Posted on Jan 27, 2016
To those that don't care about Stolen Valor, what makes you not care?
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Some people just shake their head when they see the news headlines, scroll past it, or lose their mind and share with the world. I would like to think deep down we all really do care about exposing phonies especially when they are wrongfully receiving benefits that the deserving need. There is a chain reaction that could be talked about forever on how the phonies hinder the process for veterans.
Stolen Valor
Benefits
Honor
Integrity
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 1310
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I'm becoming more and more uncomfortable with this culture of SMs or Vets walking up to people and demanding proof of service. Lately there were two threads about 75 year old vets getting publicly humiliated by other vets. In one case the vet ( or maybe it was a soldier) wouldn't even believe the vets VA card, claiming anyone could print one out.
So that got me thinking how I would respond if someone saw me wearing either military related awards or badges on Veterans Day or say military badge related hats or Tshirts, and came up and started asking me questions. The truth is, in this day of identity theft and scams, I would probably politely tell that guy to f--k off. I sure as hell would never feel like I owe it to any stranger that walks up to me to produce my military ID card and DD214. Really, who the f--k do these people think they are?
This is the United States. I don't have to respond to "your papers please" from anybody, much less some soldier with a hair up his ass.
And as pissed as that would make me, I can't imagine how my dad would have responded when he was 75 if some twenty something "kid" walked up to him and basically demanded that he, a WWII and Korean War vet, prove to this stranger he is authorized to wear his CIB with star. Even at age 75, he would probably try and fight the guy.
So this whole blood sport of confronting and videoing and humiliating people just because they may be wearing a badge wrong has got to stop. It's unprofessional and unAmerican. As I said, I don't have to tell you where I went to basic, what Ranger School Class I was in, or anything else. It's none of your f--king business. You're a damn total stranger to me. Hell, I have no way of knowing if you are even a soldier yourself. So get out of my face and keep your vigilante bullshit away from me or my dad, or others like us. I'd rather a thousand clowns walk down the street in costume than one vet be humiliated by someone who probably hasn't served a fraction of the time the vet did.
There are laws about actually stealing goods or services by impersonating vets. Leave that to the stores. If they give military discounts to people without requiring appropriate ID cards or documentation, that's their mistake. IMO vets should stay in their lane and stop confronting people.
So that got me thinking how I would respond if someone saw me wearing either military related awards or badges on Veterans Day or say military badge related hats or Tshirts, and came up and started asking me questions. The truth is, in this day of identity theft and scams, I would probably politely tell that guy to f--k off. I sure as hell would never feel like I owe it to any stranger that walks up to me to produce my military ID card and DD214. Really, who the f--k do these people think they are?
This is the United States. I don't have to respond to "your papers please" from anybody, much less some soldier with a hair up his ass.
And as pissed as that would make me, I can't imagine how my dad would have responded when he was 75 if some twenty something "kid" walked up to him and basically demanded that he, a WWII and Korean War vet, prove to this stranger he is authorized to wear his CIB with star. Even at age 75, he would probably try and fight the guy.
So this whole blood sport of confronting and videoing and humiliating people just because they may be wearing a badge wrong has got to stop. It's unprofessional and unAmerican. As I said, I don't have to tell you where I went to basic, what Ranger School Class I was in, or anything else. It's none of your f--king business. You're a damn total stranger to me. Hell, I have no way of knowing if you are even a soldier yourself. So get out of my face and keep your vigilante bullshit away from me or my dad, or others like us. I'd rather a thousand clowns walk down the street in costume than one vet be humiliated by someone who probably hasn't served a fraction of the time the vet did.
There are laws about actually stealing goods or services by impersonating vets. Leave that to the stores. If they give military discounts to people without requiring appropriate ID cards or documentation, that's their mistake. IMO vets should stay in their lane and stop confronting people.
