of her pupils wrote letters, she said.

In her letter, Faisal said, "...I give you great respect because you had a choice to join the military and because of your bravery and courage you decided to join."

For winning the contest, Faisal received a T-shirt, a certificate and a $50 savings bond.

But the Purple Heart was the top prize, Faisal said, adding she hoped to mount it in a frame to hang in her room.

"When he gave it to her, I was getting chills," said Nadia Faisal, Fatima's mother. "I told her 'Oh my gosh, Fatima. You should treasure it forever.'"

Trackey, of Glens Falls, said he received the medal for the shoulder and head wounds he suffered when a bomb went off near him in Baghdad in January 2005. Trackey said his Purple Heart was just collecting dust at home.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060526/...ltBHNlYwM3MTY-

[Anon]

Originally Posted by TopHatsLiberal

With confusion as to why - I still had to say "aawwww":



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060526/...ltBHNlYwM3MTY-

Great story THL, thanx for posting it.

[Shek]

Originally Posted by TopHatsLiberal

With confusion as to why - I still had to say "aawwww":



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060526/...ltBHNlYwM3MTY-

The Purple Heart represents a tangible sacrifice that the soldier made while serving his country and demonstrates how deeply appreciated the support of folks back home means to soldiers.

[anand1266]

very touching news indeed....
i wish these contests come to india too

[THL]

Originally Posted by shek

The Purple Heart represents a tangible sacrifice that the soldier made while serving his country and demonstrates how deeply appreciated the support of folks back home means to soldiers.

No, I understand what the purple heart is and what it means, I was confused as to why he would not keep it for his kids/grandkids. I would think it would be a hard thing to give away is all.

[ChrisF202]

Same thaughts here THL ...

He could always go to Medals of America and buy one for a few bucks. Yeah, its not his but rather a factory production .... dont they all look the same?

[sappersgt]

Originally Posted by shek

The Purple Heart represents a tangible sacrifice that the soldier made while serving his country and demonstrates how deeply appreciated the support of folks back home means to soldiers.

There are some who believe a Purple Heart is proof that you were too stupid to get out of the way. I am not one of those people. I have two (actually called a Purple Rose- same ribbon however) one awarded concurrently and the other in lieu of a decoration. I was also wounded (in combat) and not awarded. I wore my Purple Rose w/ cluster with pride.

[Parihaka]

Originally Posted by TopHatsLiberal

No, I understand what the purple heart is and what it means, I was confused as to why he would not keep it for his kids/grandkids. I would think it would be a hard thing to give away is all.

His kids/grandkids will have something much better than a Purple Heart. They'll have him.

[THL]

Originally Posted by parihaka

His kids/grandkids will have something much better than a Purple Heart. They'll have him.

For a while....but when he is gone, they would like to have had it framed I would think.

In any case, it was a very sweet gesture and he truly made some girls year. No girl can ask for more than that.

[Shek]

Originally Posted by TopHatsLiberal

No, I understand what the purple heart is and what it means, I was confused as to why he would not keep it for his kids/grandkids. I would think it would be a hard thing to give away is all.

You can buy a replacement at Military Clothing and Sales at the PX.

[THL]

Originally Posted by shek

You can buy a replacement at Military Clothing and Sales at the PX.

yeah, i know. but its not the same. its not the one that was given originally and all that wishy washy stuff.

[Officer of Engineers]

It's a symbol, THL. It is not more than the man.