FBI on the Lookout for Phony Heroes This Memorial Day Weekend

What a stupid law! This just shows that we have far too many laws in the States… at this rate EVERY BODY IS A CRIMINAL… or soon will be. If some fat old man wants to feel better about his pathetic life by spouting off about being a hero, let him – and get over it!

The LIFE IN PRISON or the DEATH PENALTY, NJ?! lol And do you KNOW how much taxpayer money it takes to sustain a prisoner in the system for life? It costs even more than that to keep them on death row…
Get a grip, man…

i dont feel it’s a stupid law. The heroes that died, suffered, fought, and lived the true veteran’s life should not be disrespected in this way. There is enough other bullcrap catering to criminals these days, why add another benefit for them?

Impersinating a hero? hope they start with the white house, and then the senate, congress etc. These Zeros think they are heros. I must say the ignorance in the government is incredible! Drug test these fools would be a giood idea too! including the DC Police.

I have a better idea. Take these worthless individuals to Parris Island and have them spend 4 months going through Boot Camp. If they want to wear a Marines uniform. give them the chance or send them to jail.

Ask the men and women of our country who served if the law is STUPID? I served in the US Navy for 8 years. I’m proud of my service and it is dishearting to see these people who’ve never served or never earned these awards say they did. A strong message should be sent to these impostors. I know. Make these impostors elist, go to boot camp and instead of going to jail learn what it’s really like to earn those medals, ribbons, and stripes on their uniforms by serving our country just like the men and women before them.

Sorry, I was referring to the death penalty above abotu saving tax payers money. a 1.00 bullet is all that is needed :O)

In no way and in no uncertain terms is it EVER acceptable to pass oneself off as decorated soldier or veteran. After viewing Tim’s comments, I think Tim and people like him need to asses their own personal integrity before commenting. Medals earned by soldiers and veterans through sheer bravery, valor, honor and blood should never be allowed to be devalued by frauds and charlatans for the sake of their own personal satisfaction and public adoration. Too often these days are we ready to sacrifice our own honesty, integrity and morality so as to “let little things pass”. Draw the line.

This is about more than the pins people stick on their uniforms. It’s about the deeds behind them, and the respect people accord them with a result. The thought that these frauds would require the salutes of brave men and women who have made real sacrifices is completely disgusting. Shame on them.

Mark, No I am perfectly fine, thanks for asking. If you open your eyes and look around, you see these types of people and others getting slaps on the wrist. It’s everywhere and down right sickening. I’m sure there will be plea bargins here and there for these folks, but that’s how society is these days. Too much leniancy and not enough guts.there is so much more crime these days in the US because of lack of intimidation. steal something, lose a hand. murder or rape, lose your life. could be deemed somewhat barbariac, but it would give criminals something a little more to fear.

mark, I am fine, thanks for asking :)
just M.O. here, but laws are too leniant these days. crimes are rising, jails getting overfilled, more taxpayers money wasted on these scumbags. maybe the laws should be more intimidating and carry more fear. Like if you murder or rape, you lose your life; you steal you lose a hand. Could be deemed somewhat barbariac, but it could also make a person think twice before he/she commits a crime. to a criminal, there should be no such thing as cruel and unusual punishment. take that loser who beat up the 70 year old vet just because. let that POS get placed in a room with one of the family members of the vet with a hand axe. he already doesnt deserve to live anyways(offtopic)

Paul, that made me LOL..good idea too. I’d vote for it :)

Heath:
An alternative as stated above a few times would be to ship criminals off overseas to do very hard labor, that way they aren’t in jail sitting there.For example, send them to Africa or some place to help build homes and water, sewerage systems; work that is extremely hard labor but also has positive outcomes.

For those who take this too lightly: I guess I should lie about my military honors and ranking, just so I can get a better job, privileged benefits, and the like over ‘non-military participated’ folk. In addition, I guess it’s ok for me to lie to the younger, gullible youth about what I did as a war hero, going against what true history states. I guess you boneheads would lie about your high GPA and making Magna Cum Lada, being CFO of some big-time bank industry, yada yada yada. There are just some people in this world who are as ignorant as those lousy wannabe singers on American Idol and yet, they buy into your pack of lies.

