The Throw Down

The Throw Down

            One of my friends issued a challenge on Facebook a couple of weeks ago: “if you truly don’t want to see Donald Trump become President of the United States say so.” I have been a rather timorous poster of opinions on Facebook. My reason: why annoy someone I otherwise care about. I probably won’t change anyone’s opinion, or decision at the polls, so why risk destroying a valued relationship? Would my opinion matter anyway? But I was reminded  of the old saying about the pen being mightier than the sword. And then Donald Trump and one of his admirers crossed, what for me, is an intolerable line in the sand, or perhaps the elephant grass. So fair warning: if you don’t want to read my opinion stop reading now.

 “I’ve Always Wanted a Purple Heart”

            During the Democratic National Convention Gold Star father Khizr Khan spoke eloquently about the loss of his son, Captain Humayun Khan, a Muslim America who was killed by a suicide bomber in Iraq in 2004. By all accounts CPT Khan acted bravely, saving many lives. He was awarded the Bronze star and the Purple Heart posthumously. His actions, in my opinion, deserve more than a Bronze Star. A Distinguished Service Cross, or even a Congressional Medal of Honor seems more appropriate to me. Maybe that’s because I have a Bronze Star and all I did to earn it was show up for work every day for a year at an Army Hospital in Vietnam.

             The Khans spoke in defense of Americans of the Muslim faith who love this country as much as Americans of other religious faiths, or no particular religious beliefs at all. In an especially dramatic moment Mr. Khan held up his pocket copy of the Constitution, and asked Trump if he had ever read it. For me it was an especially emotional moment. In a few short statements Mr. Khan and his wife stood as witness to part of what makes America great: freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

            Mr. Khan’s actions, as one might expect, angered Trump. He wondered aloud if Mrs. Khan, who did not speak during the couple’s time on stage, was even allowed to speak because of her faith. It was as if he had to have something, anything to find fault with this grieving couple.

            Then just as this drama seemed to have worked its way through the news cycle, an admirer gave Trump the Purple Heart he’d received. Trump was in awe, saying “I always wanted to get one of these. This is much better.” I was disgusted.

            The Purple Heart is awarded to people in the military for one reason and one reason only: that person was wounded—or killed—in defense of the United States. It is not an award anyone wants to earn. Ever.

            I am quite sure of this because I was an Army Nurse in Vietnam; my husband, who I had yet to meet, was a medical evacuation helicopter pilot. On March 18, 1971 he earned his Purple Heart when he was shot through both legs on the last night he was scheduled to fly before going home. We can joke that I have a bronze star, an award given to nurses and doctors for doing our jobs in Vietnam. We can even joke about the Air Medals Jim received for flying into harm’s way to rescue the wounded. But we never joke about his Purple Heart. Ever.

 If Donald Trump always wanted a Purple Heart, why did he obtain five deferments then claim to have bone spurs to avoid the draft? I get it. Avoiding the draft was a sign of the times. Vietnam was not a fun place to be. But to accept the gift of a Purple Heart he didn't earn, no matter the admirer’s intent? I just can’t stomach it. As the old saying goes, “you must be present to win.” If Donald Trump really wanted a Purple Heart then he should have taken his chances with the draft, like so many men of our generation did. If he always wanted a Purple Heart, he should have had the guts it took to get one.