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Sgt Melinda Pamphrey
SGT Beth Day - I agree with you. When my husband and I are out and someone sees the disabled vet plate on my car they thank him for his service. He quickly tells them I'm the veteran. My husband never served. He reported for the draft but they didn't take him. I am also annoyed that my V.A. is still pretty much a "good old boys network", this after me going there for over 30 years.
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SGT Daniel Myers
I would tell them to f-off, and not so politely! I've got PTSD and have had 3 traumatic brain injuries since. If that's a bear you really want to poke, good luck with that...
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1SG(P) Dean Mcbride (MPER) (SPHR)
Sgt Melinda Pamphrey - Reminds me of a situation I saw and heard while working for a major oil company. During a holiday gathering one of the executive wives was gloating over her husbands position. She would ask other ladies "What does "your" husband do?" She asked one to many ladies... The last one answered her question with: "He lays around on the couch drinking beer and farting".... "By the way, I happen to be a Senior Executive and "your" husband works for me..."
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I care, but I care more about the Constitution than my own feelings. We can't say "we're a free country, but you can't say or wear those things because it offends me." I'm just not a fan making laws that ban citizens from wearing certain symbols when there are groups of people offended by those symbols. It sounds contrary to everything we serve for.
Now if people want to expose phonies, I'm all for it. Let them be judged by the public.
When it comes to fraud, there are plenty of existing fraud laws to cover those cases. Those who commit fraud should be prosecuted under fraud laws.
Now if people want to expose phonies, I'm all for it. Let them be judged by the public.
When it comes to fraud, there are plenty of existing fraud laws to cover those cases. Those who commit fraud should be prosecuted under fraud laws.
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LTC Jorge Cordero
LCDR Robert S. - Sad but true, Everyone likes to invoke the term "The Founding Fathers" I do not believe they intended for "hate" speech to be covered under the 1st, but then again it's a slippery sloop. Perhaps that is why we are where we are in history, nothing but hate speech (and even violence) everywhere in this country.
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SrA Michael Webster
LTC Jorge Cordero - "Hate Speech" is a garbage term as is "assault rifle". It's a term used when it's politically convenient. The drafters of the Constitution (you like that term better?) intended all speech to be free. Complaints about British rule in the 18th Century could have been labelled "Hate speech" and been punished by the Crown. Don't like that tax on tea? Hate speech. Don't like it when you're forced to house British troops? Hate speech. Calling British troops "redcoats" or "lobsterbacks"? Hate Speech.
One person's "Hate speech" is another's opinion. If you want to see how "Hate speech" can be regulated by the government, look at the UK where hundreds have been jailed for posting a meme on the internet.
Where we are in history has nothing to do with "Hate speech", but rather an intolerance to have your ideas challenged.
But, if you really want the government to have oversight over what you can or cannot say - and, by extension what you must say - there are many regimes around the world that would be glad to provide that for you.
One person's "Hate speech" is another's opinion. If you want to see how "Hate speech" can be regulated by the government, look at the UK where hundreds have been jailed for posting a meme on the internet.
Where we are in history has nothing to do with "Hate speech", but rather an intolerance to have your ideas challenged.
But, if you really want the government to have oversight over what you can or cannot say - and, by extension what you must say - there are many regimes around the world that would be glad to provide that for you.
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LTC Jorge Cordero
SrA Michael Webster - You mean like what you can and cannot read, or teach, or even talk about. Cant say "gay"! Or what woman can and cannot do with the privacy of her doctors office? or who you can marry? It seems to be totally OK for government to imposed itself in those areas.
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I was going to pass this up and not respond...but I changed my mind.. What other people wear either earned or not takes nothing from what I did and earned. I don't need nor seek approval or recognition from others in regards to my service. I don't need to justify or explain what I have or have not done. I only have an issue with someone getting a concrete benefit from their fraud, i.e... Va medical, va loan ect
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CPT Earl George
WE had an ind here in OHIO run for the US Senate who lied about his military service. The truth came out and he did not go far.
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SMSgt Christopher Schroeder
I agree, those who get some benefit, parking space, VA, politics should be called out.
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