For Kevin, Joyce and Debbie Lucey the recent news from the Pentagon is disappointing.
On Tuesday, the Pentagon decided that it will not award the Purple Heart for veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder because it's not a physical wound.
But the Lucey's argue otherwise.
On June 22, 2004, their son, 23-year-old Jeffrey Lucey, a former Marine, hung himself after returning from Iraq a year earlier.

Kevin Lucey said, "If anybody even questions how lethal or how damaging PTSD can be and whether it's real we would invite them to go down to our son's grave."

The Lucey's say they know first had that not enough is being done to help Veterans suffering from PTSD and denying them recognition is another step in the wrong direction.

Debbie Lucey said, "It's reinforcing a stigma that is that is already set that so many veterans and their families are trying to overcome."

Traditionally the medal has been awarded to men and women who have given blood in defense of their homeland and not those who have suffered mental disorders.
The Lucey's say their son paid the ultimate price and in the end his blood was shed.

Kevin Lucey said, "Unless you see blood then it's not really a wound, well I can tell you the day that I found our son Jeff was bloody, on his arm and down his shoulders."

Defense Secretary Robert gates says they may revisit the decision.
Either way the Lucy's say the fact that it's even an issue has already disappointed many veterans and their families.

Kevin Lucey Said, "If they don't want to give the purple heart, fine, but then shouldn't there be something for the sacrifice that they gave, couldn't there be another type of recognition that could be given."