The E-Sylum:  Volume 11, Number 17, April 27, 2008, Article 12

RETURNED WAR VETERANS RECEIVE MEDALS

Dick Johnson writes: "Since the days of Napoleon, veteran
servicemen returned from the war zone attend a ceremony in
which medals are bestowed to those for valor, heroism, and
participation. After all it was Napoleon who said 'A soldier
will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon' which
has been passed down as 'Give me enough medals and crimson
ribbon and I can conquer the world.' "

"A unit of the South Carolina National Guard just returned
after a year's tour of duty in Afghanistan held such a ceremony
this week. For their service to our country over 1,000 medals
were bestowed to members of the 218th Brigade Combat Team from
the Newberry area.

"Among those 1,000 medals were five for the Bronze Stars for
Valor, 264 recipients of the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service,
47 have been given or will receive the Purple Heart, 400 will
receive a Combat Badge (despite the fact they were not in a
combat zone). All will receive the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

"How well I recall such a ceremony. One of my best buddies
received such a decoration for a previous tour of duty (unlike
my tour of duty along the banks of the Potomac River in
Washington DC). His comments were you never know how you will
react until it actually happens. A milquetoast personality might
become a gung-ho aggressor under fire or a macho tough guy might
cower in fear.

"Be that as it may, all service personnel deserve our praise
and respect for all military duty combat or not. They also
deserve every medal they receive.

"To read the South Carolina story click on:
Full Story "

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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