American soldiers died last year in the war against Afghanistan. But even more deaths occurred amongst civilians working in Afghanistan on behalf of American military forces, especially the Department of Defense. And experts say the number of independent contractor deaths is underreported. To a great extent, America has "outsourced" its wartime casualties, often hiring third-world nationals as private bodyguards and interpreters.
Such employees are often dismissed as "mercenaries," but when they die in combat, their deaths are just as real to their families as the deaths of American soldiers.
And yet, only American military personnel are recognized with the purple heart, the ultimate badge of a hero. This means that civilians who die or become injured working in American wars are not recognized for the enormous sacrifices they and their families often make. Tell Congress to right this wrong and award purple hearts to civilians who die or are injured the same as America's military.
We the undersigned ask that you award the purple heart to civilians who die in combat, serving America's armed forces. When body guards and interpreters are killed, their sacrifice is just as heroic and devastating to their families as an American death. We beg you to redress this obvious inequity and award purple hearts to all those who have earned them, not just American military personnel.
