They still play the waiting game, some of those veterans who fought for our freedom Some have won, some are still waiting and some may never win.

Nine have received their long-awaited military honors and medals thanks to a demanding congresswoman and her tenacious constituent advocate.

Six others wait as U.S. Representative Marilyn Musgrave, Rep-Ft. Morgan, and assistant, Greg Burt demand that the military come out of hiding and award long-overdue military service awards.

Then there are those who may not receive their military recognition because government watchdogs who have the power to recognize their accomplishments insist on a sometimes impossible burden of proof by the veteran, or on undocumented documentation, lost or unfound, somewhere in the archives quagmire. That's where the beaurocrocy falls short.

It was at an informal gathering Sunday at Murrell's Food Emporium in Longmont that Purple Hearts and medal holders of all ranks got to talk about medals received or waiting to be awarded.

Standing high were Marine Sgt. Allen Dale June, 85, one of 29 original Navajo code talkers, and wife, Virginia of Longmont. He created the code that outwitted Japanese linguists on Guadalcanal and throughout the Solomon Islands. The congressional gold medal worn on his chest on this day was worn by his wife. His preference, salute rather than hand shake.

There was First Lieutenant Robert Keeler, 88, his Purple Heart reflecting the pains of Europe's Normandy invasion and the loss of both legs. And The Rev. Ralph Hardesty of Longmont who finally received most of his medals for his Korean War involvement. He was a locomotive engineer in Korea, hauling ammunition to the front lines.

Robert Claude Marconnet of Longmont owes his medals to Musgrave's tenacity. He served in the Air Force during the Berlin Airlift and was a Navy Sea Bee. "I would like to pass on my service ribbons to my grandchildren," the 77 year old veteran wrote. He got his wish.

Ernest Peterson of Longmont waited 62 years for medals and ribbons he earned during WWII at Omaha Beach and the Battle of the Bulge. Phone calls to the military hierarchy went unanswered; letters of appeal took a similar route. Musgrave insisted and the military gave in.

For Peterson and the others in waiting, it was like hollering down a well shaft and hearing your voice come back.

John Keane of Ft. Collins served with the Navy delivering Marines and Air Force troops to Japan where he also carried out anti sub and patrol activity. He's asking Musgrave to help him with his military ribbons. Musgrave listens. He waits.

David Alter of Longmont is in his 65 th year of waiting as the archive chiefs and military heads create alibis for their failure to present his Purple Heart. They have his medical report of injury, which Marine Corporal Alter insists was received on Guadalcanal when a rifle grenade blew him from a truck. He survived, but the moment of action went undocumented. Seven others on the mission went undocumented and, now well in their mid eighties, two are unknown or dead. The well is empty. He can't recall the remaining five.

Retired Air Force Reserves Master Sergeant Jean Murrell of Longmont spurs the veterans to go for their medals and ribbons and is instrumental in bringing them to the attention of Musgrave and Burt. She finds some. Others find Burt. And there's Robert LeRoy Murphy, Marine Corps, with ribbons of service in Japan and China.

The burden of proof on your right to your medals is on the veteran. Never mind that the military failed to document Cpl. Alter's wound, lost it or is unable to verify an incident, concluded that military records were destroyed in a vault fire in 1967. Hand wringing it's A-typical of the gibberish issued by the chief of the Modern Military Records Textual Archives Services Division. ( Can you believe such a handle?)

Harkin to the military mumbo jumbo uttered in a letter to Alter, who insisted he had it from two witnessed Marines that a Jap rifle grenade blew him from a vehicle during an eight-Marine patrol on Guadalcanal. Alter wants the Purple Heart medal that is awarded those wounded in enemy action. But he needs to provide the proof.

No documents are available, said the quagmire, because..." They" do not document individual personnel actions, or (nor do they) document casualties or injuries sustained by individuals or provide other details not concerning the unit as a whole."-Timothy K. Nenninger, records chief. Pure military mentality. ( So what if I had lost a leg or caught shrapnel in the buttocks. Just let it fester and hope for the rest, said Alter - A bloody purple shaft.")

The medical team failed to compile eye-witness reports from the seven other Marines. Bloodied rear scalp, bruises, abrasions and memory loss. Date? Injured during six months Marine Corps says Alter was "in action against the enemy."

There's circumstantial evidence to support my claim, says Alter. I offer a bloodied scalp, bruises and cuts from the explosion, field treatment, and two visits by witnessing survivors of the Marine patrol, details of the aborted mission and an emptied brain.

From the military firm: You provide written affidavit proof from those who witnessed the explosion and we will reconsider. Exhume seven bodies of Marines who cant talk? I'll consult Bella Lugosi on my way out, I say, "Your round, Nenninger."

I research and learn that Circumstantial evidence is a fact that can be inferred to uphold another fact. (i.e.: Head injury: torn scalp, treated on scene' trauma, memory loss - circumstantial, yes?)

Particulars which accompany a fact, it is written, are possible or impossible, recent or ancient and may have happened near or afar. Their circumstances influence the mind informing a judgment.

"So judge me Purple," says David

Undaunted, Congresswoman Musgrave said "This year our offices have helped nine veterans get their medals and six cases are pending.

"With some members of my family serving now, and others who are veterans, I understand the sacrifice these men and women make for their country," She said.

The most rewarding thing she does as a member of congress is to help these precious veterans get the medals they have earned.

But not even she or Burt can penetrate the inflexible mentality of a military quagmire.

And David still waits for his Purple Heart.