We earned the metals that we were AWARDED. Any one who want to wear them can certainly apply to the service of your choice and see if you can fullfill all the entrance requirements. Then if they have the cahones to be able to survive and take orders without question and serve and maybe even die for our Wonderful Country, they too can wear those ribbons awarded to them. Until then, the COWARDS should be tried convicted and allowed to meet the United States Marines that Control Levenworth! Then we will see what kind of metal they are made of.

Don’t let yourselves be fooled into calling these imposters “poor slobs” or think that they only have a “fixation” on receiving accolades for things they did not do. They do this for the perks.
Have you ever seen a stranger anonymously pick up a restaurant tab for a soldier in uniform? I have…it was heart-warming. I happened to be dining with that soldier. He returned from the restroom and became embarrassed when I told him what had happened. He said he didn’t deserve that because he had not yet served in Iraq or any other battle field. I told him that he deserved it for being in uniform and willing to go when his time did come up. This is just one example of the kindness that some civilians offer to soldiers.
These imposters are in this game for the perks. That is called “gain by defrauding” and it is a felony offense. Since they are defrauding by using government materials, it becomes a federal offense. They deserve any jail-time or penalty that any other fraudulent criminal receives.

I am a civilian, working for the military, and believe it is a disgrace when an undeserved person wears the uniform or medals. However shameful it is, the only crime should be if they use it for personal or financial gain. If they are delusional they need mental help, not jail time.

They say that imitation is the greatest form of flattery. I have a friend that always wishes he had become a Marine. I was a Marine for 8 years. He walks around and does the ooh-rah stuff and talks about “his beloved Marine Corps”. Part of me is flattered because I know he admires me, but then another part of me is sad that he tries to grasp onto something he is not. He is not however a criminal.
I may be an only child, but I have millions of brothers and sisters. I live close to Arlington and amongst the rows of white stones, I see parent’s, spouses and comrades mourning heroes who no longer have a voice. These people however have us to protect their legacy and honor their sacrifice.
Being an admiring, misguided and delusional soul is not a crime. Stealing an award and a hallowed honor is a crime.

These individuals who claim to be military heroes when they not apparently crave the attention and limelight to fill up their sad and pathetic lives. I feel this is a disgrace to those in our armed forces who gave their all in the defense of this great country including their very lives. To me the sentences they have received for this outrageous afront to the true military heroes has not been adequate enough. I am glad our FBI and any other law enfocement involved in these apprehensions of these individuals continue for as long as it takes.
GOD BLESS THE MEN AND WOMEN IN OUR ARMED FORCES EVERYWHERE!

One other comment. When you see any serviceman or woman, especially if they appear to be very young, please make sure they don’t happen to be wearing an JROTC uniform. They are the same dress uniforms the servicemen/women wear and the medals and ribbons those kids earn are quite impressive.
My son just finished 4 years of NJROTC. He was on his way to a community-service project, in full dress blues. The 5 rows of ribbons and the medals he earned filled up most of his jacket breast. We had to make a stop at a store and he became quite embarrassed when a WWII vet commented that he didn’t earn that many medals during the war. My son was very quick to tell him that they were ROTC medals and said they didn’t hold near the importance that service medals hold. Although he was proud to wear his NJROTC uniform, he was bashful regarding the attention his ribbons drew.
So…just as a precaution, check to see if there is an ROTC patch on the sleeve.

I find I must agree with Shawn: Those of us who served in VietNam forty years ago ARE irrelevant to most of those around us. We were reviled rather than honored for our service; coming home was often more traumatic than remaining in-country. However, that is beside the point here. The persons who put on medals and awards that many of my friends died earning are not pathetic losers looking for some recognition; they are not mental cases in need of treatment. They are criminals perpetrating a fraud, and they are doing it for their own gain. From the ones that I have dealt with, and the accounts in Navy Times (and other sources) every one of these bastards is getting material gain from their fraud. If that gain reaches the level where jail time is appropriate, they should go to jail. But, jail or no jail, they should all be loudly and very publicly ridiculed for what they have done. Their phony acts do indeed cheapen the medals worn by people who sacrificed sweat, blood (and more) to actually earn them.

