Stolen Valor Act

[Tobus]

Perhaps "public shunning" is more in order (and more effective).

This. We, as a society, need to stop crying for new laws to cure what are mere social problems. If we as a society don't like what people are doing, we should ostracize those who do it. It's a mistake (and a dangerous precedent) to mis-use government to enforce what is merely a social matter. As mentioned earlier in the thread, this opens the door to throwing people in jail for lying about anything and everything.

If a lie is used to commit fraud for monetary gain, that's already a crime. There's simply no need for another law.

[Woot22]

On a more hopeful note here is a link to the Pritzker Military Library's Medal of Honor podcast where they interview recipients of the prestigious award.

http://www.pritzkermilitarylibrary.org/podcasts/

[Frank McGrath]

I did not have the honor to serve my country in the military. But I was given a camo shirt by a friend and wore it one day. So many people would walk up to me and thank me for my service that I have not worn it again.. So, If you did not earn it, don't wear it.

[Lallans]

I did not have the honor to serve my country in the military. But I was given a camo shirt by a friend and wore it one day. So many people would walk up to me and thank me for my service that I have not worn it again.. So, If you did not earn it, don't wear it.

Unfortuately there are many many people that will take the honour without making the sacrifice or, especially, taking the risk.

[davidlpope]

So, If you did not earn it, don't wear it.

Frank, you've eloquently summed up my feelings on this issue.

I can never get my head around folks' explanation that they are wearing "x" to "honor" their family member, buddy, etc.

I guess I've always thought that if one really wanted to "honor" the sacrifice/service of some other person, the best way to do so was to make some sacrifices/ render service of one's own.

David

[ohiopiper]

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? That smacks of fakery right off the bat. The only exception is Veterans Day here in the U.S. and similar days in other countries.

BTW, I do keep a folded up Xerox of my DD-214 in my wallet.

[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.

[EagleJCS]

If/when I wear military-issue garb, or stuff that looks military-issue (e.g. surplus), it's usually from the generation before I was eligible to serve (i.e. OD greens, not woodland camo, and I don't even have and wouldn't think of getting any current issue or desert/digital camo). I also usually don't wear those things out in public and don't wear them in a military style (i.e. I'll leave shirts unbuttoned/untucked, and p*nt legs unbloused), I don't wear them in combination (I'll wear just a shirt, or just the pants, or just a jacket, but none of them together) and most of the time they're not ironed, so they're even less obviously military.

I do have an O.D. M-65 Army field jacket of my uncle's that I put my Dad's unit patches and name tape on (the right shoulder has the 83rd "OHIO" Infantry Division and the left has the 5th Army, which I don't think match up for that era - Dad was in the regular Army reserves for 8 years then transferred to the KANG). That's the closest I come to looking even close to military. When people do ask or make a comment I'll explain that "this was my uncle's/father's".

Most of the time, I'm wearing the mil surplus stuff when I go camping or working around the house or in the yard. It's more durable than most of my other clothes, and I'm not as concerned about getting stains and stuff on most of it, since it's already stained/torn from when they wore it to do yard work, etc.

[Lallans]

Yeah, I don't think anyone would object to military surplus. It's when you go out with a fake Congressional Medal of Honor around your neck that a problem exists. I remember an interview with an author who had unmasked quite a number of people that had been living off, or feeding off of, fake medals for years.

I think real heroes should be given the right to gang up and take care of these customers with bars-of-soap-filled pillowcases. You know, as in Full Metal Jacket, only for good reasons.