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From the forums

THIS MEDAL MEANS A LOT

I unknowingly became our company’s first volunteer coordinator when I first suggested increasing our visits to a local children’s orphanage from once a year to once a month. This quickly snowballed into two orphanage trips a month, plus one other monthly event such as taking the children to a museum or having a barbecue.

It wasn’t about medals, but over the course of one year, and well over a thousand combined man-hours of preparation and participation, six Military Outstanding Volunteer Service medals were given.

Out of all my medals, although it may sit on the bottom row, this medal has the greatest and fondest memories for me. Most of my medals bring back times and places I would rather forget, but this one is something else altogether.

I am not sure if I like the idea of putting a point score on it [“Volunteer medal wins you points,” July 27] — it’s just not that kind of award. But at the same time, I think the Army has got its heart in the right place for wanting to recognize the hard work that is normally associated with this medal.

— VIVIDEMAGE

ARMY EXPANSION CONCERNS

Sounds like a great idea. [Add at least] 22,000 more of us yet, as stated, no authorization to pay for it. Why don’t you make sure you can provide housing and health care for those of us in now, rather than worry about growing.

— RONALD45

Hope the recruiters (really their bosses) don’t go out of their minds again recruiting everybody and their brother no matter what, so that they can get that ribbon and medal, and all others have to deal with the trash they send us.

— Master Tanker

TRICARE BEATS ALTERNATIVES

I’m not saying Tricare is perfect, but it’s always done me and my family pretty well. It may be a little hassle at times, but what isn’t? That being said, I doubt a national health care system will be anywhere near as good as Tricare, and I don’t want anything to do with it.

— Measure Man

I wouldn’t want to rely on my health care from an insurance company [that] can cancel a policy for any reason. Tricare may not be perfect, but unless I’m willing to spend $50K (which I can’t afford) on a private, top-of-the-line insurance policy, I’ll take Tricare any day of the week.

— LogDog_guest