When stolen valor shaming goes horribly wrong. Your Thoughts?

Deep. Breath. Everyone. There are a lot of missing FACTS about this alleged incident. 44 seconds of video on a news outlet's homepage or Facebook page with no other information, statements or (fair) context is irresponsible journalism. Stolen valor is atrocious behavior...as are SOME of the actors who seems to hunt for confrontations for public shaming exercises. Neither side is a "winner" in my humble opinion. If you review the hundreds of Stolen Valor videos that seem to permeate the Internet now - there is a clearly evidence of people with some sort of mental illness issue/s that causes them to act out inappropriately. We can't protect people from themselves and it speaks volumes about our level of intolerance for a very small minority of people who seemingly are not capable of making rational decisions about who or what they (mis)represent sometimes. Using Stolen Valor to game the VA Healthcare System or other veteran benefits and services? -- you don't get a pass and you deserve to receive the consequences of your fraudulent actions. Wearing mis-matched BDUs and unauthorized devices to try to get a free cup of coffee? BFD - period. What if the conversation started with a rational (kinder) discussion about what is driving this person to (obviously) misrepresent the armed forces and what the uniform/award/device really represents? Our better angels should be advising us to counsel and assist; rather than confront and castigate a troubled civilian (or legitimate veteran) - in some cases). Distinguishing between outright displays of patriotism (in some cases) and otherwise socially unacceptable behavior (in public) is a case of dealing with perceptions and other social norms. The confrontational public shaming approach to Stolen Valor is going to back-fire soon with sad and tragic consequences. A very responsible veteran and Team Red White and Blue member might be quietly looking into some of the factual background of this very emotionally charged news story at his local level (Charlotte NC). I look forward to the objective findings. Thank you Jack Hughes for your service and Semper Fidelis.

Wow just wow

This should never happen anywhere. I know there are many cases of stolen valor around the US, and it is sickening that someone can ride on a military record without the pain and sacrifice that comes from genuine service. That said, the hunt has to stop if it means those with genuine service records have to suffer at the hands of a group of idiots thinking they are doing the world a service.

Those active duty members went to far too this Vietnam veteran. I can't believe this was done to him. I'm so sorry sir.

Reprehensible. Unless they're lying about their combat experiences to make money or defraud the VA, I say leave the stolen valor folks be. They know what they have and haven't earned and they have to live with knowing they're frauds. The attitude of "They should have their ass kicked" when dealing with stolen valor makes us ALL look like uneducated, thug-mentality assholes. It makes me sick. Hopefully the Marines will come forward and own up to their mistake, accepting whatever consequences they're due. It's the only way to restore their honor.

I guess poeople now see stolen valor everywhere, and there is a good reason for that.

The only thing missing from this episode is someone screaming World Star in the background. . . I've said it before, Stolen Valor had turned into the World Star Hip Hop of the military...

I can't stand when people assume, that's the mother of all fuc*-ups. I know since I have been out for all these years, I no longer "look" like a soldier, because Im not anymore, I have cycled back to the civilian world and sometimes during discussions about my time, people want proof, so I carry my VA ID with me all the time, so hopefully some jerk and his gang of wanna be never been nowhere hard ass troops right out of boot camp don't jump me either. I hope they go to jail.

This past Veterans Day the American encouraged Veterans to wear their ribbons on our clothes to show we served. Could have been many more stories like this one I guess.

I hope this Vietnam hero doesn't think all of our younger military are like this. You couldn't always get racks for your ribbons, patches were hand sewn on, etc. Plus these heroes haven't had to be inspected since before some of these kids parents were children, NOR should they have to even worry about it, hell they didn't get any recognition for years only criticism and taunts for fighting for our country. God Bless him!!