Add W to the list of fake war heros with him in the flight suit in front of a ‘mission accomplished’ sign. He’s the real fakir to go after!

First the couple of you who had to bring Bush into this, get over your pathetic, liberal, whiny lives. This has NOTHING to do wiht him.
And for those of you who never served and want to call the medals pathetic, worthless, silly, etc. Get the H*** out of my country. We didn’t put our lives out there to protect the freedom of people who want to spit on us, put us down, or just just not like us.
Don’t bite the hand that feeds (or protects) you.

I agree with Mike Jones. Send them to boot camp for a few months! That should do the trick. Or send them to Iraq, pathetic losers!

I am from a long line of military service. First let me thank all of you who have truly served this great country. I am not in the military but everybody else in my family is… parents, sister, brothers, uncle, cousin.
People dressing up like military heores is a fraud. We do get benefits for the service members’ efforts to protect and defend this country. For an undeserving person to take advantage of that truly disgusts me beyond all belief. These people should be thrown into the battlefield like so many others have said. Service is about so much more than the common civillian can understand. It is about a pride for this country. It is about bravery. It is about serving the public. It is about being part of something so much bigger than ones’ self. It is about HUMILTY. (something that gives away an imposter immediately) All of the service members I know don’t flaunt it, they rarely talk about it with random people. They talk about it with their troops, friends and family. Anything else is pretty much a fraud. Oh, and I think we could all stand to take a page from these vets. Especially the one who said he was from vietnam… HE, ladies and gents, is a true HERO. He showed humilty by simply stating his frame of reference and then saying that today is about the people serving now. All of our vets are important, from any era, and should be shown respect. Hoewever, today’s heros are being made as we speak in Iraq, Afghanistan, and many other instillations. this vietnam vet is a heor, HE is my hero, all of our soldiers are. And as for those of you who say its not a big deal, dedicate your life to something and then watch it be disrespected in such a terrible way.

My medals are somewhere in the attic. Maybe I should frame them one day…on the other hand I don’t really want to look at them everyday either. I don’t feel the need to show off. On the other hand some people are lonely, depressed, or have low self esteem and I guess want to feel needed and important. While I don’t agree with passing yourself off as a veteran or wearing medals you did not earn it or passing yourself off as somebody you are not it doesn’t really bother me. I have more important things going on in life. Even if it did bother me, some of the replys on here such as the death penalty and life imprisionment are ludacris. Just seize the medals and uniforms from the person, have them publicly acknowledge they are not a veteran and didn’t earn such and such medal and get over it. Death penalty, life imprisionment, chopping off hands for something so insignificant…that’s as bad as the Islamic militants we are fighting.

One way to solve this issue is to make it mandatory that any and all imposters who are caught must spend at least 3 years in the military and be sent to where they just might actually earn a medal or two. Even if they are two fat or unfit for duty, they can serve in a military hospital cleaning out bedpans or otherwise caring for those who deserve to be called hero…

I like the idea of punishing imposters with required enlistment. They want it, give them a taste! These medals MEAN something–and not just to the soldiers; It means something to their families! Military life is hard work, and these medals are a sign of wonderful and outstanding service! The government is giving physical recognition of a good soldier to themselves, their family, and everyone who looks at them. For someone to falsely adorn any medal takes that away from what the real soldier did.

I HOPE the FBI catches some of these poor excuses…
I read some of the off comments, those are the folks who fail to “comprehend” what honor is.. potential wannabe’s?
Thanks for the article
Wannabe Slayers
http://www.want2be.info

Keith,
I think that is perfect! If someone is caught bogusly representing themselves as a war veteran, require them to go though Basic, AIT, and serve somewhere in combat. I think that the fear of that happening to them, would scare the defication out of those cowards enough, that they would stop committing fraud against the true veterans that deserve our respect.
But yes the life long imprisonment thing wouldn’t work, it would just raise the taxes for the rest of us.
God bless the 1544th Transportation Company, and all of the dedicated individuals who stand up for our wonderful country!

