Dispelling the Myth: Hillary Clinton and the Purple Heart

Dispelling the Myth: Hillary Clinton and the Purple Heart

Disinformation is currently spreading across the internet about a
bogus report that Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton was recently awarded
the Purple Heart medal. These reports are FALSE.

These bogus reports are being spread by politically motivated persons
and groups who are, once again, using American military medals to
solicit donations and political support to their organizations or sway
voters opinions in upcoming elections.

Here Are The Facts

CHRONOLOGY

1995: Following President Bill Clinton's inauguration of the United
States Post Office Prisoner of War stamp, veteran's organizations
begin petitioning the U.S. Post Office for a Purple Heart Medal stamp.
Intense political pressure from adversaries of the Clinton
Administration prevents the White House from devoting the required
attention needed to establish the Purple Heart stamp.

March 2001: The Prisoner of War stamp authorized by the Clinton
Administration is discontinued by the U.S. Post Office. The Post
Office issues a statement that its decision was not based on any
influence from the new Bush Administration.

May, 2003: Following many years of petitions by veterans groups that
began in 1995 during the Clinton presidency, the Purple Heart Stamp is
finally established by the United States Post Office. Senator Hillary
Clinton, who as First Lady was involved in the creation of the stamp
in 1995, attended the ceremony.

August, 2004: In response to attention drawn to reports and
allegations that George Bush deliberately avoided service in Vietnam,
and Dick Cheney’s sought and received five draft deferments to avoid
military service and possible assignment to Vietnam, individuals and
groups opposed to John Kerry initiate a publicity campaign exclusively
financed by a supporter of George Bush’s re-election to challenge the
validity of Kohn Kerry’s three Purple Heart medals. The ensuing
challenge, appearing in national TV commercials, creates the
impression in the American public that many Purple Heart medals were
issued improperly. Although the Purple Heart is our nation’s oldest
medal, it suffers its worst public image in American history

February, 2005: In response to the derogatory attention given to the
Purple Heart medal during the 2004 presidential elections from groups
such as "The Swift Boat Veterans For Truth" who challenged the
validity of the Purple Medal medals authorized to Lt. John Kerry and
Purple Heart recipients who supported Senator Kerry, the United States
Post Office decides to discontinue publishing and selling the Purple
Heart stamp. The Post Office stated that its decision was not due to
any request or influence by the Bush Administration.

February, 2005: Senator Clinton leads a national movement to compel
the United States Post Office to continue producing and selling the
Purple Heart stamp.

March, 2005: The United States Navy Inspector General issues its
official report and review that each of the three Purple Heart medals
duly authorized to Lt. John Kerry in Vietnam were fully proper and
legal. The IG closes the investigation requested by Congressional
supporters of George Bush's re-election campaign.

January, 2006: Upon receiving overwhelming requests from the American
public, the United States Post Office agrees to continue producing and
selling the Purple Heart stamp.

February, 2006: In appreciation for Senator Clinton's leadership and
work in compelling the United States Post Office to continue its
production of the Purple Heart stamp, the National Military Order of
the Purple Heart, a Congressionally chartered veteran's organization,
awards Senator Hillary Clinton a plaque commemorating it's
"Inspirational Leadership Award" for her work in perpetuating the
United States Postal Service's Purple Heart stamp.

February, 2006: A conservative internet-based Republican Party
information and publicity service known as "Newsmax" publishes a news
report that deliberately gives readers the impression that Senator
Hillary Clinton requested and received military authorization for the
Purple Heart medal. Newsmax, a Republican press agency, has published
many reports that supported Republican challengers to Ms. Clinton's
past and future political (senatorial and presidential) elections.

EDITOR'S NOTE:
As we approach the upcoming election season various political agency's
will attempt to create passionate movements based on disinformation
and falsehoods. All veterans are advised to step back and review these
falsehoods with objectivity and clarity before accepting them as fact.
The Newsmax report was not fact. The Newsmax report was a deliberate
distortion of a harmless and well-meaning event to manipulate anger
and divisiveness in the American veteran and military community.

REFERENCES:

Common Myths about the Purple Heart Medal
http://members.aol.com/warlibrary/theheart.htm

Purple Heart Issue Regulations
http://www.amervets.com/replacement/isr.htm

Senator Clinton Receives Military Order of the Purple Heart
Inspirational Leadership Award
http://clinton.senate.gov/news/state...fm?id=251629&&

Webcast of the above presentation event
http://www.clinton.senate.gov/audio/...inton_award.rm

Clinton Set Up Online Petition Calling for Stamp to Remain
http://clinton.senate.gov/news/state....cfm?id=250591

Senator Hillary Clinton website
http://clinton.senate.gov/

Military and Military Veteran Honor Guard POW/MIA Flag Duty At Local
United States Postal Offices and Facilities
http://members.aol.com/usaheroes/flagduty.htm

Contact Person for this Posting:
Roger Simpson, PIO (13105320634.com)
The American War Library (amervets.com)
Building Two, 16907 Brighton Avenue
Gardena CA 90247-5420
1-310-532-0634

-- Otis Willie (Ret.)
Military News and Information Editor (http://www.13105320634.com)
The American War Library, Est. 1988 (http://www.amervets.com)
16907 Brighton Avenue
Gardena CA 90247
1-310-532-0634

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