I never wanted the Purple Heart

Because to get the Purple Heart, you need to be in a war.  And that’s something I never wanted.  I’ve studied, and to a point been fascinated by, war since I was a child.  That’s where my love and focus on history began.  I’ve never had any illusions about its horrors or the fact that war is an affront to the designs God has for us.  I had several family members serve in various wars throughout the century. Every major conflict was covered.  But with few exceptions, most didn’t talk about their experiences.  Those who did made it sound both scary and fascinating to me when I was little, but were willing to be more serious as I got older.  At no point did anyone ever talk about it in a positive way.  Those few relatives who built up the glamour and the heroism were, I noticed in later years, the ones who didn’t serve (owing to age or health issues).

So why Trump would say he wanted a Purple Heart is puzzling at best.  I’m not one who insists anything and everything Trump says is wrong or blameworthy.  I have to remember that Trump, like Clinton or anyone else I only know through media and carefully crafted campaign strategies, is nonetheless a human being.  He’s not always wrong and always worth condemning.  Neither is Hillary.  But to say you always wanted a Purple Heart?  That reminds me of those relatives who never served but glorified the wars with tales of bold heroes and stirring battles.  I loved them dearly, but I wouldn’t want them to be president.  I want a little balance and perspective in my presidents.  A view I still hold.