On May 16th, 1996 Admiral Jeremy Michael Boorda, CNO (Chief of Naval Operations) committed suicide because he had worn a “V” for Valor on his Vietnam ribbons … that he apparently was not entitled to wear. This act underscores the importance of the issue to all military veterans.
Respectfully, Pete CPL E-4 USMC 1958-62

so whats the crime? spent many years in the marine corps air wing up to mid 70 s, had a few medals highest a few air medals as huey door gunner. those medals were used in military to exhibit ones history to fellow military not impress civilians. your petty he dont deserve that medal is childish just like his wearing it. he knows he is a poser so what… so you want to enlist these posers in the military? navy? air force? G W BUSH is a poser to!!!!!!
oorda died 16 May 1996 of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. He was reported to have been despondent over a news media investigation, led by David H. Hackworth, into Valor device enhancements he wore on his Navy Achievement Medal and a Navy Commendation Medal (small brass Vs, signifying valor in combat), which the media report claimed he was not entitled to wear. Former CNO Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, who was Boorda’s commander in Vietnam, later indicated that Boorda was authorized to wear them.[1]
Boorda also faced unrelenting hostility from a majority of flag and General Naval Officers who believed that Boorda had betrayed the Navy by allying himself with Bush and Clinton administration demands for reform in the wake of the Tailhook scandal. Aviators in particular were incensed[citation needed] by the treatment of Admiral Stan Arthur, whose nomination for the post of Commander in Chief, Pacific, was withdrawn by Boorda at the behest of a single Senator after questions were raised over mishandling of a separate sexual harassment case. [2]

idiot when and what branch did you serve or are too a poser too?

What about that guy that stood on the deck of the aircraft carrier in a flight suit a few years back and declared that the mission was accomplished?
“Book em’ Dano!”

Simple solution…. Draft them and make them earn the medals they are wearing.

We can’t control our borders, yet we focus on this?

You left wing poor excuse for use of air cry babys want to see what “government sanctioned murder” is – if you got the nuts and guts .. just google “The Marsh Arabs of Iraq”
and here’s a link case your as stupid as you sound and wonder who google killed.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2807821.stm

Go after Bush since he was wearing a flight suit next to a sign of ‘mission accomplished’ since it is hard to imagine him as a soldier in any capacity(Poppy Bush would get him a deferrment so that he could hide under a bed in Houston). There are pictures and enough eye-witness testimony to convict and then give him a BB gun, the book ‘Farsi the Fun Way’, a luminous balaclava and send him on a covert night recon mission into Iran!

My father won a Purple Heart in WWII. He was also a POW at the hands of the Germans. The Purple Heart stayed in a box and my mother has one photo of my dad in uniform wearing it. He didn’t feel the need to parade around in it. To him WWII meant having buddies killed in front of him and physical hardship at the hands of the enemy. He was scarred for life in my ways, as are many soldiers who fight in wars. These fake heroes want all the glory but they have never suffered the pain, have not endured the hardship, and have no rights. It does a great injustice to the soldiers who served. Those who have never been in the military or have not had loved ones in wars probably will never appreciate what these medals mean. So, yes, it does matter if a fake wears them.

There will always be liars and cheats in all walks of life, can’t lock them all up or even catch them. Me, as a combat marine nam vet, just focus on my brothers and sisters, revering them in quiet solitude. Semper Fi.

I think its funny. Someone referred to these guys as “poor slobs” and thats what they are. I say put their faces on milk cartons or bathroom stalls, telling of there posuer deeds and have them pull 6 month tours of KP at thier nearest military installations.

Let’s not confuse heroism with victimization.
Far too many of our military operations in the 20th and now the 21st century have been unnecessary and certainly not about defending the US from any real impending threat to our way of life or existence as a nation and society.
All of WWII and perhaps Korea were sacrifices that enlisted men and women willingly made to ensure our freedom. Unwilling draftees in these events though proving themselves heroic in the process, were heroic victims. No different than the victims of Katrina or 9/11.
The Spanish American war, Viet Nam, Panama, Grenada, Bosnia, Gulf I, and Iraq were all unnecessary military ops for the actual defense of our nation and as such made victims of our troops in order to promote other agendas rather than genuine national defense.
This is not to say that in any of these cases, be they victim or intentional heroes, our troops haven’t risen to the occasion and performed heroically.
It is to say that considering this larger truth, perhaps it’s not necessary either to promote the death of people who for whatever reason choose to pretend that that they too were heroes or victims or heroic victims in some of these events that happened in their life time.
Some of you really want to imprison or kill these imposters?
Why?
How would that make your lives any better?

