I Got A Medal!

[Dr. Shane]

My new office is just a block down the street from the American Legion and being such a patriot, I decided I should join. I got out of the Army due to the Sabbath conflict and never did get my separation papers so I had to send off for them.

Well I just received them in the mail today. My first pleasant surprise was that the reason listed for my leaving the Army is "Cogent Personal Reasons." That is a good thing to have listed on my record.

I was in the Army National Guard. During the First Gulf War I volunteered for active duty and went to Panama. Returning home I requested the National Defense Service Metal which is awarded to those that have served honorably on active duty during time of war. Sadly I was denied this metal. I still have the letter. I was denied because, it claimed, I was on active duty for training only, and not in support of the war. However everyone on active duty during previous wars got this medal. Those serving in the states and Germany during the Vietnam War received this metal. Well, long story short, the papers I got today have this metal in my list of decorations along with my overseas ribbon. So now I can join the VFW if I want.

The big deal for me is that I felt I suffered an injustice at the time I was denied the metal. Now I feel the injustice has been corrected.

[darlene]

Congratulations, Shane! In the end everything came out alright. You did well!

[Gail]

Yes, he did! Now he has something to go beside his photo of the President!

Good for you, Shane

[Bravus]

Congrats, my friend: well deserved and overdue.

[Neil D]

Congratulations....

[Amelia]

Way cool Shane. Since it's listed on your papers will you now actually get the physical medal?

[Dr. Shane]

No, I don't think they actually give any one the physical medal when it is the National Defense Service Medal because all one has to do to earn it is serve on active duty during time of war. However I can buy it if I want without being (as Rush Limbaugh would say) a phony bologna, plastic banana.

I was in the National Guard. My unit was not activated. I volunteered for active duty. I went on active duty as an active guardsman for February and March of 1991. I was sent to Panama and assigned to a task force on a humanitarian campaign. When I came home, only two of us in our Guard unit had went on active duty during that time. So had I received the the National Defense Service Medal I would have been one of the few in our unit that would have had it (we had some Vietnam vets in our unit yet). In fact, one of the guys in our unit made fun of me for even asking for the medal. He really didn't like me, I believe because I was in AA and he was quite the drinker.

Right now, at this time in history, it really is no big deal because we have been in hostilities since 2001. The only way someone wouldn't get it is if they are in the National Guard or Reserve and have never been activated. From what I understand, most Guard and Reserve units have been activated at one time or another. We have a guy in our church that has been to Iraq once (as a Reservist) and is scheduled to go back again this year.

However when I was in, we hadn't had any hostilities to speak of since Vietnam. The Gulf War was quite short and since I did do active duty during it. I felt entitled to the medal. So in light of what is going on now, it is no big deal at all. However back at the time, I was made fun of for requesting it.

[Liz]

Well, I am glad that you have it now. It makes me a little sad that you have to buy your own medal though. I personally believe that anyone who joins and serves whether in peace time or war deserves a medal.

[Amelia]

It's interesting though. My father was in WWII and received several medals; all of which are on paper. He said that he could get the physical medals but it was too much of a hassle dealing with the paperwork.