YOU SAID IT: Readers Respond to Purple Heart Story

Last week, we told you about Pvt. Donald Arnold, a resident and World War II vet who, as the last living medic in his unit in a 1945 battle in Schlidgen, Germany, cut shrapnel out of his leg, bandaged his own wound and treated other soldiers.

Arnold did not complete paperwork on his own wound that day, and because of that, waited 67 years for his Purple Heart, which Sen. Sherrod Brown will give him next week. 

You had lots to say about Arnold's ordeal. Below, we rounded up some of the comments on this story.

Many readers logged in to thank Arnold for his service:

: "Each time I see a Military person male or female from any of the four branchs, I salute them. These men & women are why our nation is still free and we owe them more than what our Gov't gives them."

: "As a Purple Heart veteran for the OEF generation, I'm glad the gov't finally opened their eyes and realized the truth...Congratulations, Pvt. Arnold"

: "Thank you for the service to our country. God save the United States and the constitution! From a disabled Republic of Vietnam combat veteran."

Some people took the opportunity to get political, thanking Sen. Brown for helping Arnold get the medal:

: "Thank you for your service Pvt. Arnold. This is yet another reason I am proud to call Senator Brown my Senator."

: "A wonderful story. Good work Senator."

And a couple had a totally different take on the story, questioning whether Arnold deserved the medal:

: "We were given a direct order not to get killed, captured or wounded. So the outfit never gave Purple Hearts as that would have meant someone broke a direct order. It was also said that they did not want to worry those at home. I guess if someone was wounded bad enough to go back to a hospital in the states then they got a purple heart. I can not understand why those who disobeyed orders and got wounded or captured are treated as heroes. Those of us who fought the war and lived in foxholes get nothing."

 responded to Thomas: "I hope you are being sarcastic and not serious. That war was not won by merely sitting in a foxhole (and I am not saying that was easy), but by going beyond what their gut told them to do and jump in the line of fire to try and save others. Don't be bitter; be happy that there are still others out there getting recognized long after the war ended. If you joined the military for the recognition, then you picked the wrong line of work, my friend. Be proud of your service just as all of us are. Be grateful you made it out alive. Whether you "lived" in a foxhole or out, you are no less of a man than he."

What do YOU think about this story? or just tell us your thoughts in the comments below!