National Purple Heart Day
In honor of National Purple Heart Day, I started gazing
through photos from the bittersweet ceremony of my husband’s pinning. It was a day that I will never forget.
November 6, 2010, also my daughter’s first birthday. I had the entire party planned. It would be a perfect first birthday full of
food, family, and celebration but most importantly her deployed father was
scheduled to return home on mid-tour leave from Afghanistan to celebrate with
us.
We had no idea that this day would turn into so much more
than a birthday celebration….
Only 3 weeks earlier, we had packed a suitcase and darted to
Texas, none of the birthday decorations, presents, or plans able to fit along
with us on our rush out. My husband was
fighting for his life and I was fighting to make sure my daughter and I could
be by his side. I knew that is what he
needed in that moment. He needed to see
the many reasons he still had to live… the birthdays we would celebrate, first
days of school, the father daughter dances.
He needed to be here and I needed him here.
We ate cake and ice cream from the 4th floor of
San Antonio Military Medical Center. The
hospital room was filled with family, friends, hospital staff that had already
became family, and so much love that our one year old had no idea how blessed
she was. Brig. Gen. Joseph Caravalho
Jr., commanding general of Brooke Army Medical Center, presented J.D. with his
Purple Heart medal. It was a proud day
even though we had never wanted to experience it.
First created August 7th, 1782, the Purple Heart
medal is awarded to those wounded or killed while serving in the United States
Armed Forces as a result of enemy action.
It’s meaning makes it clear why no soldier ever wants to receive
it. The exact number is unknown, however
it is estimated that more than 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been presented
since 1932. Although we don’t celebrate
having it, my husband’s medal is proudly displayed in our home as a reminder
that every day is a new opportunity.
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