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The War Medal is more than just a Recognition Token

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The War Medal is a token of recognition given to those who served the United States military from April 15, 1861 to April 9, 1865. This is when the US Civil War is at its peak. The said four-year war was also known as the War Between the States.

The war occurred when the Confederate States of America was developed and the secession of some Southern states. Americans that time feared that the newly elected president Abraham Lincoln would stop the slavery and risk the slaveholding arrangements by some wealthy families.

Indeed and without much hesitation, President Lincoln tried to put slavery to a halt by advocating the Emancipation Proclamation. For he believe that all men are equal in the eyes of the Lord and of the law. He dreamed of having not one person being suppressed because he has less in life but be treated as first and foremost as humans and then as citizens of the United States. He also fought to re-establish the Union in a hope of uniting the American citizens toward one dream, one goal and one nation. With this war broke out and it all begun when the Confederate weaponry started the deadly battle on Fort Sumter in Charleston in South Carolina

 The warfare was intense and a huge number of soldiers died. With this the War Medal was created as a simple sign of gratitude and respect for a soldier who unselfishly fought for his country. The said medal is also a symbol of bravery and undying nationalism. The medal also acknowledges the sacrifices made by the soldier and its family just in order to serve the mother country during its lowest moments.

The War Medals were created under United States of America War Department General Orders Number 12 through Army Civil War Campaign Medal.

The War Medal was given to the direct descendants of the hero-soldiers. The US Civil War was the first military service recognized by a campaign medal. The very first recipient of these medals is Major general Charles F. Humphrey. And it was designed by Francis D. Millet.

President Lincoln’s image was engraved in the War Medal with the text “WITH MALICE TOWARD NONE WITH CHARITY FOR ALL”. The President was also recognized by his strength and leadership during the war. And with his advocates he will forever live in the hearts of his people. The Americans recognizes the late President’s advocacies and live with it until now. Today, slavery is found nowhere in the United States but instead equal opportunities for everyone. The United States today symbolizes prosperity and power where every American citizen is happy and enjoying the live President Lincoln designed in his mind long before.

The rest of the War Medals were given to the direct descendants of the hero-soldiers on which up until this generation are still recognized and are treated as heroes. The life they sacrificed did not go to a waste for the country they fought for is now the country everyone dreams of belonging to.

War Medals: More than just a Medal

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War Medals are very interesting items. They are more than just symbols of recognition for bravery, patriotism and nationalism but what makes it more special is the tale behind it. Moreover, War Medals connects us way back to the person who owns it, the country and the history it made. The reason why such acknowledgment was given to this particular person and the sacrifices he made just for his beloved country.

It was year 1588 when Great Britain gave out medals as a symbol of recognition and gratitude to those who made a remarkable deed in their country. And the very first medal was given to Spanish Amanda. Then later recognitions were also given to the country’s soldiers who risked their lives and survived the adversity, and to those who died wherein their first kin took place in receiving the said medal.

With this, medal collecting started in the latter part of the 19th century.  Thomas Carter the author of Medals of the British Empire in 1861 was the first well known medal collector had focused collecting War Medals. Today, medal collectors are everywhere. And it is one of the said most expensive hobbies of all times. Being a medal collector is not that easy for you have to research, go places and talk to people who are concern of a particular medal. It would not only cost you a lot of money but as well as the effort and time.

So, if you are seriously considering collecting medals, you should first know the basics and the important reminders in this kind of hobby. One noteworthy information you should keep in mind is – be aware of renamed medals. These are simple medals that have been altered from its original look. This usually happens when someone wish to replace lost or stolen medals or simply would just like to have their names engraved on a very prestigious and valuable medal. Though this is done with acceptable reasons still it diminishes the value of the medal. And there are even instances wherein it completely ruins the medal and pushing its market value really low.

But is not how old or the weight of recognition that embodied the medal that counts most but it is the tale that is attached in it.   Every medal has a story behind it and every single engraved line has a sentimental memory in stored a d that makes a medal more special.

War medals may be just a simple memorabilia to many but to the people who keeps it and knew the original owner, they would definitely say that the time and the hardships embodied in it would price more than its actual monetary value in the market. War medals came from the blood and hardships of the person who originally owns it. It is the reward for his sacrifices, his love for his country and even his dreams. A war medal is priceless for it is not just an award but it is also the heart of the person who owns it.

Britain’s War Medals

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It is a universal fact that medals is defined as a token of recognition given to a person for his or her good deeds may it be an event or simply a contribution to a community. Just like how War Medals were awarded to hero soldiers for their bravery and patriotism.  However in Britain medals are used otherwise. It is used in a more specific and special way. It may be an order, a decoration and a simple medal.

Order is a recognition given by the British government to individuals, may it be military or civilians as recognition for their valuable contribution to the mother land and as well as to the humanity as a whole.

Order has two parts. The first one is when the recipient is usually given recognition or this may be stated as the traditional way of acknowledging someone. And the second one is when the recipient has the privilege of flaunting their honor through placing extensions in their respective names. Initials such as CBE or OBE. The order has its own hierarchy and this includes:   Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GBE), Knight or Dame Commander (KBE/DBE), Commander of the British Empire (CBE), Officer of the British Empire (OBE),   and Member of the British Empire (MBE). This comes in descending order.

 The first two ranks are entitled to call themselves “Sir” or “Dame” for as long as the recipient is within British Territory. Thus, he will not be recognized as honorable outside the British territory. He is only honorable within the mentioned territory.

The other ranks can use the initials: GBE, DBE or KBE as their name extensions since they fell short with the minimum criteria to include in the top two honorable positions. These extensions come in the last part of their names.

The Decoration is the highest form of military recognition. British military medals are usually compared to Victoria Cross. However this is not actually a medal rather it is a plain decoration.

A decoration is a simple cross made of metal and is suspended in a colorful ribbon and is usually pinned in the left chest of the recipient.

The medal is very much different from the decoration. A medal is usually given during as recognition when one participates in a battle and campaign of a certain cause. Its main purpose is to recognize the effort, time and contribution one made just for the success of a particular event. It may be referred to as “campaign medal” or “service medal”.

Indeed, a medal is not always a symbol of heroism, bravery and honor. It can be a simple token of gratitude for a simple but valuable contribution to a society and to the fellow countrymen. It can be a name, a respect towards a person who did so much for the country. It can be a simple extension in a name.

Britain showed us that there are many ways in giving honors to other people. Regardless of how big or small their contribution was.