The Purple Heart was coined by George Washington soon after the Revolutionary War to recognize valor on the battlefield. As additional medals were introduced, it was awarded to those who sustained blood-letting wounds in a combat theater and under hostile fire. Marines, noted for tradition and valor, have a history of rejecting this medal, even though deserved, for many reasons, including:

• They didn't want their family to hear and worry about their injury.

• They felt that their comrades, who had suffered loss of life and limb, were more deserving.

• They did not want to be sent home or to the rear.

• They were not writing a political resume for future use.

George Quirk
Retired Marine, Montgomery

CDs would be loads lighter than books

I just heard - for the umpteenth time - that our schoolchildren are having back problems from carrying far too many textbooks. Since the state of Ohio and our federal government have already told our teachers and students what they should be tested on every year, our government needs to provide updated CDs of that information, instead of too-heavy textbooks.

Of course, teachers can give these CDs to students as well as teaching them what to do with these CDs. If they can't be used at home, students should be provided with computers at public schools as well as public libraries. Computer companies can make cheap computers that can only display text CDs. All of this could be the future of American education, both public and home-schooled.

Anthony Eversole
Kennedy Heights

Withholding Communion perfect right

Regarding Jane Eisner's syndicated column "Mind the oversimplified God gap" (Aug. 29): Why should Catholic leaders have to withhold Communion? Every Catholic should know better than to seek Communion after knowingly procuring or participating in an abortion - this includes voting to fund abortion providers.

Before receiving Communion, one must return to the state of communion with Catholic teaching by going to confession, stating a firm purpose of amendment and receiving absolution.

It is a pity that some politicians claim to be Catholic to garner votes but refuse to practice Catholicism. Their bishops have some teaching to do - and their supporters ought to do some discerning as well.

Ellen Curtin
Fort Thomas

What if statue were of another god?

I am writing in response to the letter "Statue of Christ reflects beliefs" (Aug. 30). The writer makes reference to the fact that nobody is "down" on the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. What's the correlation between an obnoxious 42-foot statue and the Freedom Center?

The writer is right in one aspect; our forefathers did want us to have the right to worship God in our own way. But how would you and your congregation feel if it were a 42-foot "Allah or a fat-bellied statue?" I highly suspect that you would be on the forefront of opposition, because, of course, only you know the true identity of God.

I would ask that the next time you and your church need to do something for the glory of God, to instead give that money to a worthy cause. May I suggest the Freedom Center?

Shaun Mueller
Middletown

Pain control essential to hospice care
Harbor Light Hospice applauds The Cincinnati Enquirer for alerting the public to a critically important issue in "Treatment for pain found wanting" (Aug. 26).

The story points out the need for better pain-control treatment for terminally ill Ohioans, especially in rural areas. It also underscores the importance of hospice care, in which pain control is an essential component. When a patient's pain is adequately controlled, he or she is better able to live well until death comes. This is a gift to both patient and family.

I support the findings of the Ohio Compassionate Care Task Force. May its work help Ohioans with terminal illness get treatment that leads to the best possible pain control - and the fullest possible life until death.

Norma Fugate
patient care coordinator, Harbor Light HospiceBlue Ash