The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York. With its forerunner, the Badge of Military Merit, which took the form of a heart made of purple cloth, the Purple Heart is the oldest award that is still given to members of the U.S. military, the only earlier award being the obsolete Fidelity Medallion.
The original Purple Heart, designated as the Badge of Military Merit, was established by George Washington—then the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army—by order from his Newburgh, New York headquarters on August 7, 1782. The Badge of Military Merit was only awarded to three Revolutionary War soldiers and from then on as its legend grew, so did its appearance. Although never abolished, the award of the badge was not proposed again officially until after World War I.
Robert Alan Johnson (born February 8, 1951) is an American football coach and former player. He was most recently the head football coach at Vanderbilt University, a position he held from the 2002 season until his retirement in 2010. In December 2001, Johnson became the Commodores' head coach, after leading Furman University to the Division I-AA national championship game. He coached the Paladins between 1994–2001, leading the team to a 60–36 overall record during his eight years. Prior to his hiring at Furman, Johnson was also the defensive coordinator for the Clemson Tigers. In 2008, Johnson led Vanderbilt to its first winning season since 1982. His team went 7–6 with a 16–14 win over Boston College in the Music City Bowl, Vanderbilt's first bowl victory since 1955 and only their second in school history.
Johnson was a standout in football, basketball, and baseball during his time at Eau Claire High School in his native hometown of Columbia, South Carolina.
He continued his success in football at college, where he played both wide receiver and cornerback for Clemson University. In the 1971 and 1972 seasons, Johnson led the Tigers in interceptions. Johnson was twice named as an ACC All-Academic honoree. He graduated from Clemson in 1973, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in management, before earning his master's degree in education from Furman in 1979.
I should get the purple heart for loving you after all the pain you put me through
When they start passing medals out to fools I will get the purple heart for loving you
There was nothing in the headlines to day you won the war
The one and only casually was me
You put me out of action so many times before
And left me on this battlefield to bleed
And I should get the purple heart...
[ steel ]
No one knows that I'm a hero there's no medals on my chest
All my wounds are hidden deep inside
I volunteered to love you hoping for the best
But all you ever done was cheat and lie
I should get the purple heart...
When we signed up for the army
To a rangers company
Armed with M16's
Straight into the war
Then we served under the banner
Clad in US stars an stripes
And on moonless nights
We marched for endless miles
[Chorus:]
Once we were soldiers
Once we were young
We have found our peace
We've seen the end
Fallen in war
We belong to history
Fallen in war
Sleep 6 feet below
Hearts of the brave
Cannot bring me back to life
Fallen in war
Still brothers in arms
We have fought in distant conflict
And for all to many years
Seen our friends go down
Wounded dead or lost
Know that peace comes at a high price
It may take a thousand lives
And a deep belief
Sacrifice of men
[Chorus]
Shining heart beats no more
Buried deep deep in cold earth
Shallow grave in my motherland
Here I stay in darkness forever
Fallen in war
We belong to history
Fallen in war
Sleep 6 feet below
Hearts of the brave
Cannot bring me back to life
Fallen in war
As I sit and wait
I can't rest my head
I light my fire
As I smoker another cigarette
You want everything
But you break apart
There's no compromise
Inside your purple heart
Inside your purple heart
Inside your purple
Psycho purple
Inside your purple heart
I smoke another cigarette
Inhale it into my lungs
Yes it takes my life away
And then it turns around
Oh, I'm gone into the next life
and far beyond
Oh, I'm gone into the next life
and far beyond
I had my purple heart
At the foot of her command
Before I had a chance to take a stand
I creed my ditch and ran
To the furthest city
Disinfected the wounds with alcohol
I thought it would go away
If I didn't stay there
But it burns like an eternal napalm fire
In every crowded place
In every song we play
There is always a darken echo of a voice
I thought it would go away
If I didn't stay there
But it burns like an eternal napalm fire
Even when we in ocean sleep
With lungs securely breath around me
We fall with nowhere to land
'Cause our bruise be stolen
Heart are swollen
My purple heart
We went and came again
Road's long when we carpet it
Like a flake of snow she melted in my hand
What's bothering you now
You've got a weight
Slowing you down
Pushing further to the ground
Happy heart
There's something on your mind
Are these the same old stories
Takin' up your time
Let it go for once, try
Time to style
Lost the battle in the war
So take the order of a purple heart
Seems like life has made you sore
So take the order of a purple heart
Take the order of a purple heart
All the bridges that you built
They're going down in flames
Cards that you were dealt
Everything is going to hell
So far gone
But I can never understand
How it is that you
Deny a helping hand
Now they'll try and wrap the man
Who you are
Lost the battle in the war
So take the order of a purple heart
Seems like life has made you sore
So take the order of a purple heart
Take the order of a purple heart
Swinging lights away
From the bathroom floor
Ooh but he can't hear
What you're crying for
Ooh, purple heart
Ooh, purple heart
Who threw up the white flag when the bodies grew too great? Felt the harsh
Grip of failure and sent it sailing high.
What happened to the code of honor we used to entrust? Ideas once carved in
Stone have now turned to dust.
Where is the oath we swore our allegiance to? Convictions cheapened by all
The noise these boys make while dressed like men.
When's the pure disgust gonna rear it's ugly head? Stirred by anyone,
Everything, tries to crumble what we've built.
Why have I been so blind to the traitors of my faith? What has come to
Pass, now seems so obvious. How can I not grit my teeth, or place my tongue
In my cheek, when I say:
When I say: No more room here for the bastard thieves who steal hearts and
Disappear. No room for those who come apart at the bayonet's gleam. So
Please show me someone who won't retreat, someone who's gonna stay frosty
When the guns and cannons begin to erupt; someone, as they are painted with
Blood and guts. Show me.
through the fields of flame i ran with you
every blow you took i took with you
i lied for you when you moved underground
and covered you as the storm of rage came down
but i will not wear you like a purple heart
to the raging moon burning in the sun
i held on to you you held on to no one
i followed you 'til you were out of sight
and felt the pain as the bullets took the night
but i will not wear you like a purple heart