This is no different than fake cops who phone people asking for cash donations to the FOP or similar charities than pocket the money. Of course the BIGGEST fake wanabe soldier is our so-called “Commander (..holding back from throwing up) in Chief GW Bush who used daddy’s influence to stay out of Texas Air Guard Duty and bought his way thru college. Hopefully a country does not get the leaders it deserves.

A few years back the editor of the “Arizona Republican, opps Republic” lied about serving in Viet Nam and had used his “service” as a way of obtaining jobs. He did not go to jail but he lost his big job as editor. I wonder what ever happened to that lying bag of Republiscum crap. If I recall his last name was Tully. He was just humiliated and that was the best thing you can do to these people.

I’ve read some pretty pathetic comments here. Many appear to be written by uninformed individuals who never served their country in any capacity. Others appear to be written by radical liberals who condone impersonators, dopers and those who would steal honors granted our military for their own self aggrandizement.
If you are among those who finds no dishonor in stealing honors awarded to legitimate servicemen then you have little respect for anything ethical or moral.
Bye the way, some clown said something to the effect that imposters are “breaking no law”. Hey, “dude” you better read up on U.S. (Federal) Law.

With a criminal in the White House, and many below him, it doesn’t make much sense to pay these clowns double-time to search for people playing dress-up…

>>>Lets not forget, many if not most medals are B.S. Remember John Kerry. He wrote up his own purple hearts for scratches. He got a bogus Silver Star.
Posted by: JosephR | May 25, 2007 3:47:27 PM<<<
Let's not forget, no matter how much documentation or eyewitness testimony one has, sleazemongers like the Swift Boat Liars for Rent will lie about your service if they disagree with your politics. And JosephR is a perfect example of the gullible audience they pander to.

Regretfully, passage of a law criminalizing what amounts to lying about one’s military service record is one more example of the extent that American society pays deference to the military but fabricating that record is no more appalling than lying about one’s work record to enhance a resume and to further one’s career. I find it personally deplorable that anyone would lie about their military service record (most true heroes know it is nothing to brag about) or resume but why is it that publicizing bogus military service for personal enhancement warrants special treatment; except as proof that Americans are more than a little infatuated with our military? Yes, a well funded and strong military is necessary in a difficult world but guess what folks: This is something we should regret and it is something that we ought to work hard to change. Instead, our society is so laden with testosterone we appear incapable of seeing war for what it is: A waste of lives and money that rarely accomplishes its intended purposes. I am sickened when I think of how many medals have been given to men and women for committing acts of bravery, and, for dying, in wasteful and stupid conflicts. Frankly, if someone misrepresents their service record they should be publicly ostracized and humiliated; just like anyone else who discredits themselves publicly should be treated. The problem is that Americans have come to see everything as means tested: If the end result is worth it than anything goes including lying and cheating. Wasting FBI personnel and taxpayer money on exposing public liars makes about as much sense as most of the wars people fought to gain their service records in the first place.

I wish they could go after the real fakes, like Bush, Cheney, Wolfowitz, Feith, Pearle who started the war in Iraq with lies, but none of them ever served in the military. Especially galling is that the US was at war at the time in Vietnam, but they either dodged the draft by using family connections to get into the Texas National Guard (not considered service under USC title 38 at the time), get a direct commission (no OCS for this guy) and have taxpayers pay for his flight lessons (he became a pilot), then go AWOL to work on political campaigns rather than complete his obligation to even the National Guard (yes Bush I am talking about you)or they never served at all (they evidently had better things to do). They are the true hypocrite’s.

Winning a medal for being trained to kill for someone elses power. People take themselves too seriously. I say everyone should get a purple heart.

For those ranting about laws prohibiting people from wearing medals:
The bottom line is these phonies’ behavior is considered FRAUD. We don’t allow people to impersonate police officers or military officers.
Some pseudo-veterans collect fees for speaking at events or are reimbursed for travel, lodging, and food. Others use the false credentials to obtain employment. All of this behavior is FRAUD. These are the people being charged with crimes… not the guy sitting on his couch with low-self esteem and fake medals.

