Honor Roll: The History Of The Order Of The Purple Heart

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The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces, who were injured by an instrument of war and posthumously granted to the family of soldiers who were killed or died of wounds received in combat. The Purple Heart is often described as the oldest medal in the military.

The recognition was created 0n Aug. 7, 1782, by no other than Gen. George Washington and was called the Badge of Military Merit back then. During the waning days of the American Revolution, the Continental Congress prohibited Washington from granting commissions and promotions in rank as recognition for merit. But with the desire to still honor merit, the badge was established.

The purple, heart-shaped piece of silk, with a thin silver edge that had the word Merit stitched on the face in silver, was presented to a soldier for meritorious service or bravery in combat. By wearing it, the awardee was able to pass guards and sentinels without challenge. As soon as the revolution ended, the Badge of Merit was largely forgotten until Feb. 22, 1932 – the bicentennial of Washington’s birth.

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Gen. Douglas MacArthur helped in reviving the award, with the U.S. War Department eventually announcing the creation of the Order of the Purple Heart. It is now awarded to the soldiers who gave their lives in service to the nation.

Former infantry sergeant Brendan Triplett has been awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal for his services in the U.S. Army. Learn more about him here.

Japan Puts 38M Yen Golden Rugby Ball For Sale

Recently, Japan unveiled its 38M Yen (US $360,000) golden rugby ball in Tokyo as a tribute to the country’s shocking win against South Africa in last year’s World Cup. The golden ball is said to weigh around 2.8 kg and is currently displayed in the country’s oldest department store chain, Mitsukoshi. 

The golden ball is the object of much interest, not only for its weight and determinedly brilliant appearance, but for its representation of Japan’s first world tournament win in 24 years. It is hoped that the golden ball’s display and eventual sale will inspire the Brave Blossoms further when Japan hosts the next World Cup in 2019. 

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In Asia, Japan’s national rugby team have continually shocked the prevailing order in the sport. They are arguably the strongest Asian team today, and international players are impressed most by the size and speed of Japanese rugby players. There is usually a sense of superiority among opposing teams which the Japanese readily outsmart. The Japanese rugby team have participated in every World Cup event since 1987 and have performed well in all of the editions.

The Brave Blossoms’ 34-32 win over South Africa’s Springbooks was a remarkable upset in the latter’s home soil. Most bets were placed on the more well-known South African team. The Japanese win therefore went against all odds and expectations. 

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The golden rugby ball might augur and inspire not just singular victories but a continuous winning streak for the Japanese in future World Cup editions. 

Brendan Triplett is a former infantry sergeant who loves rugby. Visit this Twitter account for the latest in the sport.

Seizing The Game: The Origins Of Rugby

Rugby is a well-loved sport around the world, but not a lot of people know about its unique origins. This great British treasure has a long and rich history and has been evolving ever since.

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Many say that the game has been famous for over 2,000 years. According to folklore, the Romans used to call the game “harpastum,” which is a Greek word for “seize.” In Medieval England, young men leave work early to compete in their village or town’s football games.

 Image source: gilbertrugbyblog.com

However, a popular belief is that in 1823, a rugby school student named William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it during a soccer match. The person who made the story viral was local author and antiquarian Matthew Bloxam. Although a lot of people dismiss his account, historians from the rugby school think that this is accurate.

Before the Ellis “incident,” a local shoemaker named William Gilbert has been supplying balls to rugby school. The first balls were bigger and rounder than today’s standard. Gilbert established his company and worked with Lindon. They replaced the bladder inner tubes with rubber and did more modifications with the ball. Many years later, Gilbert is known around the world for producing quality rugby sporting materials.

A significant moment in the game’s evolution was the writing and printing of the rules. The rules of football were recorded for the first time at Rugby School. It was initiated by Isaac Gregory Smith, Walter Waddington Shirley, Frederick Leigh Hutchins, and William Delafield Arnold. Charles Harcourt Chambers illustrated the rules with images of rugby football.

Learn more about rugby by following this Brendan Triplett Twitter account.

The Bronze Star Medal: A Symbol of Courage and Valor

A military decoration in the shape of a star, inscribed with the words “Heroic Achievement” and the recipient’s name at the reverse side of the medal is awarded to members of the U.S. military who sacrificed to safeguard the country. The Bronze star medal is pinned on to soldiers and veterans in honor of their heroism while in combat with opposing military forces.

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Under Executive Order No. 9419, the award specifically recognizes heroism in ground battles, which means that aerial service is excluded. Acts of bravery and valor should be exhibited in the battlefield. Bravery of the highest form is endowed with either the Legion Merit or the Silver Star medal.

Veterans who served between December 7, 1942 and September 2, 1945 and had been recipients of the Combat Infantryman’s Badge can also receive a bronze star medal upon application. The medal is annotated with a bronze “V,” which stands for valor. Soldiers and veterans could be awarded multiple times for valor, however, only one “V” should be worn or attached to the ribbon of the bronze star medal.

Honoring real-life heroes is one of the ways the state and the people could show their gratitude and recognition to these men in uniform. The bronze star medal may just be a small decoration but it symbolizes pride and value for soldiers’ contributions to the preservation of the country.

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A former infantry sergeant in the American army, Brendan Triplett has been awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal. Follow this Twitter page to know more abut him.

Creative Concerns in Using Pseudonyms

The mention of an author’s name could bring excitement or disdain among book lovers. Names like J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, or Mark Twain could bring about opinions about their body of work. Aspiring authors have the choice to use their own name or to pick another one that has the potential to be iconic.

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Some authors use pseudonyms because they are from a different field or have been known earlier as a writer in a different genre. A horror novelist may want to switch courses and explore the historical romance genre, or a well-known physics professor may want to write an epic-like narrative. However, some authors use pseudonyms because they want to hide from their friends and families. Bearing in mind all these, an author must carefully consider the name he or she will use. When creating a pen name, an author must keep in mind that he or she will stick with it for a long time. So before using random adjectives as a pen name, spend some time and list down choices. Be clever.

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Names create impressions. When a reader browses through the shelves and sees the book cover with the author’s pseudonym on it, there has to be an interesting ring. Some people base their next purchase on the cover design. There are also a group of readers who like to pick up books after seeing a name they don’t recognize yet. An author’s goal is to gain a new patron. The challenge is to create a pseudonym that will capture their interest. 

Brendan Triplett is a former infantry sergeant, a Purple Heart awardee, rugby fan, and an author, who has penned books under the name Michael Westen. To know more about Brendan and his many interests, subscribe to this blog.