Soldier Pawns Medal To Pay For Christmas

[Twisted Titan]

Many people head to the pawn shop during the holiday season, selling their valuables for cash to afford gifts for loved ones. But one man in Holland, Mich., loaned something priceless -- his Purple Heart.


In November, a serviceman on leave went to the A-Z Outlet in Holland, a pawn shop owned by Bryan VandenBosch, and sold one of his two Purple Hearts. He earned them after he was wounded while serving in Afghanistan, the Holland Sentinel reported.

"He was falling on hard times," VandenBosch told the Sentinel. "He said the same thing everybody else who comes in here says. He was short on funds."


Michele Belczak, an employee at Max Your Gold in Southfield, Mich., has seen customers selling valuables as they struggle to afford their holiday spending,projected to reach $646 for an average American family this year.

"It's going to hurt less to buy their kids Christmas presents, or Christmas is simply going to be better because they're going to have this extra money they didn't expect to have," she said




http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/2011/12/22/soldier-pawns-purple-heart-christmas_n_1164725.html?ref=detroit&ncid=mobile9

[mamboni]

Jamie Dimon earns $646 in about 45 seconds. This veteran was wounded in action in service to his country and now he had to hock his medal to earn similar to pay for Christmas gifts for his children. Which of these two men provided the more valuable service to the nation?

[EE_]

Jamie Dimon earns $646 in about 45 seconds. This veteran was wounded in action in service to his country and now he had to hock his medal to earn similar to pay for Christmas gifts for his children. Which of these two men provided the more valuable service the nation?

I'm dying to hear the answer to that question?

[po boy]

Well it seems that his children's happiness was worth more than the medals.

[BrewTech]

Jamie Dimon earns $646 in about 45 seconds. This veteran was wounded in action in service to his country and now he had to hock his medal to earn similar to pay for Christmas gifts for his children. Which of these two men provided the more valuable service to the nation?

While I absolutely agree with what you are implying Mamboni (I really do), I can't help but come to the conclusion that what the soldier was doing and what Monsieur Dimon represents serve the exact same purpose, in the end.

For most honest working folks, it takes many days to earn $646.00 (about a week on avg?)

Take a star major league baseball pitcher with a $9 mil/yr contract. Somebody might correct my math for me, but I figured it takes me 4-5 days (when I'm working) to earn the money he gets paid every time he throws the ball to the plate in a game.

If you want to make a boatload of money these days, steer clear of honest, useful work. It just don't pay.

[po boy]

Or if you want to make a living off war go Blackwater, no prestigious medals but surely more FRN for Christmas.

[iOWNme]

Well it seems that his children's happiness was worth more than the medals.

Only if he was silly enough to think his childrens happiness will come from materialistic items. Unfortunately, it appears he was.

[General of Darkness]

While I absolutely agree with what you are implying Mamboni (I really do), I can't help but come to the conclusion that what the soldier was doing and what Monsieur Dimon represents serve the exact same purpose, in the end.

For most honest working folks, it takes many days to earn $646.00 (about a week on avg?)

Take a star major league baseball pitcher with a $9 mil/yr contract. Somebody might correct my math for me, but I figured it takes me 4-5 days (when I'm working) to earn the money he gets paid every time he throws the ball to the plate in a game.

If you want to make a boatload of money these days, steer clear of honest, useful work. It just don't pay.

I vote this as best comment of 2011. GoD has spoken

[BrewTech]

I vote this as best comment of 2011. GoD has spoken

Thanks, Mark! I don't know what to say! It's quite an honor...

[Uncle Salty]

Jamie Dimon earns $646 in about 45 seconds. This veteran was wounded in action in service to his country and now he had to hock his medal to earn similar to pay for Christmas gifts for his children. Which of these two men provided the more valuable service to the nation?

I can't say that killing Afghani people has any value. I mean, what, Afghanistan was going to invade America?

I understand the sentiment, but fighting imperial wars for enriching the elite does not register high on the noble causes front.

[sirgonzo420]

Jamie Dimon earns $646 in about 45 seconds. This veteran was wounded in action in service to his country and now he had to hock his medal to earn similar to pay for Christmas gifts for his children. Which of these two men provided the more valuable service to the nation?

Jamie Dimon and his tribe are fucking up the world, but Dimon is less likely to be ordered to shoot me in the face for being a "domestic terrorist" or some shit.

I acknowledge the good intentions that some soldiers may have, but I don't see it as "service" to me or my country. I'm not a UNITED STATES person anyway. I'm a Kentuckian.

But I see what you're saying... It's sad. But perhaps it shows how the US treats its pawns (Kissinger term), and may discourage others from becoming cannon fodder for tyrants.

[Veni, vidi...evigilavi!]

Only if he was silly enough to think his childrens happiness will come from materialistic items. Unfortunately, it appears he was.
Maybe he does know, maybe he doesn't, but what about his kids; most kids don't learn the difference until later in life and are happier with presents and would feel sad when their friends get presents and they don't. Unless you don't practice giving presents since they were toddlers, but c'mon most parents aren't going that extreme, could you regard that his mistake was teaching his kids to receive presents was the wrong thing to do in the 1st place? Sure but if those were his religious beliefs, I don't see anything wrong, but you do bring a good point as well.