(Newser)
–
An out-of-work veteran has found an enterprising means of supporting his family and starting a new business: selling his Army medal. It went for $5,200 on eBay today, skyrocketing from $2,000 a few hours earlier, My Fox Washington reports. "When i saw the amount that was posted on eBay, when I saw that it was $2,000, it was just, it was overwhelming," said Bill Shephard, who returned from Iraq two-and-a-half years ago and couldn't drum up work in Woodbury, NJ.
He played by the rules, going back to school, applying for jobs, reaching out to veterans organizations, but had no luck, he tells My Fox Philly. "Instead of going under a bridge with a sign, 'Will Work for Food,'" Shephard says, "I decided to place the award online for a bid." He plans to use the money to expand his landscaping business with a new lawn mower and trailer. But his sergeant his criticized him, saying the eBay auction is an insult to the Army and his fellow soldiers.
