I worked on call this weekend, that means I usually go in for 8 hours and make sure I get the paperwork done and then they can call me for emergencies.
Yesterday the nurse who usually works on call with me asked me if she could bring some medals that I could identify for her. They belonged to her father and older brother. I told her sure.
She got to work about 6:30 and I went to the HSU to chat with her and she showed me the medals. Her father had served in the European theater in WWII as wellas the mediteranian as an MP He had the usual campaign medals aswell as the purple heart and his ruptered duck and MP brass.
Her brother was killed in action in Vietnam as a PFC in the Marines when she was 13. He had the Vietnam service ribbon and the Vietnamese cross of Gallantry and the purple heart. and one I knew was Vietnam era but could not identify on the issue box it said Military Merit Medal It was a dark red ribbon with 3 white stripes and the medal itself was in the shape of a cross. On the medal it self it had a small map of Vietnam. She also had his Marine Marksmanship medal.
Whan I was looking at the Purple Heart I asked her brother's name and she told me I showed her that it was stamped on the back of the medal as well as his rank. She never saw that before.
Kenosha had it's county fair last month and part of the historical center was there including a picture of her brothers funeral. I was judt glad I could be of help to her.
Her son is now in the Marines.