Military Considering Purple Hearts For Soldiers With Psychological Wounds

Wall Street Journal:

Centuries before Iraq and Afghanistan, George Washington created the Purple Heart to honor troops wounded in combat.

But with an increasing number of troops being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, the modern military is debating an idea Gen. Washington never considered -- awarding one of the nation's top military citations to veterans with psychological wounds, not just physical ones.

Read the whole story: Wall Street Journal

Comments

[karela]

If a soldier comes home with wounds that harm his future life, he should be recognized for the sacrifice he made for his country. I don't necessarily think that it should be the purple heart for mental wounds because that might dilute what a purple heart means to those who have suffered grave physical injury. I would prefer to see a separate but equal type of new category of medal. There is no doubt that mental suffering is at least equally as painful as physical suffering--as those who have experienced both can attest. So, let's honor our soldiers, but let's do it with a separate medal that is equally valuable and honorable. Just the recognition and gratitude of the country could help these brave soldiers begin to heal.

[mredder4]

What a stupid idea. Maybe colleges can start giving out diplomas to people who just think they're smart enough to graduate.

[realpolitic]

Any soldier who receives a Purple Heart for a pychological wound and later becomes a Democratic politician will always be ridiculed by Republicnas.

[tompoe]

Hopefully, they're addressing the needs of the veterans of all wars that are living, today, right?

[compassionone]

VERY FIRST STEP IS TO GIVE ONE UP FOR JOHN MCCAIN.