Hey, thanks for getting shot at, here’s a wooden nickel
A few members of Congress think America’s military heroes deserve more than the equivalent of a faux Rolex from a street vendor. Under a bill introduced in both chambers last week, the Medal of Honor, the highest honor bestowed by branches of the military for service, would go from being mostly plated medallions worth about 30 bucks to actual, real gold.
The Marine Corps Times reported last week that Rep. Joe Baca (D-Calif.), who is sponsoring the bill with Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), was upset to learn that the military awards are much less valuable than the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, which run about $30,000 apiece.
Under the bill, which the duo also introduced last year to no avail, medals would have to be made of at least 90 percent gold.
“When we recognize their exceptional service, I believe the United States of America can do better than a $30 gold knock-off,” Kerry agreed, according to the article.
*I poached this story from The Hill