From corporate execs to tax evaders there’s plenty of fraud out there that does a whole lot worse to society.
If you want to catch all fraud artists, fine. But pointing out just these halloween-ers isn’t going to do squat to restore justice on a national scale.
The cries for justice here are so selective and limited to personal interests.
How about we have justice for all in this country or sit back and watch some tube, because calling for justice just where your individual sensibilities have been insulted does nothing for the big picture or the betterment of this country.

NJ, have you ever served in the U.S. military services? I am just curious about it. Posted by a Vietnam-era veteran who served on active duty, with honor and with pride, during seven years (1966-1973) of that unnecessary war. I received several citations and ribbons during those years, but I would gladly give them all back in protest of this immoral war which has become a sad reenactment of the Vietnam war.

Bill Clinton and George W ran away from war and you let them be the commanders in chief. Great respect shown there for all the WW2 heroes, eh yankees.

You know these imposters are bad people and it’s a shame that they behave in the manner they do. What is worse though is people who say such crazy insane things like these people should be in jail for life or get the death penalty. YOU are as sick as or worse than the imposters.

Brother boots know each other and quietly pass the torch to the next generation, today’s heros. The phony braggarts are more to be pitied than scorned. No one hates them as much as they do themselves. 6T.

DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS

I think I’m gonna run down to the paw shop and find me a me-dal.

I did Vietnam – two tours 67-69 as recon scout. I was wounded twice, I never wore my rank or metals in country or back in the world as I ETS’d right from Vietnam.
I came back to a USA that was different from when I left. I got sick of the crap not only from the civvies but the system as well.
Finally I made my move.
I moved to a place where people appreciate the people who put service to their country and get respect.
I didn’t leave America it left me.
I voted and it made no difference so I voted with my feet.
I now live in Australia.
I wouldn’t live in America for quid’s.
Every time I visit I reconfirm my decision over and over.
I really believe that if tomorrow were 7 Dec 1941 the day after there would be protests to negotiate a peace.
Metals, rank and pretending, how pathetic. Bring smoke on their ass, make an example so no other idiot would ever want to take that chance. But this is the new America, I will sit back here and watch what happens. I really hope I am surprised that someone has enough salt to do something.
I like the idea of them working cleaning bed pans at Walter Reed or something like that.
Those who say “Just get over it”, have never had something to get over themselves. Of course it means nothing to them, they never did anything.
Someone needs to make a web site to list the names of the imposters with actor Brian Dennehe at the top.
Forgive but NEVER FORGET !!

I want to put an end to all of this bickering back and forth. As a proud member of the United States Military, let me state the facts.
- Most military members take great pride in their medals. Most of the time, they feel they did not deserve such a high honor. Some “brown-nose” to get ahead, but so what…does it really affect you.
- As for the phony military members…they should not be allowed to impersonate a military member. I personally find it disrespectful and an embarrassment. Because with such honor as wearing the uniform, comes rules and respect. If the phony does not know the rules, he will inevitably screw up and make the real military look foolish. How many people hate police officers because of one “stupid” cop?
- As for the hard line acts for punishment…the gov’t is not trying to scar a nation, only punish someone for trying to gain benefits and respect that was not earned. It’s about not cheating on people’s emotions and the system.
- As for the public humiliation…look at the messages written above. How many people had different opinions about what to do. Get real! Yes, they will be publicly humiliated. Just leave that up to the press. The result= Some will shun them and others will not care.
The most threatening and the bottom line…if a simple individual needing attention (or whatever) can get these medals and parade around in a veteran gathering, what do you think terrorists could do? For those that don’t agree with the law, think about the consequences.
And my final thought…whether or not you support the new law, remember, your elected officials agreed and thought it something that needed to be done. That tells me that there are quite a few politicians out there that fully respect the American service member and think these phony military member should be stopped.
Again…I am proud of my US Military and the medals on my chest! I wear them with pride and honor. I earned every last one, from my basic training ribbon to my highest medal. If you have never served, you will never truly appreciate the honor (oh by the way, these honors are given by peers, bosses, the branch of service, the nation, the President, and Congress). When I retire, my medals will be a testament to a full and honorable career serving this great nation. Nothing more, nothing less.
God Bless our troops…past…present…and future.

