A federal bill that would make it illegal to sell Purple Heart medals has pitted veterans and military collectors against one another.

"They market something that I spilled blood for," says Connie Steers, a Hicksville resident who received a Purple Heart after becoming injured by sniper fire in the Vietnam War. "I think they could collect, but don't make a profit off our blood."

Steers, who spent 10 months recovering from his injuries at the Norfolk Naval Hospital, says he is a strong supporter of the Purple Heart Preservation Bill. It would ban anyone from selling, buying, trading, importing or exporting the medals.

Local collectors say the medals are a show of patriotism.

"Coming from a military family, I was always fascinated by the armed forces," says Pat Testa, of West Islip. "It's no different than tying a yellow ribbon to a tree or slapping a 'Support Our Troops' sticker to the bumper of my car."

Testa has six Purple Hearts in his collection, which he says he purchased for as little as $50 to as much as $400.

"They're insulting us," Steers says. 

Violators of the proposed law would be subject to fines and possible imprisonment.