Stolen Valor Act

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I don't even wear my OWN medals, not that any of them are overly important. When exactly is one supposed to parade around and show off medals?

In the civilian world medals are only worn to those social and official events where the invitation specifically states, "orders, decorations, medals" immediately after the requested form of attire:

Black Tie, Highland Attire Preferred, Orders, Decorations, Medals

With Black Tie and White Tie (both only worn after 6PM) miniature medals are worn; if the event is held during the day (generally before 4PM) then full-size medals are worn.

Service ribbons are not worn with civilian attire although clubs, such as the Scottish American Military Society, may prescribe them for wear on their distinctive uniforms when members are taking part in club activities.

[Woot22]

In the civilian world medals are only worn to those social and official events where the invitation specifically states, "orders, decorations, medals" immediately after the requested form of attire:

Black Tie, Highland Attire Preferred, Orders, Decorations, Medals

With Black Tie and White Tie (both only worn after 6PM) miniature medals are worn; if the event is held during the day (generally before 4PM) then full-size medals are worn.

Service ribbons are not worn with civilian attire although clubs, such as the Scottish American Military Society, may prescribe them for wear on their distinctive uniforms when members are taking part in club activities.

Just wanted to add that the VA actually is trying to encourage more veterans to wear their medals on Veterans Day, Memorial Day and the 4th of July. The initiative specifically asks veterans to wear their medals regardless of what they are doing on those days. Here is a pic of the front page of the brochure.

[Pleater]

Just my opinion, but I think that anyone making a false claim to military medals is a seriously flawed character.

My sister's father in law died when his children were quite young, and left a few photographs and his medals from the war.

A few years later a man who was a slight acquaintance called at the door and asked if he could borrow the medals as he could not find his own, he said, and he wanted to march in the parade on Remembrance Sunday, but he needed to have medals to wear.

The box of medals was found and handed over, and he never brought it back.

Now that is low.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Teufel Hunden]

While I think it's detestable that someone would make up stories of war and valor, I do agree that the lie itself shouldn't necessarily be illegal.

Just my opinion, but I'd venture a guess that the greater majority of military liars are just in bars getting free drinks and other such petty offenses. Those people are losers to be sure, but, essentially they're doing no more wrong than the guy right next to them telling everyone he's a rich, savvy investor, when he lives in the trailer park next door.

When a person is using the lies for personal gain, like veterans benefits, well we already have laws against fraud and things of that nature, so a law specifically protecting "valor" from bar-room liars isn't necessary, IMO. Besides, it's plenty of fun outing them publicly and humiliating them in that way.

Just wanted to add that the VA actually is trying to encourage more veterans to wear their medals on Veterans Day, Memorial Day and the 4th of July. The initiative specifically asks veterans to wear their medals regardless of what they are doing on those days. Here is a pic of the front page of the brochure.

I've seen that. For whatever reason I just can't bring myself to wear medals unless I'm also wearing the accompanying uniform. My dad (Vietnam vet) is the same way.

[adsmguy]

A conviction in Alabama:

http://bit.ly/bh2Zga

"Authorities had accused Smith of pinning onto his uniform two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, a Combat Infantry Badge, a Senior Parachutist Badge and an Air Assault Badge."

[Whidbey78]

Sad that there are enough people telling lies that a law would have to be written in the first place. It's been my experience that the people who tell a lot of stories(with the exception of the funny stories) are usually full of it. They're easy to spot anyhow...they were usually a SEAL, Ranger, etc. and saved some General in a hail of gunfire and got three purple hearts that day along with a silver star and a nomination for the MOH. Ever notice how the loud guy at the end of the bar was never a cook? I seem to remember cooks on the boat, stateside, in Iraq, in Afganistan,...I guess Mess Specialists don't drink.

Most of us who went to bad places and did and/or saw very disturbing things would rather not talk about it. I find it puzzling that someone would lie about military service, claim they did all this when there are plenty who were there and would like to forget, but can't, and have to learn to live with it.

