The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
New Question: Should Fire Fighter familes receive Purple Hearts for the family members they lost.
Let me explain my view on this and why I believe it should be a Purple Heart. This day was a very bad day that started a new war. In my eyes, the fighters that went into those buildings and lost their lives, walked into combat. To my knowledge(correct me if im wrong) there hasn't even been bravery awards given out on this. I think Purple Hearts should be given out to the families of not only them, but as well as the families of this on United 93 that crashed into PA. Those men and women saved a lot of lives that day, and yet that have only received a thanks from the peoples butts that they saved that day.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Melissa on
-
Part of what we are doing with funds coming from the car that we are getting together (if you dont know read my profile lol) is funds going to fallen firefighter foundations in the cities that we race plus abroad. If you look in the city that you are in, there should already be one there, but there is never enough to go around. I do however think that there are to many men and women that want to join a dept and do not have the money to join and there are the lovley stipulations in financial aids as well. I think it would be a good thing also, to start a scholorship in the names of fallen fighters in the area for the volunteer depts or any for that matter.
-
Permalink Reply by kel1985 on
-
As much as I do think there should be some form of recognition given, the Purple Heart is the only medal that was authorized by George Washington for his troops. The likeness of Washington appears on it as well as the his family's crest. It fell out of use after the Revolution and was revived for our troops who were wounded in WWI. The award was initially only given to enlisted personnel, and later included officers. Military members who are killed in battle had been awarded the Gold Star (in past wars), I'm not sure if the decoration is still given.
While the people on United 93 and the Firefighters and Police who died on 911 are heroes in one form or another, they weren't serving in the military, and as such should not receive a military award. Perhaps a high civilian award (Presidential Medal of Freedom comes to mind) could be awarded posthumously, or even a new award could be created.
Some people have responded to your question with thoughts along the lines of, "they were just doing their jobs", but if you take the time to read about the men who stormed the beaches of Normandy, or Iwo Jima, or to learn about the men who have been awarded the Medal of Honor (sometimes referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor), they will tell you the same thing, "We were just doing our jobs." Well, we recognized superior effort then, it's appropriate that we should do so now.
Further, I wasn't offended by your thought. As I read your later postings, I just think your initial idea wasn't clearly phrased.
-
Permalink Reply by Kevin King on
-
I've got to go with you on this issue Dan. I agree that the families should be givin some sort of recognition for the sacrifice their loved ones made. But as Dan put it they were doing the same job as anyone of us do each time they answer the call. I would rather see the time and money spent on preserving life and preventing another tragic incident. This may sound cold but its still a fact,people die doing what we do they always have and they always will that is what separates us from the masses,we accept that risk and we do the JOB to the best of our abilities.I feel that we honor each one of the people that we lost that day everytime we answer the call.
-
Permalink Reply by Randy Macey on
-
To me an award or metal is nice, but it should be given for something that one does do. But as well where do you draw the line, one gets there 5, 10, 15, 20 year medal for services. We get awards or certificates for courses and trainings. Don't get me wrong, I look at the pat on the back as being nice. But a purple heart for the fire service, when we know that some should get it as well as others you know. We all know someone who maybe might or should of never gotten into the fire service as they are like Mr. Bean. Trouble does not go far looking for this person.
Only thing I look at, if I get hurt doing a job. A metal or certificate is not going to pay my bills if I can no longer work. I want to make sure that I will be taken care of, if I did the job right and shit happened that day. I want to know that my family and I will be ok.
For those who are in the military, I have the most respect for those who put there life on the line. When I see all there metals and ribbons I have very little knowledge on what they mean. I don't do this job for any metals, in fact when I joined the Vol. I did not know we even got paid. It's a bonus, but trust me it's not a lot of money and I'm not getting rich. But is this the reason for any of us getting into this?
For those who lost there life in the line of duty. It's upsetting and it should not happen, we are trained.
I know shit happens, but thats what we train for. To read and understand the hazards, we risk a lot to save a lot. I know it's different when we are talking downtown and a building is on fire. But for those of use that work in a rural areas and we know that the house is empty or vacant. And you can read the fire and understand that if there was anyone in there, they are not alive now. Why would we go in anyways if we know they are not alive.
I know the world stop for 9/11 and realized the loss in Police , EMT's and Firefighters as well as those who worked in the towers or were in the planes. There where a lot of people that open there hearts that day and many days afterwards. The people that gave food and drinks to those who worked at ground zero, those that offered equipment.
.
-
Permalink Reply by bgblackie28 on
-
Randy,
Just a thought.I think the Purple Heart should be reserved for the Military injured like my Dad and Father-in-law who were injured in combat in Vietman.Like you said........I don't do this for Medals!In fact,I don't do this for any reason other than to help other people.We don't get paid anything at our department.We are what some call "True Volunteers".Whatever people call us.........crazy,brave,or just plain stupid,we do this job for free so other people will be protected and cared for in an emergency.This is just a thought and I am not saying anything bad about what you said.Just a thought.
-
Permalink Reply by Donnie Bathje on
-
OK, let's see if I can get yelled at here. I will first say that calling it a purple heart, I disagree. But yes absolutely there should be a medal issued to the family when a firefighter is killed in the line of duty. I am not talking about dying from be fat and out of shape and having a heart attack. I do support the Heart and Lung Act. But that is not what I mean by LODD. My department has several Awards for couage and valor. However you do not automatically get them, you must be nominated and a committee will warrant the giving of any medal.
