As a collector of posthumously awarded Purple Heart medals, I am writing to refute an earlier guide published by another Ebay user who falsly claimed that the Stolen Valor Act of 2005 outlaws the sale, purchase and trade of US Military medals, including the Purple Heart, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross and Air Force Cross, among others.  This is not true.  After contacting my US Congressman, Senators, and Federal authorities about this matter, they have made it clear the Stolen Valor Act of 2005 DOES NOT outlaw the sale, purchase or trade of these medals.  US Senator Kurt Conrad (D-ND) made this clear on the floor of the US Senate on 27 February 2007, when he read into the official record that any medal that was allowed to be sold, purchased and traded before the Stolen Valor Act of 2005 went into effect was still legal after it became law.  The Stolen Valor Act only strengthened the law prohibiting the sale of the Medal of Honor, and against those who falsely claim to have received these medals.  That is all.  Ebay has erroneously decided to ban the sale of Purple Heart medals, despite being shown over and over that their new policy is not based on the Stolen Valor Act of 2005, as they claim it to be.  I hope that other collectors will contact Ebay and demand that they change their policy to reflect U.S. law, and that those of you with these medals to sell will take the time to find a collector who will cherish the memory of the soldiers who received them and who will preserve them for future generations and not throw them away. 

Thank you.

Ed Maier

www.tohonorourfallen.com