Wish there were more US Attorneys like
Bradley Schlozman so that more of these phonies paid the price for dishonoring our troops by receiving the max sentence.

None of us “chasing phonies” are going after the guys telling bar rooms tales. We are going after the guys falsifying documents to get free license plates. Or getting on the front page of the newspaper where a REAL hero should be. We go after the guys claiming combat, when they never left the states – to get VA disability at $2400 a month and THEN social security too. They speak in schools, and record their fairy tales for history preservation projects. Do you know how many times we have heard that someone ate a raw rat, escaped captivity and earned the nations highest recognition – the Medal of Honor? Those that EARNED the MOH continue to serve their country AND try to have a private life till the end of their days. The public service committment involved in unbelievable.
So which way do you want it?
-free license plates
-free fishing and hunting
-property tax breaks
-miliatry base access
-cheap world travel
-VA care
-Health insurance provided for the spouse
-discounts at motels
-discounts at retailers
-awards and recognition in parades, schools, Clubs
-burying our REAL heroes….
using
-falsified douments
-bogus notarized “witness” statements
-altered permanent records
-the bogus news stories
-the bogus books they write
or being the real thing?
It’s YOUR tax dollars being wasted.
If it was your mother or sister being scammed out of her life savings – you’d be calling the cops and asking why no one will listen….

While I think it’s sad that some people feel the need to make up a life for themselves, I can think of lots of other ways we could improve the quality of life in this country. How about starting with our imposter of a president?

Hi.
Yesterday, I got to go to the memorial service for the five American men who recently died aboard a helicopter in Afghanistan. I knew two of them, having flown and worked with them after fixing their aircraft.
I saw them mere hours before their last flight.
And now I read this article here, and I see so many of these user comments exclaiming stupidity, too many pointless laws, waste of tax dollars, and all the other little politcal buzzwords lying around these days, and I can’t help but get angry. Here are men that I work with every day dying, and there are people back home reaping the ‘benefits’ of their deaths. Someone who didn’t have the guts to put their neck on the line like these men did, claiming that they have done so, and they deserve the honor.
A lie is a lie, and when it dishonors those who’ve served and died, it grows uglier. And when that lie is used to steal from the very people we serve and die for, it becomes criminal. It defaces us as much as it does them.
I can’t stand how many people will dump on the military, just because its part of the government.
Instead of complaining, how about doing something to fix things?

In 2004, the local American Legion and VFW had a Member as the guest speaker on Memorial Day. He was supposedly a Marine Major wearing more than 20 ribbons, 11 of the top 18 that Marines might receive for extraordinary service. It was questionable and I approached both groups who declined to take any action. Through other Marines and an FBI agent in NJ, I developed a case against the guy and referred it to the largest newspaper in the state. They finally printed it after two months. In 2005, the US Attorney prosecuted the guy on a misdeameanor charge and he received two years probation, 100 hours of community service along with mandatory mental health treatment. Most of us retired Marines felt that it was a slap on the wrist for what he had done. However, the story was picked up by national news services and received good coverage. That has resulted in the word getting out about these phonies. Semper Fi Jim K.

Thanks, Mary , for saving me a lot of typing. Excellent response. Those of us who really DID serve our time (i put in 21 years active) thank you.

It is a slap in the face to me and all other service members for these imposters to pose as heros when we have watched our brothers and sisters die in combat for eachother and be awarded medals of valor for thier actions. HONOR OUR FALLEN NOT WEAR WHAT THEY NO LONGER CAN.

British and the Commonwealth have this tradition of wearing medals,which is fine. American traditions follow a different path. My medals hang in a shadow box, next to my fathers WWII medals shadow box.
As a Vet, (like must) I visit my dads grave on Memorial Day, have a big cook out with friends and family on the 4th, and on Veterans day, this vet prefers to sit on the sofa with the remote and maybe give call to an old shipmate and swap old sea stories about some forgotten liberty call overseas (back when I was young and had hair, and my pant size didn’t equal number of states CONUS)

What about the dopes at the VA that bought these imposter’s stories and ended up giving the imposter’s C&P awards? (That’s cash for you civilians)