LETTERS

Bill would denigrate stature of Purple Heart

Posted 3/24/15

To the Editor:

Why is the Rhode Island Senate studying the feasibility of reducing the stature of a Purple Heart vanity license plate? Perhaps they are unaware of its history, distinction and …

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LETTERS

Bill would denigrate stature of Purple Heart

Posted

To the Editor:

Why is the Rhode Island Senate studying the feasibility of reducing the stature of a Purple Heart vanity license plate? Perhaps they are unaware of its history, distinction and sanctity within the veteran community.

The Badge of Military Merit, which became the Purple Heart, is the oldest known U.S. military decoration still in use. It was created by General George Washington and first reported by the Providence Gazette and Country Journal August 31, 1782. General Washington desired to motivate and honor military members for “instances of unusual gallantry,” “extraordinary fidelity” and “essential service” during the American Revolutionary War.

The Purple Heart is a venerated military personal award conferred upon U.S. combat veterans for one of three reasons: those wounded on the world’s battlefields as a direct result of hostile enemy action, while serving our country in uniform; POWs injured/wounded by individually directed conflict or punishment with their captor in violation of any article of the Geneva Convention Rules of Warfare Concerning the Treatment of Prisoners of War whether or not the captor’s government is a signatory to the convention; those injured/wounded as a direct result of friendly fire during a hostile encounter, or initiative with, or in response to an enemy while engaging, responding to, or attacking an enemy.

RIGL 31-3-48 currently permits a Purple Heart license plate to be transferred to a surviving spouse for his/her lifetime or until that surviving spouse remarries. The General Assembly understood that when the direct connection to the Purple Heart recipient was broken, the justification for allowing the spouse to use the plate, and its tangible benefits, was also terminated. Even an ordinary Veterans licenses plate requires the submission of discharge papers by the military member and cannot be transferred to a car registered to non-service members.

If passed, Senate Bill 2015 – S0071 would entitle a surviving relative to receive a Purple Heart plate transfer upon the death of the awarded veteran. This bill would denigrate the award of the esteemed medal to the status of a club that family members could join through secondary linkage. It is an insult to members of the Order of the Purple Heart and all veterans.

 

Camille Vella-

Wilkinson, LCDR/USN (Ret.)

Warwick City Council/Veterans Liaison

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