Stolen Valor Act (anti Wannabees)

[Berta]

From Colonel Dan Cedusky email:

WASHINGTON - A bill mandating tougher punishment for military imposters

gained final approval from the House on Wednesday, and will now go to the

president to be signed into law.

The legislation, dubbed the "stolen valor act," calls for up to six months

in prison for anyone who falsely claims to have earned a military honor, and

up to a year in prison for fraudulently wearing a Purple Heart, Silver Star

or other high military honor.

Both crimes would also be classified as felonies, which can carry additional

penalties such as limits on gun ownership and disqualification from certain

public offices, depending on the state.

Under current law, anyone caught wearing a military medal they did not earn

faces a misdemeanor charge and up to six months in prison, but law

enforcement can't do anything to someone simply displaying or claiming to

have earned the honor.

House officials on Wednesday said the change closes that critical loophole

and helps protect the integrity of the military awards.

"These frauds have diminished the honor of our military heroes," said Rep.

John Salazar, D-Colo., who introduced the original version of the measure.

"They use it to gain credibility for themselves, and often go on to commit

even worse crimes."

Along with cases of individuals using the fake medals to gain speaking

engagements and community leadership roles, Salazar referenced crimes

committed in 2004 by retired Marine Sgt. Gary Lakis, who claimed fake combat

experience and nonexistent Silver Stars in order to gain $66 million in

defense contracts to provide training to the service.

The military revoked those contracts once Lakis was found to be lying about

much of his military career, but he fled the country before FBI

investigators could arrest him and charge him with fraud.

Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., said awards such as the Purple Heart "hold a

deeper meaning and value for servicemen that far outweighs their monetary

worth," and called the bill a chance to honor the sacrifice of all troops by

preserving the military's legacy.

The tougher penalties are backed by a number of veterans groups, including

the Vietnam Veterans of America and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

As of late last week, supporters thought the bill likely wouldn't pass this

session because of House Republican leadership's resistance to moving a

measure proposed by Salazar, a first-term Democrat.

The measure approved yesterday was a nearly identical bill sponsored by Sen.

Kent Conrad, D-N.D., which was approved by the full Senate in September.

The White House has not released any timetable for when the bill could be

signed into law.

C 2006 Stars and Stripes. All Rights Reserved.

Stolen Valor Act of 2005 (Engrossed as Agreed to or Passed

by Senate)

S 1998 ES

109th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 1998

[Cavman]

Its about time. I applaud the bill. I would like to see the names of the politicians who vote against it passing. I would also like it to be a crime for those who lie about combat service and medals awarded to them while in a public place talking to tohers.

Cavman

[Josephine]

Cavman,

I agree with you 100%!

Always,

Josephine

[john999]

I wonder if the Commander of the American Legion would agree? He claims to be a Vietnam vet and never set foot in Vietnam. I am surprised he did not say he was in special forces and won the silver star.

[LarryJ]

If we had had as many members of the Special Forces, Force Recon, MAC-SOG, etc., as there are guys that are now claiming to have been such, well.................we'd not have had enough room to have housed them all.

I actually feel sorry for them, the wannabes. Most of them are living lives that are not theirs, wishing they had been something that they are not, and now they are reaching the ends of their lives........still wishing and never knowing.................

It's sad and I don't think that passing a law will solve their problems or cause them to simply "go away".

I used to just buy 'em a beer and let 'em talk, seemed like the best thing to do, after I got tired of leading with my nose when the fight started..........Now I just drink alone, cheaper and the dude I drink with is a swell guy, not much of a hero, but a swell guy.

Happy Friday, y'all.

[Josh]

I wonder if the Commander of the American Legion would agree? He claims to be a Vietnam vet and never set foot in Vietnam. I am surprised he did not say he was in special forces and won the silver star.

Dear John,

I too am a vietnam era vet and although I never had to step foot out of the US, why is it that I should feel bad that I was not chosen to go over when I had volunteered for duty?

Josh

[Cavman]

I wonder if the Commander of the American Legion would agree? He claims to be a Vietnam vet and never set foot in Vietnam. I am surprised he did not say he was in special forces and won the silver star.

I`ve seen a lot of that in my post. Its really hard to find a combat vet there. Mostly non combat drunks there for the prices. All the vets organizations let anyone off the streets join now. There basically bars anymore.

Cavman