I guess my point is that instead of enacting legislation against it, maybe people should have the character to not tell lies. That would be in an ideal world though, and I doubt we will ever see that.

[SteveB]

Fortunately most of the Barroom Heroes can not get their own facts straight, and usually do not know enough to have been there. Let them lie as much as they want. I just sit to one side and remember that I was then and still am willing to put my life on the line for the freedoms (including that Barroom Hero) hold precious and dear.

I have visited countries were such government regulation was rather severe. I choose to not endorse it here.

Off Soapbox.

[macwilkin]

Sad that there are enough people telling lies that a law would have to be written in the first place. It's been my experience that the people who tell a lot of stories(with the exception of the funny stories) are usually full of it. They're easy to spot anyhow...they were usually a SEAL, Ranger, etc. and saved some General in a hail of gunfire and got three purple hearts that day along with a silver star and a nomination for the MOH. Ever notice how the loud guy at the end of the bar was never a cook? I seem to remember cooks on the boat, stateside, in Iraq, in Afganistan,...I guess Mess Specialists don't drink.

Reminds me of a story I read about a club in Jo'burg, RSA that was frequented by Rhodies after 1980 -- The MC began the evening by asking how many Rhodesians were the audience, which was met with thunderous applause -- he then said, "How many of you were NOT Selous Scouts?"

Of course he didn't ask how many had served with the RLI, SAS, etc.

T.

[Teufel Hunden]

They're easy to spot anyhow...they were usually a SEAL, Ranger, etc. and saved some General in a hail of gunfire and got three purple hearts that day along with a silver star and a nomination for the MOH. Ever notice how the loud guy at the end of the bar was never a cook? I seem to remember cooks on the boat, stateside, in Iraq, in Afganistan,...I guess Mess Specialists don't drink.

Isn't that the truth!

A couple months after Baghdad fell in 2003, I was still in Iraq, while my state-side brother met a guy in a bar that claimed to be a Marine sniper, who had already done TWO tours in Iraq. Funny, because I was still on my first tour, and we had only been in Iraq at all for a few months at that point.

Most of us who went to bad places and did and/or saw very disturbing things would rather not talk about it. I find it puzzling that someone would lie about military service, claim they did all this when there are plenty who were there and would like to forget, but can't, and have to learn to live with it.

This actually really bothers me with how gruesome some of the liars can get in their made up tales of war. There are some things I'll never tell another soul about... not even my wife. There are some subjects we've established should never be brought up, unless I do it first. My friends are all the same way. We don't want to talk about that stuff... especially not with some stranger in a bar somewhere. Combat sucks. There are many more pleasant things to talk about. But some of the made up stories I've heard are down right disgusting. Blood and guts everywhere, hand to hand stuff resulting in severed limbs (via Ka-Bar on one occasion)... the list goes on. For some reason, those types of stories offend me more than just simple lies regarding the earning of medals.

[davedove]

This actually really bothers me with how gruesome some of the liars can get in their made up tales of war. There are some things I'll never tell another soul about... not even my wife. There are some subjects we've established should never be brought up, unless I do it first. My friends are all the same way. We don't want to talk about that stuff... especially not with some stranger in a bar somewhere. Combat sucks. There are many more pleasant things to talk about. But some of the made up stories I've heard are down right disgusting. Blood and guts everywhere, hand to hand stuff resulting in severed limbs (via Ka-Bar on one occasion)... the list goes on. For some reason, those types of stories offend me more than just simple lies regarding the earning of medals.

It's sad too, because these are the very guys who, if they ever were in combat, would probably be curled up in the corner crying for their mamas. On the other hand, the quiet guys who are very laid back and even a bit shy, wind up being the ones who single handedly charge an enemy position.

I was fortunate enough to never have to face combat, so in all honesty, I don't really know how I would react. But my life is not so pathetic that I have to make things up. Those who really in combat had to see and do things that no one should ever be asked to do, so it's really disrepectful to them to make things up.