Civilians posing as vets to get discounts? What would you do?

PFC Zanie Young that great, but what I think many don't understand is that a lot of that is state run not federally run. I haven't had to use any VA benefits so I haven't signed up for a VA card. I'm not retired so I don't have a military ID. NJ doesn't have DV Veteran plates or licenses either. I would have to carry my DD214 around with me which is a little impractical. This is why many of us feel that the federal government should just create a veteran ID card. They could even charge us the cost of the card...I mean how much could it cost? Then even if you are in a blue state like me that doesn't care about veterans we could still practically show ID. Although I am glad your state has a lot of that brother. Just my two cents!

I agree PO2 Jonathan Scharff, the federal government should have already done that, instead of putting us through the usual runaround. It really should not cost them much, anyway.

I would confront them and let them know of the injustice, they are doing to the Nation, the VETS of past, present and future. It really hits home when you know VETS that made the ultimate sacrifice.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydWhRObVxrM

If I knew, I would say something. I wouldn't feel bad about it. What kind of low life would make such a claim just to get a few dollars off of a purchase or trying to get a free meal. I would like for the police to check the validity of the vets who are sitting on street corners in a town near here and if they are fakes, lock them up for a while. The Lowe's near me always asks for a military ID, but they will also take a VA photo ID. If the place just takes your word for it, that's their loss. There are exceptions...

We have our "local loco" who dresses as a police officer, military veteran, Blues Brothers, etc. Everyone knows these brothers and just goes about business as usual. But there are some out there do need their chains yanked. It would piss me off to no end if one of them got a free meal while a deserving vet did not.

Dan,
I agree that it is the organizations loss if they don't double check, but still isn't right and unnerving that there are people that would even consider it. I haven't seen many, just one to be exact, but couldn't believe that it could happen.
thanks
Steve

It is very upsetting, and IMO, creation of the stolen valor act was necessitated by the fact that there are many dirtbags out there. Probably best, in the case where we as veterans would witness such an act to observe and report to the proper authorities. I also get upset at people who park in handicapped spots who are not handicapped, many people in this world have no core values.

When I first got a discount at Home Depot I had CG Vet T shirt on and was at the self check out, a Home Depot employee approached me and asked if I was a vet, when I said yes they gave me a discount without any ID. After that I started to carry a copy of my DD 214 and it has been accepted at Home Depot and Lowes. I only use it if I am buying something fairly expensive.

I was angry and the manager said that she would call the police since I outed him. Too bad too, because his wife and daughter was there. I tried to be discrete and he forced it out into the open.

I was up in Wash state at a busy intersection watching a man asking for money on the corner, he just didnt fit the bill of a homeless vet so I decided to stay and watch a bit.His sign said HELP A HOMELESS VET. After like 30 minutes or so a huge monster of a car pulled up and parked not too far from this guy and a woman got out with a bucket of KFC and proceeded to walk to the man, my 1st thought was wow...what a nice woman... but that changed when he called her sweetheart, told her pickings were good that day and he would see her at home, kissed his wife and went about his panning for money. I was furious!!! rolled my wheel chair up to him and started asking why he was posing as a homeless vet and why he didnt work a real job. He got all pissy with me, asked if I wanted him to wheel me in front of a car and to get off his corner and bother someone else. Only thing I could do was leave and call the police. I explained what happened and they asked me to go back and wait for them.When they showed up he 1st tried to act as if he was a passerby, then said a man asked him to hold the sign while he went to the bathroom, then tried to say he WAS a vet and they should shame themselves, wound up with no ID on him and had to call his wife who showed up 20 minutes later yelling at the cops and I about harassing poor black people. He wound up getting sited for loitering, the money he made was confiscated, his wife got a ticket for illegal parking and warned for obstruction and he was told that he had best not get caught again impersonating a VET. I was happy but thought he should have been arrested for fraud.

We have a guy who wears ACU coveralls on corners all round town claiming to be a homeless vet. I have never seen a car or anyone else just him and his sign. But every time I see him I am curious. He sure doesn't give you the vibe he is a vet. We do have quite a few places to help vets in need here.

This guy was passing himself off as a homeless Vet which kinda made the situation worse for me because i was homeless at that time and staying in Seattle at that time named William Booth center.he was doing this not far from the shelter to give it more reality to the public I guess, its losers like him that make it difficult for the real vets who are struggling.