The Purple Heart

 

Yes, I’m Canadian and proud of it but I always liked the Purple Heart which we don’t have in Canada otherwise my Dad would have one. The theme this week, over at Monday Music Moves Me, is about the theme of Honour or the colour Purple and since most chose Purple, I went a different route and hope you like it.

1. SHUTTERS AND BOARDS SUNG BY DEAN MARTIN-1962

This song was written by Audie Murphy with music by Scott Turner and you wonder…how is this appropriate? Audie Murphy is the most decorated American soldier ever. He was small in size, which is why he was not accepted by the Marines and the Paratroopers, but it was the Infantry’s gain. You need to read about him because he was in more than one skirmish with the battle of Anzio being the most famous. He was wounded but, in a burning tank, held off a German attack with a machine gun. He was known to have killed close to 300 German soldiers in battles he was in. After the war, he wrote the book, “To Hell and Back” which was later made into a movie starring Audie Murphy. He did become a film star, mainly in Westerns and was a better than average star but he also suffered from crippling PTSD and was an alcoholic. He wrote many pieces of music as well with this song being one. Sadly, he died in a plane crash in 1971 at the age of 45. To red more bout Audie Murphy, you can go here

2. THEME FROM M.A.S.H.  SUNG BY THE RON HICKLIN SINGERS-1970

This song was written by Johnny Mandel with lyrics by Michael Altman and the instrumental version was the theme for the great TV show M.A.S.H. in fact, you see the Purple Heart given a few times in the TV show. It does show Ferret Face…aka Frank Burns put in for a Purple Heart because he stubbed his toe ( I am certain things like this truly did occur) but, the Purple Heart finds its way onto a baby who survived being shelled by friendly fire. James Garner, from Maverick and The Rockford Files fame fought in the Korean War and received 2 Purple Hearts one in combat and one due to Friendly Fire.

3. DOES ANYBODY KNOW I’M HERE SUNG BY THE DELLS-1968

This song made me think of the Late Senator John McCain, who earned 2 Purple Hearts plus other medals during his time in Vietnam. He was severely wounded in the legs and chest and was taken by the enemy in 1967. The North Vietnamese tortured him, beat him severely and he suffered from dysentery. He was in this hellish condition until 1973 when there was a POW swap. He could have left earlier, but he gave up his freedom, more than once, to have his fellow comrades who left for freedom. When he returned he suffered from PTSD and physical issues where he could never lift his arms over his head. He became a senator for the Republican Party and was a vocal opponent to the Cheesy ( who treated this courageous and honourable man atrociously) but, sadly, he died from cancer. He is a true hero. I never thought I’d say that about. republican:)

What songs spring to your mind when you think of songs of valour?