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VA'S CALL TO WEAR MEDALS ON PATRIOTIC HOLIDAYS
DOESN'T SIT WELL WITH MANY VETERANS -- "I could
never
see myself doing that. I just get a funky
feeling thinking about
that...and to be honest I think you'd get a lot
of odd looks."
Former U.S. Navy captain and
helicopter pilot John Meserve is a little perplexed at the idea of
veterans wearing their military ribbons and medals. "I don't think
Americans are like that," Meserve said in his office Tuesday.
(photo: JOHN PEMBERTON / The Times-Union) |
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Veterans leaving medals at home
Most on the First Coast say they do not plan to wear them as the VA
suggested.
By Jeff Brumley, The Times-Union
Veterans have been urged to wear their medals on civilian clothing
today, but it's unlikely you'll see too many former warriors sporting
decorations at cookouts or service stations on Independence Day.
"I could never see myself doing that," said decorated Vietnam veteran
John Meserve.
"I just get a funky feeling thinking about that ... and to be honest I
think you'd get a lot of odd looks," said Meserve, 67, a former Atlantic
Beach mayor and Navy helicopter pilot who earned a Distinguished Flying
Cross and several other awards during his 1969-1970 war service.
Several other First Coast veterans echoed that sentiment when asked
about the "Veteran's Pride Initiative."
The initiative is the brainchild of U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim
Nicholson, who urged the nation's 24 million veterans to pin their
medals to the left breast of their civilian clothing on the Fourth of
July. Doing so, Nicholson said in a June 29 news release, would inspire
civilians to respect military service and make veterans more proud of
their sacrifice to the nation.
Nicholson said the call extends to Memorial and Veterans days and
attendance at patriotic events.
Federal law permits the wearing of medals on civilian clothing by
veterans, though active-duty personnel are prohibited from doing so,
said Jerry Newberry, director of communications for the Veterans of
Foreign Wars.
Wearing medals on civilian clothes today is a matter of personal choice,
but the VFW suggests the practice be limited to special events, such as
memorial services and military parades, Newberry said.
"Don't wear them to Kmart or Wal-Mart or anything like that," Newberry
said by phone Tuesday from the organization's national headquarters in
Kansas City, Mo.
And definitely don't wear them out for a night on the town, he said.
"If you wear them out to a bar, you're demeaning the decorations."
But Newberry probably needn't worry about that, because even those who
support Nicholson's initiative said they won't be participating.
That includes Jacksonville resident George Mordecai, 74.
"That's a good idea," Mordecai said.
But the former Army infantryman and paratrooper who served in the Korean
and Vietnam wars said he won't be wearing his Bronze Star or two Purple
Hearts on his shirt today.
That's partly because "civilians don't care," partly because he doesn't
feel the need for the recognition and partly because he no longer has
his decorations.
"My grandkids ran off with all of them," he said.
jeff.brumley@jacksonville.com
, (904) 359-4310
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Larry Scott --
