Greetings, _____________. My name is _________________.  I am requesting that WTC (and Shanksville, PA) victims and WTC responders be awarded the Secretary of Defense Medal for the Defense of Freedom

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secretary_of_Defense_Medal_for_the_Defense_of_Freedom

There is ample precedent for this.  Civilian workers at the Pentagon who were injured on 9/11 were awarded this medal. Veterans receive the Purple Heart for conditions they suffer years after their service. From 1942 to 1997, civilians serving or closely affiliated with the armed forces—as government employees, Red Cross workers, war correspondents and the like—were eligible to receive the Purple Heart. About 100 men and women received the award, the most famous being newspaperman Ernie Pyle. Many WTC responders worked under the umbrella of the Red Cross or other organizations.

The symbolism of the medal itself (the four red stripes) recognizes the four terrorist attacks using hijacked airplanes. This is their medal, it belongs to WTC victims and responders. The Secretary of Defense has discretionary authority to award this medal. I would think that if anyone deserves this, it is them.

The criteria would be simple:

1)             Anyone who was killed at WTC or Shanksville on 9/11.

2)             Anyone who is covered under the WTC National Responder Program for an eligible condition.

3)             Anyone who is eligible under the Zadroga Act.

4)             Anyone who is eligible under the WTC Litigation Settlement.

Any assistance you can provide in accomplishing this worthy goal would be greatly appreciated.

Never Forget!