Posted on Feb 3, 2021
How do you deal with someone trying to call you "Stolen Valor"?
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So for all the vets here, how do y'all deal with someone trying to call you "Stolen Valor" in a polite way? Even if they are being aggressive about it? I've been out on a MEB for almost a year now and there's a store in my state with "Superhero Parking" for Vets, Active Duty, Law enforcement and firefighters, while I haven't parked there yet, I'm sure once I do someone will attempt to say something about it. I have my VA Card and my driver's license says Veteran on it and I have an entire album in my phone with pictures of my army times. Now what if this isn't enough to get them to back off? How can I politely tell them they're wrong and to drop the situation?
Stolen Valor
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Tank Crewman
Honorable Discharge
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 236
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LOL... been there. Between being a former Marine and seven deployments, my ribbon rack is a little above average. So any time I'm in a dress uniform, I have to emotionally prepare myself for the inevitable round of questioning.
"What's that one?!" "How'd you get that one?!"
"What's that one?!" "How'd you get that one?!"
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SFC Michael Hasbun
LTC (Join to see) - No sir. I received the GWOT-EM for OIF 1, prior to the creation of the Iraq Campaign Medal.
The GWOT-EM use bronze SERVICE stars to denote additional awards. It does not utilize the "campaign star" system employed by the Iraq Campaign Medal.
BLUF:
The GOT-EM uses stars to indicate additional awards.
The Iraq/Afghan campaign medals use stars to indicate campaign participation.
https://www.hrc.army.mil/TAGD/Global%20War%20on%20Terrorism%20Expeditionary%20Medal%20GWOTEM%20and%20Global%20War%20on%20Terrorism%20Service%20Medal%20GWOTSM
The GWOT-EM use bronze SERVICE stars to denote additional awards. It does not utilize the "campaign star" system employed by the Iraq Campaign Medal.
BLUF:
The GOT-EM uses stars to indicate additional awards.
The Iraq/Afghan campaign medals use stars to indicate campaign participation.
https://www.hrc.army.mil/TAGD/Global%20War%20on%20Terrorism%20Expeditionary%20Medal%20GWOTEM%20and%20Global%20War%20on%20Terrorism%20Service%20Medal%20GWOTSM
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MAJ (Join to see)
Jesus, as long as we're pulling our wangs out for a competition, imagine the questions I get on this one. I've reached the top (Master).
Used to use the old "Space Shuttle Door Gunner" line to pull tail, but darn it, everyone knows the scrapped the program. :D
Used to use the old "Space Shuttle Door Gunner" line to pull tail, but darn it, everyone knows the scrapped the program. :D
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I have nothing military related on any of my vehicles, and frequently used these spaces in my city. I've never been approached by anyone to say anything other than "Thank you for your service". Simply put. WALK AWAY!
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I have never had to worry about it - and my DV plates prevent a lot of issues. I DID have one clerk give me flack about parking in a handicapped space. (On MOST days, I walk pretty normal, despite the pain and she couldn't see the back of my car and KY only has rear plates.) I simply ignored the first comment, and the second one I invited her to check out my license plate. She shut up.
That is how I generally handle that type of thing. Ignore the first comment. Maybe even the second, depending on the situation. If they insist on being persistent, calmly but firmly provide your proof (in your case Driver's License), and move on through your day.
That is how I generally handle that type of thing. Ignore the first comment. Maybe even the second, depending on the situation. If they insist on being persistent, calmly but firmly provide your proof (in your case Driver's License), and move on through your day.
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LtCol Bruce Janis
Some states a DV plate is not the same as a Handicapped plate. Utah comes to mind.
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SFC Casey O'Mally
LtCol Bruce Janis - KY Plates a DV Plate has the little wheelchair on it, so there is no question.
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SGT Kasey Zagorski
My husband and I our both veterans but honestly I don't like going to the VA or VFW because I don't want to spend the next hour fielding questions to "expose" me as an imposter. I have nothing to prove neither does anyone else.
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Only happened once. In Walmart I was wearing my DS ball cap, big guy asked what I did to deserve to wear that hat. Told him I was assigned to the 37th TFW(P) from Tonopah F-117. He said “oh” and walked away.
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Happy to report never experiencing a situation that required a verbal *What?* or *stunner.* And —> very appreciative of the *dedicated* space and *discount* @ Home Depot, Lowe’s (as well as other places).
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I don't see a problem, really. If you're in the category to park there, no one has a right to challenge you for it; but if they do, I'd just ignore them. Depending on their approach however, I MIGHT be inclined to show them your driver's license with the Veteran indicator. I have disabled Veteran license plates, so that wouldn't be a problem for me I suppose. The only time I park in one of two Veteran spots is if the handicapped spaces are taken.
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Always remember to be humble. If that doesn't work...ignore them. Weak minds have short spans of attention. Unless things get physical on their part...smile and go about your business. If they won't let you, defeat them with overwhelming speed and violence of action. Carry on.
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You are literally borrowing problems that don't exist. Don't live like this, man.
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Is that before or after I laugh at them and walk away? Guess that's my answer.
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SPC James Ghrist
This makes my blood boil! Dateline had a segment about a man receiving treatments at the V.A. for years claiming he had been a highly decorated S.E.A.L., or Green Beret with multiple combat tours in Viet Nam & Laos, suffering multiple wounds. He met a real combat veteran, and his wife in a Tennessee V.A. program. He and the real vets wife began an affair. They then murdered her husband, giving her lifetime surviving spouses benefits. They then married, and because he had conned his way to national commanders rank in his home state of Florida's veterans organization. He gained national influence in the Pentagon circles, to the point he got his new wife V.A. disability benefits claiming she had PTSD from the 9-11 attack on the Pentagon. She had never served in the military.
When her son found computer evidence that his mother, and her lover had murdered his father he turned them into the FBI, CID, and V.A. Police. They prosecuted, and convicted them for murder.
It was only then that it was discovered that neither of them had ever served a second in the military. The final tally of their stolen Valor was almost $1million. All lost because they had spent it living a luxurious lifestyle.
This was taxpayers money that so many disabled veterans, myself included desperately need.
Stolen Valor is not a minor thing!
James G. 95B, Military Police, 1973 to 1981. Totally and Permanently disabled after 7 years service from a crushed lumbar spine on 6 levels.
When her son found computer evidence that his mother, and her lover had murdered his father he turned them into the FBI, CID, and V.A. Police. They prosecuted, and convicted them for murder.
It was only then that it was discovered that neither of them had ever served a second in the military. The final tally of their stolen Valor was almost $1million. All lost because they had spent it living a luxurious lifestyle.
This was taxpayers money that so many disabled veterans, myself included desperately need.
Stolen Valor is not a minor thing!
James G. 95B, Military Police, 1973 to 1981. Totally and Permanently disabled after 7 years service from a crushed lumbar spine on 6 levels.
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