Group: No Purple Hearts for Oklahoma City bombing victims. Your thoughts?

2015-07-09T08:56:08-04:00

Officials from the veterans service organization released a statement Wednesday calling the attack a tragic moment in American history but said it had "nothing to do with combat on the battlefield or international terrorism," making the fallen troops ineligible for the award.

"The criteria for award of the Purple Heart medal has been constant and clear — it is awarded only to those who are killed or wounded in combat," the group said in a statement.

Ignoring those rules "would cheapen the intent and importance of the Purple Heart medal and denigrate its meaning for those who have received it for their sacrifices."

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/capitol-hill/2015/07/08/ndaa-purple-heart-oklahoma-city-bombing-victims-albert-p-murrah-federal-building/29864009/

Group: No Purple Hearts for Oklahoma City bombing victims

Members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart say the move would go against existing rules and cheapen the honor.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jul 9 at 2015 9:00 AM

2015-07-09T09:00:44-04:00

It all comes down to classification. We have seen this happen several times when it comes to terrorist attacks committed by Americans. Look at the Fort Hood shootings a few years ago. It took a while for those service members to be given the correct classification.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jul 31 at 2015 5:06 PM

2015-07-31T17:06:38-04:00

Oklahoma City bombing was the act of an Americans against Americans for political reasons, worse those responsible are cowards because they targeted individuals that were defenseless.