Posted on Mar 12, 2020
SrA Sheila Holmes
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Last night a person that I know from a local motorcycle group (not Legion) said that the group honored her father who recently passed with a flag line. She said that they pressured her into the flag line even though her father never served in the military and she told them that. The headquarters President justified it by saying, “Well he received a draft notice, didn’t he?”

Later in the conversation, she mentioned one of our mutual friends as being a veteran and that he would not have allowed anything like stolen valor. I told her he was not a veteran and that we actually both belonged to the same American Legion and he grew up hanging around the American Legion post, but he is a member of the Sons of the American Legion; he is not a Legionnaire, not a dual member, and he is not a veteran. We argued for about five minutes over this and I finally hung up.

I’m returning my colors tomorrow; I never even wore them but I don’t feel comfortable with this group now.

I see the draft notice as different from actually having served. Am I wrong?

03/16/2020 Edit: Yesterday, one of the members contacted me back and clarified, "The flag lines are for anyone we want to honor, first responders, military, and our families are very high on the list." As they say here in Phila, "I'm feelin some type of way about this." I told him he needs to educate the entire group on who their flag lines are for, and as a representative of the organization, the secretary should know better.

03/23/2020 Edit: The moto group is NOT the Legion Riders -just a local moto org that promotes themselves a veterans and first responders group)

09/07/20 Edit: Well, after much anxiety, I wanted to update about this. Covid hit and I haven't been back to that group. The Sgt at Arms felt I shouldn't make any hasty decisions, but I just knew it wasn't a right fit. More recently, after watching the group respond to peaceful BLM march with "No they don't" when marchers proclaimed, "Black Lives Matter," and screaming at the marchers "Black Lives Splatter," display their flag line as if fellow protesting citizens aren't patriotic, use the local VFW with confederate flags and a woman veteran screaming and flipping off protesters, and watching two of their trucks dump black diesel smoke right in front of peacefully marching protesters, I cut ties with the group by initially removing the vast majority from facebook. The very next day, their Sgt At Arms felt the need to send me a private message on FB, "I see you unfriended me, friend," with a big ole thumbs up, which I ignored. A few days later, he sent me this big long Trump rant about how he was supporting troops (he never served) and I let him have it. I told him I don't care who he votes for, but his behavior doesn't represent me, and if he contacted me again, I'd file harassment charges -and I blocked him on messenger. Two days later he sends a text, "I've been ordered to collect our patches from you. Namely our backpatch and alpha chapter." I told him I burned them and that if he contacted me again, I'd involve the police. So that's that. Always go with your gut.
Edited >1 y ago
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CWO4 Tim Hecht
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A draft notice was only that. The local draft board was notifying an individual that they were being drafted and ordering them to report first to the draft board in response to their notice (where the individual could “appeal” the notice) and then to send that person to the local Armed Forces Entrance and Examining Station (now called MEPS) for a pre-draft physical and mental exam. If the person passed and no exemption was given by the draft board then they were most likely sworn into the Army. There was a time when supposedly someone went down the line and told the draftees what branch they were drafted in to.

In 1970 one normally must have served 181 days (6 months and a day) to be considered a Veteran for VA Benefits. I retired in 2001 so I don’t know if the 181 days still holds true.
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SPC Brian Stephens
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Edited 3 y ago
No. Receiving a draft notice is not the same as serving. My Dad received a draft notice but he was rejected from the draft because he was working at NASA at the time as a wind tunnel technician.
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MSG Allan Davis
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No absolutely not a veteran. Second you don’t have “colors” only legit MCs have colors dude.

