Fort Hood victims will get their Purple Hearts
“It’s an appropriate recognition of their service and sacrifice.”
After five years of lobbying, lawmakers and activists have ensured that the victims of the 2009 terror attack on Fort Hood will receive the Purple Heart.
After the attack, lawyers for the victims of Major Nidal Hasan’s massacre began to put pressure on the Army to declare the attack an act of terrorism (as opposed to “workplace violence,”) so that victims and their families could receive the medals and associated benefits.
Congress changed the game when they altered the National Defense Authorization Act to expand eligibility for the Purple Heart to include those wounded by a perpetrator in communication with or inspired by a foreign terrorist.
From the Austin American-Statesman:
Army Secretary John M. McHugh has directed Army officials to identify soldiers and civilians eligible for the Purple Heart, and its civilian equivalent the Defense of Freedom medal, “as soon as possible and to contact them about presentation of the awards,” the Army said today.
McHugh said the Purple Heart’s “strict eligibility criteria” had prevented victims from receiving the awards earlier. “Now that Congress has changed the criteria, we believe there is sufficient reason to allow these men and women to be awarded and recognized with either the Purple Heart or, in the case of civilians, the Defense of Freedom Medal,” McHugh said in a statement. “It’s an appropriate recognition of their service and sacrifice.”
Even five years later, many of those who survived the attack are still too injured or mentally damaged to work. By expanding eligibility for the award, these families will be able to better heal the wounds that Hassan inflicted.
Both the White House and the Pentagon lobbied against expanding Purple Heart eligibility, but the legislation passed with bipartisan support.
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Comments
Let’s hope that the woman civilian police officer who finally brought down the killer is among those who receive an award.
Agreed. Congress should enact appropriate forms of recognition for “civilian” contributions to the war effort.
The Army’s conduct in this matter is one of the most bizarre and disgraceful episodes in recent history.
Of course these soldiers deserve this recognition, and their survivors deserved every benefit the military could bestow, along with our gratitude. High flucking time…
Under the current Commander in Chief, moral, good order and discipline, take a back seat to PC.
Take a back seat Hell! Moral and discipline are down the toilet under this president. Anyone who watches the Rear Admiral John Kirby stand at the Pentagon podium and Lie through his teeth knows the damage that Obama has done.
Even the lives and safety of our troops when in rear areas are completely sacrificial to PC.
Known Wolf Hassan was only able to kill and maim for Allah BECAUSE the Army let him.
As I said, “bizarre and disgraceful”…front to back.
All pay and benefits must be back dated to the day it happened. Repay them for every out of pocket expense. PAY the loans they were forced to take out.
About damn time.
Ok, medals.
Now back to the issue:
How can this possibly be considered workplace violence???
And… what is the point in dis-arming those who took the oath to defend this country with their lives?