U.S. Campaign Tartans

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I, too, think it is a wonderful idea. Anything that honours the sacrifices of the military goes to the top of the page in my book.

But the world is full of people who would steal that honour because they have none of their own.

Case in point:

Last year I attended four Highland games in the USA: Glasgow, Kentucky; Greenville, SC; Richmond, Va; The Virgina Highland Games, also in Virgina.

At each of these games I saw a man wearing either medals or ribbons to which he obviously wasn't entitled. That's four games and four different men posing as decorated veterans. For all I know there could have been a lot more of them, although I hope not. Now there were other men there with ribbons or medals, and every time I saw one of them I asked myself, "Is that guy another fraud?" Which is wrong. I shouldn't let the "Scottish Games Commandos" make me suspicious of those men and women who did serve, but that's what happens.

The phonies bring into question everyone who has nobly served their country. Their reprehensible actions and blatant theft of a serviceman's hard earned honour is despicable. If campaign medal tartans could somehow be restricted to those who had earned the right to wear it, I'd be the first to shout "go for it." But that isn't possible.

If you doubt me, go ask the 30-year old guy at the Richmond games who was wearing a combat infantry badge above his Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and Navy Efficiency Ribbon. He's easy to spot. He's wearing a Zulu wars pith helmet and a Leatherneck tartan kilt.