A Matter of Law and Honor

The VFW posts an open letter to the President regarding the recent attack on National Guardsmen in DC, the late Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and the still-wounded Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe. The force of the letter is that, if this is determined to have been a terrorist attack, they are entitled to Purple Hearts that they have not so far received. 

It's a very serious matter, but I am taken by a trivial concern: the VFW is referring to the soldiers using a civilian-style form of their titles. The Army normally would symbolize Specialist as "SPC" and Staff Sergeant as "SSG" but -- perhaps because the VFW is a veterans organization, and therefore civilian -- they have chosen to use the civilian-style abbreviations "Spec." and "Staff Sgt." A letter to the Commander in Chief on behalf of a group like the VFW is one in which the etiquette and protocol will have been thought through seriously, so I assume that decision was taken with care. 

In any case, here is the meat of their open letter.

We understand the importance of a full and thorough investigation and make no presumption about the final determination. The VFW’s only request is that, should federal investigators conclude this was an act of terror, the Administration be ready to ensure these members of the National Guard receive the recognition their sacrifice deserves.  

The VFW has always defended the integrity of the Purple Heart; it must remain reserved for those wounded or killed resulting from hostile enemy or terrorist action. Our position applies only when the facts clearly meet that definition under law. 

Mr. President, this tragedy cuts deeply across the veteran community – especially considering the circumstances, and what it means for veterans of Afghanistan whose lives were saved by local Afghan allies who escaped prosecution during the fall of Kabul. Many veterans are wondering how this could have happened and are seeking appropriate justice.  

Spc. Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Wolfe answered their nation’s call and wore the same uniform as every American who has been called away from their families to stand a post, whether at home or abroad. If this investigation confirms terroristic intent, recognizing them under the Purple Heart is not just a matter of law, it is a matter of honor.