What is your opinion on Donald Trump "always wanting a purple heart"?

2016-08-03T09:56:09-04:00

I'm not sure what is more disgraceful. A person who never served in the military talking about wanting a purple heart, clearly not knowing what the significance of it means, or a vet who supported his wishes and gave him his own. I was lucky not to earn one. However, WE all know someone who has. They never deployed hoping to lose a leg or their life to fulfill their wish to always wanting one.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Aug 3 at 2016 10:06 AM

2016-08-03T10:06:58-04:00

Disgraceful. Not only did he accept it, but his first words were "is this a real one or a copy"? True words of a con man. On top of that he had no shame is saying he always wanted to get one the easy way. I am baffled at the allure he has with veterans and the military when he has done nothing to but disrespect them.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 3 at 2016 10:08 AM

2016-08-03T10:08:25-04:00

Odd what people want. No PH's because under the Caste System, Reservists didn't get that stuff back in the day. Injured later but since we weren't in a "war", no go. I've never wanted one. Too many more important things like keeping my people safe and bringing them home alive. It's just the way it worked out. Now that I've hung up the uniform 13 years ago, still no urge. Too many more important things. Even if I was awarded one, the license plate that says so wouldn't be on my short list either. Just my BDU cover on Vets/Memorial Day thanks. Goes along with the silent tears.....

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2016 10:13 AM

2016-08-03T10:13:56-04:00

Well then he should have gone to Vietnam. As an 11A 2LT there was a good chance he would have got his own either in a hospital or posthumously. Ridiculous.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Aug 3 at 2016 10:58 AM

2016-08-03T10:58:05-04:00

Ignorance is bliss

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Aug 3 at 2016 11:37 AM

2016-08-03T11:37:58-04:00

Sooner or later Trump will learn that humor has no place in the blood sport of politics. If they awarded a civilian equivalent of the the Purple Heart for shooting yourself in the foot, he would have a chest full of them.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2016 11:58 AM

2016-08-03T11:58:02-04:00

I find this whole thing absolutely ridiculous. Trust me, I got it, the Purple Heart is an extremely prestigious medal. I have seen Soldiers awarded the Purple Heart for injuries I have sustained working in my garage at home. I am not taking anything away from anyone who has been wounded serving this great country but all this rhetoric is sounding more like Veterans feeling entitled to sympathy from civilians. Since when have we become so butt hurt over what other people think? We make fun of ourselves but we get mad when someone else does it? I got it, they weren't there, they haven't gone through what we have. Who gives a shit? What does this have to do with any issue this country is facing? I personally think emails classified as secret or higher being on a civilian server is way more serious than this crap but, I don't even really care about that.

If We The People really cared, we would insist that the candidates and their campaigns start focusing on and discussing the issues that are currently facing our country instead of slinging mud. Let's go brothers and sisters, get your thick skin back on and stop sweating the small shit.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Aug 3 at 2016 12:20 PM

2016-08-03T12:20:48-04:00

Honestly, I have no issue with him always wanting a Purple Heart. While we may have been lucky to not earn one, that doesn't mean at one point or another we didn't have the desire to sacrifice for our Country or our fellow Servicemembers. I can't count the number of Junior Marines who have expressed displeasure at not kicking down doors and taking names on a daily basis. We all want to be in the thick of things before we understand the reality of what that means.

Donald Trump may not quite understand the significance behind it, but I will not begrudge him for wanting to be a part of something. I will also not begrudge the vet who shared his personal medal with him. For all we know Donald Trump could frame that Purple Heart as a memorial to all the men and women who have earned it... or he could treat it as another trinket and throw it in a shoebox in his closet.

I can't begrudge someone on something they haven't done yet.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2016 1:25 PM

2016-08-03T13:25:40-04:00

for what ? hes so dumb he does not know the difference between sacrifice and success.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Aug 3 at 2016 1:45 PM

2016-08-03T13:45:17-04:00

I had to chuckle when I heard that. For me, I'm glad I never qualified for one. Came close once, and thank God it never came about.

Response by MSG John Cotellese made Aug 3 at 2016 2:10 PM

2016-08-03T14:10:25-04:00

It would be very easy for DT to get a purple heart. Just call the GOV. of NY and ask to be in the NY NG. Ask to be transferred to one of our hot spots and STAND UP for what he WANTS. After a few days of standing out front I am sure someone would make sure he got his wish...

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2016 2:56 PM

2016-08-03T14:56:40-04:00

Hi, SSgt Montague.

I've been out since 2002. Civilians will still ask me if I ever killed anyone. They don’t know any better, nor do they know not to ask.

At its core, that’s what Trump’s comments come down to. A civilian marveling over a significant military award without any appreciation of its meaning or what it took to earn it. As for its authenticity, NBC News correspondent Katy Tur tweeted that the veteran told her before the rally that the Purple Heart was actually a duplicate.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2016 3:30 PM

2016-08-03T15:30:23-04:00

He wants one? He wants to get shot, take shrapnel, or get blown up? I'll admit there's a bunch of medals/ribbons I wouldn't mind adding to my uniform per my good work but I'm not looking to get a Purple Heart.

If I get one, then I get one. It'll probably suck.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2016 12:35 AM

2016-08-04T00:35:53-04:00

I'm not sure what's more disgraceful: a member of the Armed Forces of the Ubited States who has yet to learn that military decorations are not earned.

Response by CPL Anthony Slaughter made Aug 5 at 2016 3:44 PM

2016-08-05T15:44:07-04:00

Only an idiot "wants" a Purple Heart.