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

[john999]

Stretch

I don't know how some guys get service connected for PTSD or any other condition by just claiming it. I have had to fight for every thing I have gotten. The VA in my region gives nothing away. The conditions I did get SC'ed for I got low balled. You note the media always points out the few vets who get benefits they don't deserve and never mention the thousands who are cheated out of benefits they deserve.

[Dale Jr. 8]

John999,

You are right about the fighting. I have had to fight to get what I have and recently have had to fight to keep what I have. I also got a low % the first time around. Do you live in N.C. by chance. VA Winston-Salem is especially tough and claims seem to take a little longer that other RO's Don't know why this is the case. Keep trudging along. Dale Jr. 8

[dman001948]

I agree with what a lot of you say about wannbes, howver, I have always wondered just how one checks a person out? If that person does not sign a 180 releasing his/her records, how can one do this? Wouldn't that be against the law to find out any other way? Something about the privacy act 0f 1974.

Me, I have no problems with me, I am a Vietnam Vet ( in country 20 months) Gulf War era vet ( place of active duty for 8 months but didn't go over ) and a ex-Airborne Ranger. As a matter of fact if you go to 75thRRA site and click on Units and go to A Company 75th Rangers they still have me as the Unit Director for my old company. And one MUST Prove being in the Rangers before being excepted into the Org.

A yet we have a few that get by with forge documents etc, but, sooner or later they are caught and throwed out.

But, it still begs the question, how does one "check one out" without a sign 180? Even John Kerry sign a partial 180, not releasing ALL of his records, he picked and choose which ones to release, he still has hidden or not release his less then honorable discharge/release from the Navy back in the 70"s. ( there is a sign statement from the officer at the time working in personnel that seen the orginal and it was less then honorable) but it was upgraded with the help of Senator Kennedy who wrote a bill to include Kerry's actions with the N.V. that in turn gave Kerry a upgrade discharge and his medals back.

But if someone would get access to MY records without MY premission and spead them all over the news or anywhere else...There would be hell to pay, regardless of them being wrong or right, without MY premission, it is against the law...

So just how does one catch a wannbe? By his/her actions? maybe though time, they have their stories a little mixed up, or can't remember, I know I sure can't. Doesn't make me a fake. I know the Medal of Honor is on a register, but, are all other medals?

Just how does one catch a wannbe legally?

Dennis Rick

A Company 75th Rangers :D

[dman001948]

I agree with what a lot of you say about wannbes, howver, I have always wondered just how one checks a person out? If that person does not sign a 180 releasing his/her records, how can one do this? Wouldn't that be against the law to find out any other way? Something about the privacy act 0f 1974.

Me, I have no problems with me, I am a Vietnam Vet ( in country 20 months) Gulf War era vet ( place of active duty for 8 months but didn't go over ) and a ex-Airborne Ranger. As a matter of fact if you go to 75thRRA site and click on Units and go to A Company 75th Rangers they still have me as the Unit Director for my old company. And one MUST Prove being in the Rangers before being excepted into the Org.

A yet we have a few that get by with forge documents etc, but, sooner or later they are caught and throwed out.

But, it still begs the question, how does one "check one out" without a sign 180? Even John Kerry sign a partial 180, not releasing ALL of his records, he picked and choose which ones to release, he still has hidden or not release his less then honorable discharge/release from the Navy back in the 70"s. ( there is a sign statement from the officer at the time working in personnel that seen the orginal and it was less then honorable) but it was upgraded with the help of Senator Kennedy who wrote a bill to include Kerry's actions with the N.V. that in turn gave Kerry a upgrade discharge and his medals back.

But if someone would get access to MY records without MY premission and spead them all over the news or anywhere else...There would be hell to pay, regardless of them being wrong or right, without MY premission, it is against the law...

So just how does one catch a wannbe? By his/her actions? maybe though time, they have their stories a little mixed up, or can't remember, I know I sure can't. Doesn't make me a fake. I know the Medal of Honor is on a register, but, are all other medals?

Just how does one catch a wannbe legally?

Dennis Rick

A Company 75th Rangers :D

[Hoppy]

LarryJ

There is more than one side to most biographical histories. The story I heard was from a documentary. Unfortunately it was something I saw many years ago and I cannot reference it specifically.

The documentary stated that he claimed to be in an American combat unit when in fact the reason he went to a foreign medical unit is because it was the only type of unit that would accept him. He obviously had good intentions and wanted to be a combat participant. According to the story his exaggerated claims were reported by numerous sources early in his career as a writer.

[dougbo1943]

If you find one of the Wannabees, If he can arrange it I will let him take my place and tell his tall tales as long as he takes my problems also. God, would't it be great to let some wannabee take all of some vets problems.

Gunny