Weekend America >> Saturday, February 17, 2007 >> Owners of a Purple Heart


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How did your life collide with the headlines in 2007?
Iraq, the subprime crisis, Facebook, immigration, oil prices - 2007 had no shortage of hefty headlines. We'd like to hear about how these and other major news events of the past year affected you. Where did your life collide with the news in 2007?

What's your holiday performance story?
The office talent show, the neighborhood caroling posse, the school pageant ... At holiday time we often sing, dance, and dress as shepherds. Did you bloom in the warmth of your audience's adulation, or freeze up like the snowman you'd rather be building? Did your holiday performance change your life or that of someone close to you?

Owners of a Purple Heart February 17, 2007

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Military Order of the Purple Heart

In 1932, General MacArthur changed the fabric Purple Heart badge to a medal. And at the last minute, he also changed the meaning: it went from a merit award to recognition of any soldier who had been injured in battle. But some soldiers aren't all that excited about getting a Purple Heart. To them, it's an award for being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Weekend America's Hillary Frank talks with some Philadelphia veterans who are ambivalent about the honor. And then, host Alex Cohen shares her grandfather's story of not wanting a Purple Heart for his injuries in World War II.