I have just completed a great read called Stolen Valor by BG Burkett and co-author Glenn Whitley. Every Vietnam veteran that I knew, myself included, and everyone they knew, all came back from Vietnam and got on with their normal lives. Yet every time there was and still is a memorial service, a dedication, or even Veteran’s or Memorial Day celebrations, we all saw/see on TV the same group of scruffy looking alcoholic drug crazed Vietnam vets. Mismatched uniform remnants, a hodgepodge of ribbons and medals, complaining about their problems with Agent Orange and/or PTSD, and their inability to get on with their lives. Besmirching the efforts of the rest of us, they were the darlings of both the media and Hollywood. Even though we knew it was wrong, instead of feeling empathy for them, they pissed us off, dragging us down into that alcoholic drug induced mud puddle where they wallowed.
We learn that there are more people who claim to be veterans of Vietnam than the total number of all who actually served in all the armed forces during the entire Vietnam era. We learn that if someone tells you that they are a MOH winner, the odds are two-to-one that they are a fake. The same percentages apply to POWs. As an aside, it actually only took 20 minutes a couple of years ago for me to expose a “Vietnam POW” who, in reality, never left the states and received an OTH discharge after less than a year of service. He ran a popcorn stand at one of the NHL arenas and actually delivered “good luck” popcorn nightly to the locker room and gave motivational speeches to the players based on his POW experiences. Sick. Similar statements can be made about those who claim to be SEALs or Special Ops. Fake veterans are causing the VA millions of dollars a year in unsubstantiated expenses my above personal example included. This guy actually represented the VA in the Special Olympics. The problem is epidemic.
What this book does is expose this rag tag group of individuals for what they are, fakes. Many, if not most, were never in Vietnam. Some were even conscientious objectors or draft dodgers. They have stolen the place in history that the true Vietnam veteran deserves.
The final chapter in this saga continues to be written. Prior to last year, nothing could be done legally to these individuals unless they were wearing the MOH or a full uniform. The groundswell of this book has caused passage of the ‘Stolen Valor Act’, Public Law No. 109-437. It is now a violation of federal law, a $5000 fine and up to 6 months in prison, to claim to be something in the military that you are not. It not only includes written or physical violations, but also verbal barroom boasts and internet bravado. It not only includes all medals and ribbons, but also badges, which includes rank insignia and designation devices such as paratrooper wings, diver insignia, SEAL and SWO devices, and pilot wings. Therefore, someone who, even in a bar or on the internet, implies to be something that they are not, such as a Navy NFO implying he is a pilot or a civilian with a “Commander” user name, is in violation of federal law and subject to both a fine and imprisonment. They, like so many who lobbied for this law have proclaimed, are nothing but thieves who have stolen something that is not theirs. We who are in the military are well aware of these problems. Now that you parents are becoming a part of this great organization, you must also do your part. Please respect those who have served honorably and continue to serve by not condoning fakes such as these who come in all shapes and forms and are only out for personal gain..