This being Veterans Day, I am compelled to write in the defense of those veterans who have already sacrificed so much and to the families of the fallen veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart.

Established in 1782 by Gen. George Washington, an American decoration, it is the oldest military award. The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the president of the United States to any member of the armed forces or any civilian national of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. armed forces after April 5,1917, has been wounded or killed or who has died or may die after being wounded in any action against an enemy of the United States.In this century alone, the number of servicemen and women killed, wounded, maimed and disfigured cannot be imagined. During World War I, more than 300,000; World War II, more than 1,000,000; in Korea, more than 150,000; in the jungles of southeast Asia, more than 200,000 and still climbing; finally, the gulf war, the shortest war of this century, with more than 700. As one of this nation's highest honors, the Purple Heart has often been awarded alongside our nation's highest military honor, the Medal of Honor, most often posthumously.

On Oct. 12, the Murray Police Department honored one of its own in a public ceremony covered by all of the local media. Murray's medal of choice, the military Purple Heart. Although the officer deserves recognition for his courage and personal sacrifice for the safety and protection of the people of Murray, he does not deserve nor does he meet the criteria for the Purple Heart.

No way have my intentions on this matter been to degrade any law enforcement officer or agency. To the officer in question, you have my utmost respect. If ever we should meet, I'd introduce you to my children as a hero.

Nick Lopez

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