Letter: Bronze Stars are awarded, not won

Come on down! You're a winner! That's the announcement that notifies everyone another person has defied the odds and can now be counted as striking life's greatest reward, some television prize, flip of the card, bingo call, etc.

In the Oct. 23 Iowa Today photo article, Douglas Shaheen of Cedar Rapids, was pictured along with a detailed and complimentary caption regarding his recent trip to Washington, D.C. with the Honor Flight veterans. The writer of the caption and the editor who should have corrected the error, inadvertently dishonored Shaheen, with one simple word; 'won.”

Shaheen is a 'recipient” and was 'awarded” two Bronze Stars for his service in World War II, for 'Heroic or meritorious achievement” while fighting an enemy of the United States. Shaheen did not win the medals on some game show or with the purchase of a scratch off ticket.

For those of us who have served in the armed forces of the U.S. and gave of our time and many, their lives for the love of this land, ask only that you indoctrinate your staff on the proper usage of the word: 'won,” in this context.

Harold Goodrich

Mount Vernon