Gar 1%er
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SrA Sheila Holmes
SrA Sheila Holmes
4 y
MSG Allan Davis Hahah; 1%ers don’t get to make the rules for the 99% Even riders evolve. Have a great day and hope you’re getting some wind therapy in all this viral distancing.
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MSG Allan Davis
MSG Allan Davis
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SrA Sheila Holmes you should ask around about just how true that is. You really should
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SrA Sheila Holmes
SrA Sheila Holmes
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MSG Allan Davis What do you think this post is doing?
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SrA Sheila Holmes
SrA Sheila Holmes
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MSG Allan Davis NVM; I actually thought you were on Then original topic of this post instead of derailing it down an MC pissing contest. I’ve been a member of seven different riding groups and am a member of an MC, so I‘m well aware of what the groups call them. I don’t need your mansplain or your pissing contest. We ain’t all interested in living the wannabe SOA life, Bro. Boy, Bye.
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Pvt Antonier Bolton
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And a true veteran would never criticize the constitution of the United States but they will uphold the Constitution of the United States in a true veteran believe in democracy for all. And not the color of a person skin. And there are many veterans who were drafted in Vietnam they got killed in Vietnam and it seem like you’re a person who just went in the military doing a peacetime war The reason because there no draft. So please do not disrespect another person because of that service put yourself in their shoes while they get drafted or why did I spent 180 days in the military it can happen to one of your son go in the military and get a broken leg within 180 days he be sent home automatically so be careful what you say about people or how you treat them because of their service
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Pvt Antonier Bolton
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My dad served in the military he was 16 years old back in World War II and got out when the Korean war broke out he went back in the Korean War he retired in 1969 after Vietnam and he was never drafted. And he went in the military to keep the spread of communism going throughout the world. And right now if you are the age where you can still serve in the military why you are not going back if you are a veteran to and this would mean a veteran if you are willing to serve anytime as needed it’s so happens some cannot go back because of that disability won’t because they got discharged within 180 days because of disability and if you had broken your leg in the military within 180 day you would’ve been discharge automatically no end bus about itThat’s the reason why they asked you before you go and did you have any broken bones or any psych problems and they would not let you in the military doing your physical. Because one day if we have to fight China they will need every veteran out there to go back in the military and Russia.
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Pvt Antonier Bolton
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At that time we had to draft and you get drafted and serve your town on a bro you are a veteran and if you get hurt within 180 days if you get this charge for medical reasons you are a veteran because you serve your country willfully. A veteran is one who go in and volunteer to fight for the country and to defend it because the same time you defend you defend the Constitution of the United States that up for father had written. A long time ago we told the military that they are volunteer would not workBecause it takes more to fight a war then book knowledge one have to have common sense to go along with it A true military veteran do not take sides when it comes to politics. Never look down on a person military service put yourself in their shoes if you were to get hurt how you feel if someone same thing about you And a lot of guys who went to Vietnam at the time was drafted And some guy hurt people within the 180 days. Compared to the date Boot Camp is nothing. The Boot Camp I went through you get beat up and everything in other words they kind prepare you in case you get to be prisoner of war. Never look down on a persons service to the country I’m sure in your records in the military you can have someone said same thing about you you’re not a veteran and And a true veteran never look down on another veteran And we all win in the military to fight for the same thing freedom.
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MSgt Allen Chandler
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First let me say that in most cases it doesn’t matter. If a person is trying to take credit for being a veteran Con somebody And get something out of it that’s one thing but if it’s a ceremony for the deceased hey give us a break. Legally a veteran is anyone that has a DD 214. From my point of you you become a vendor in the day you graduate from basic training.
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PO1 Woody W.
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Sheila,
In order for any American (or authorized immigrant> to achieve "Military/Armed Services Veterans Status," they must have successfully and honorably served in a branch of the Armed Services for a MINIMUM of 180 Days.... UNLESS revoked by "due process" <read legal and/or administrative actions>. In most cases, 180 days is the standard amount of time for an individual to obtain initial and specialized training to achieve combat readiness.

I've always had issues when someone within a group believes and manipulates the rules to qualify whoever they want within their "group." It's very liberal way of thinking, especially in a country that believes and practices the "Rule of Law/Rules/Regulations," IMNSHO.
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SSG Senior Mechanic
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Publishers clearing house sent me a letter saying I may have already won
Guess what, still not a millionaire
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PO1 Woody W.
PO1 Woody W.
4 y
LOL!
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SSG Senior Mechanic
SSG (Join to see)
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So many people missed there chance and now want to be part of something bigger than themselves. I was fortunate and served. Most people except family and friends have no idea I did. Kind of feel sorry for those that missed out. Wouldn't change a thing.
Except stupid PCH
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PO1 David Shepardson
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No, I think 180 days is the qualifier.
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