Each medal has criteria Leigon of Honor is injury in the line of duty keeping them off line for 3 months or more. Wounded in Combat LOD burns, lacerations and fractures. There are about 12 different medals ranging from valor to education and such. We also have a Medal of Honor and a Medal of Honor Post-humously. Medal of Honor is for heroic act with an understanding of the dangers. While post humousley is for a family when a firefighter is killed in the line of duty.
I like the idea but if I never recieve one that is fine as well. But when a firefighter is killed in the LODD, I think the family should get a medal to remember them by. Even if it is for the kids to have a piece of the parent lost. We lose 100 firefighters on average a year. Of that about 25-50% are true LODD. Be it a national medal by the USFA or a local medal it should be done.
-
Permalink Reply by Allen Wahlstrom on
-
As a third generation veteran and 2nd generation firefighter...yes all volunteered to join in time of war. WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Cold War, Iraq I, none of us were drafted, all volunteered and 3 of the 5 us have medals.
That said, I think ther eshould be some form of Medal for LODD in the Fire Service and I have to agree, heart desiese from weight and laziness does not count.
-
Permalink Reply by Tony Leonard,Jr. on
-
The United States Government has what's called The Medal of Freedom.This is the Highest Award Any of Us,Non Military Personnel,Can Receive.As far as awarding military metals to us it is not done at all.But in the case of 9/11 if they where to award a military metal to any or all of them,I would have to say it should be The Congressional Medal of Honor.
-
Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on
-
Tony:
You read my mind.
Purple Heart is a military award for injuries.
As far as 9/11, you want to recognize who? Just firefighters or everyone who died that day at the Towers, Pentagon and on United 93?
I don't know what could be done that hasn't been done already.
With regards to awarding medals in the fire service, I feel and this is strictly my opinion, that we are recognizing too many ordinary acts and diluting the intent of honors, which is to recognize extraordinary acts.
I believe that, sometimes, it is done to keep us in front of the public so that when we ask for funding, tax increases and grants, we can point to our examples of "heroism" for justification.
Personally, I would feel better if it was the public making the nominations for heroism. That way, it won't look convoluted or worse, biased.
Art
-
Permalink Reply by David A Zeiss on
-
yes, they do in the military
-
-
wow i have been so busy with this car, hi yall.lol OK I do believe that there should be some metal given to the fighter on 9/11. There were doing what needed to be done while everyone else was scratching there a## and trying to figure out who to blame. I do believe that a metal should be given to the families from PA since you never really hear about them and they saved a lot of a##es that day as well. As for the Purple Heart idea, kinda forgot the military aspect, just was remembering the stories of my grandfathers from WWII. As a civilian that only does fundraisinig for vollie depts, I think that fighters and medics are way under recognized for the sacarfices that are made and more then anything the politics that yall have to put up with because of well, to many people standing around scratching thier a##es.lol I hear it all the time and yes I do agree that there should be something and yes I do think that it should be up to a public not political party to award it. There are to many other politicians that take it as a photo opp for people to vote for them. And that defeats the real purpose of what was done in the first place. Thanks for the responses and well there is a reason for this. I needed to know what yall thought. I couldnt get anything said before, but well when 80 million people are watching a car in nascar dedicated to fighter depts across the nation, I just hope that the recognition for yall is founded and know it is well deserved. I know that yall do this because of your hearts and its in the bloodstream for yall to go from little fire trucks to big ones when you get older.lol However, for the first time in my life I have a family all across this nation, and im just a secretary.
That is why I do what I do and will till my time comes.
-
Permalink Reply by Lawrence W on
-
OK - Today is the 66th Anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor. I recieved this just today from firefighterclosecalls.com. The article clearly states that the purple heart was indeed awarded to civilians during the attack on Pearl Harbor as stated below:
"During the Pearl Harbor attack. 3 Engine Companies of the Honolulu (Hawaii) Fire Department, (Engines 1, 4, and 6) were dispatched to fight the fires caused by enemy attack. HFD Fire Captain John Carreira, Captain Thomas Macy and Hoseman Harry Pang all gave their lives in the Line of Duty. 6 other Firefighters were wounded while fighting fires at Hickam Field: Fire Lt. Frederick Kealoha, Hosemen Moses Kililikani, John A. Gilman, Solomon Naauao, Patrick McCabe and George Correa. All of these Firefighters were awarded Purple Hearts and became the only civilian Firefighters in the U.S. to do so."
According to the article, our history says that the Purple Heart has been awarded to civilians acting in a military arena. Obviously, this is an extreamely rare occurance and has not happened in recent times. This begs the question of "Do the attacks on 09/11/01 qualify as Acts of War as the attacks on Pearl Harbor did 66 years ago?" This has been and can continue to be argued in either direction. The attacks on Pearl Harbor were initiated by a foreign government while the the attacks on 09/11/01 were made by a terrorist organization of individuals - not ordered by a foreign government. Both attacks hit our home soil causing massive cassualties, both military and civilian. Are they similar enough to be classified in the same category?
Just a thought to stimulate a little conversation. Given this information, How do you feel about the Purple Heart being awarded in conjuction with the attacks of 09/11/01?
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- 3
- Next ›
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
