Get Your Military Medals

Subject: RE: Get Your Military Medals
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 16 Feb 03 - 08:09 PM

Try that in North Korea.

Or Bhagdad, for that matter.

I got about as close to North Korea as I ever care to, thank you very much - up to the DMZ a couple of times.
At least as close as I care to under the current Management.

   We had 81 American combat casualties in the Republic of Korea and within the DMZ over the year that I was stationed with the 8th Army in Kimpo - 1968, and for most of that year the Kongsan held the Crew of the USS PUEBLO hostage under deplorable abuse and duress.

Korean Nationals we worked with remembered having to watch their Parents being tortured to death for witholding the last bit of rice that might keep their children alive through the Winter, or re-taking the quonset huts we were quartered in at the time after a Kongsan (North Korean)advance to find American MP's who were a little too slow to retreat hanging by the feet from the rafters, having been skun alive and left to die in unfathomable agony.

We notice that most of the Korean anti-American "Peace Activists" seem to be a little too young to have experienced all of that, while the seldom-covered by the media "Pro-American" Demonstrators usually contain at least a few who probably do remember.

And don't want it to ever happen again.

But me thinks you misunderstood the jist of the above missives.

Jeeze; I hope you're right there, Sandy.

So re-read and try again.

OK; I'll do that.

Subject: RE: Get Your Military Medals
From: Sandy Creek
Date: 16 Feb 03 - 07:28 PM

UJ, Bravo!...you just demonstrated a freedom you earned and one that was granted to you by many of your kind during many wars through many years...AND that is to speak your piece. Try that in North Korea.
But me thinks you misunderstood the jist of the above missives. So re-read and try again.

Subject: RE: Get Your Military Medals
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 16 Feb 03 - 05:32 PM

Gee; when I first saw the thread title, I assumed that (having had some interaction with this crowd over the past 4 years or so) that the gist of it would be to encourage Veterans to throw their medals over the White House fence in protest like a certain Democrat who is currently vying for the Presidential Nomination once did. Only now we find that they were not really HIS medals, but someone elses'. How patriotic!

Then when I saw an offer to help Vets replace lost medals they might have earned, I was pleasantly surprised. "How nice", I thought; about the last place I'd start looking for a Veteran's Advocate would be in this forum (even though it is undeniably the best when it comes to Folk Music). What a considerate, patriotic gesture.

But then after reading down a few posts, I got this sinking feeling - like perhaps my initial, reflexive response may not have been all that far off the mark after all. You "might" want to demonstrate your contempt for the Country you live in and it's Military by pitching your second (third, and as many as you can wheedle out of the system)set of medals off the end of the pier, eh?

Dear me!; I rather think that you probably shall!

Whatever we do with our original set, I suppose, is our own business according to our individual conscience; but to request another set to throw away for spite seems just a bit disingenuous to me.
Wouldn't it be a much more significant gesture to re-enlist and EARN another set to piss on, flush down the toilet, deep-six, or whatever(for those of you who did or intend to)?

But I don't suppose that's an option, is it?
No; I don't suppose it is.

As for me, about the only medal I came home from Korea with was an Overseas Expiditionary. Kinda pretty, actually; I hang it on the Christmas Tree along with the other ornaments and a few other medals I won in muzzle-loading shooting matches years ago, as well as the American Legion Past Commander's medal.

It seems about as good a use for them as any I can come up with.

Subject: RE: Get Your Military Medals
From: Sandy Creek
Date: 15 Feb 03 - 08:19 PM

To Artbrooks...I am not sure they will issue "unlimited" sets...Check with VFW or such group or maybe some government website for clarification.

Subject: RE: Get Your Military Medals
From: artbrooks
Date: 15 Feb 03 - 04:04 PM

I am glad to see that, if I understand this correctly, the Department of Defense will now issue unlimited numbers of medal sets to veterans and their relatives without charge. They used to charge for replacements, at their cost.

Subject: RE: Get Your Military Medals
From: Sandy Creek
Date: 15 Feb 03 - 01:17 PM

To Misfit...ONLY if you want them...and ONLY if they have meaning. IF not...we all make our own choices. I dropped my originals off the end of a pier into the Atlantic Ocean. When I get my replacements, I may keep them or I may head back to the end of the pier.

Subject: RE: Get Your Military Medals
From: mack/misophist
Date: 14 Feb 03 - 11:34 PM

I suppose you mean well, but what makes you think I want them?

Subject: RE: Get Your Military Medals
From: Sorcha
Date: 14 Feb 03 - 06:57 PM

What a nice thing to do, Sandy.

Subject: RE: Get Your Military Medals
From: Sandy Creek
Date: 14 Feb 03 - 03:58 PM

GUEST...you should be able to get your Uncle Jim's records by filling out the SF180 and send it to the right address...you have a list of addresses depending on the branch served in (Marines). If you have any problems or questions...I can help or contact the VFW in your area.

Subject: RE: Get Your Military Medals
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Feb 03 - 02:08 PM

My uncle Jim served in Korea in the Marine corps and died several years ago I would like to get the records and everything for my gramma (it was her brother) who is eligible to apply for the records? Would I be able to?

Subject: Get Your Military Service Medals
From: Sandy Creek
Date: 14 Feb 03 - 01:26 PM

If any of you Vets or relatives of vets would to get your/their Military Service Medals...go to the www.VFW.org website and print out form SF180...fill it out and mail it in...takes 6 months to a year to get them sent to no (No Charge)...if you need help contact the VFW or American Legion or any Veteran's group or I will be glad to help you.