Stolen Valor

[eveled]

I make a point to thank all veterans I come across. Yesterday I met a WWII Merchant Marine. I thanked him for his service, and said it wasn't right that they put their selves in harm's way, and receive so little recognition.

His reply,. "We know what we did".

 

[moralem]

I make a point to thank all veterans I come across. Yesterday I met a WWII Merchant Marine. I thanked him for his service, and said it wasn't right that they put their selves in harm's way, and receive so little recognition.

His reply,. "We know what we did".

Some were just kids serving as a merchant marine.....a picture of dad in his merchant marine uniform. He was just 16 or 17 years old when he shipped out.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[vonn]

Been going to the VA getting checked out this last week,made me feel really strange seeing how far some of the vets go with their "veteran uniform". The doctor who was checking me out asked me if I wanted to apply for a PTSD disability and it freaked me out and I got out of there as quickly as I could politely. I am proud of my unit and my service but this is about the only place I display it because there are so many here who are vets. I suppressed letting people know I was a vet for years due to many people's perception of Vietnam vets as somehow being not quite right. Going to the VA took me back to Nam almost. Didn't expect it to affect me quite so much. I don't think about RVN everyday but it doesn't take much to bring it to mind. I just stay away from the fake vets and don't give them the time of day because they know who they are.

 

[GKC]

I do take the discount of $3 at the food store I use.

Today was the first time I've ever gotten anything more than a "Thank You For Your Service" greeting, which is fine on its own. I have a Navy Veteran ball cap, and I wear it often...today, I had to run into Dallas, and while I was there I went to a car wash (yeah, it was sprinkling rain, but my white car was so dirty it was brown.) When I was paying the cashier, she asked me if I was a veteran, and I said yes. She gave me a $5 discount on the $26 car wash! I thought that was very nice. She said they gave that discount to all active duty, veterans, and police officers.

I don't wear my hat to get anything...I also have a ball cap from my college days (ASU) and I wear it too (not at the same time, of course.) I'm proud of my time in both organizations. Even if it wasn't "fashionable" today, I'd still wear them proudly.

 

[growr]

As I read the Stolen Valor Act of 2013, it seems that you are in violation only if you are trying to falsely obtain benefits.

People that are posers but not trying to obtain benefits are fine?

Randy

 

[Drm50]

I don't wear vet hats, shirts, ect. The only thing I wear, for the
last 8 years is a American flag pin in the distress position. I too
feel like a very special person, in a very small elite outfit, one of
the few guys in RVN who was not a Green Beret, Seal, or some
other Special OPs commando. Most of the idiots spouting this
stuff weren't in the Military, or weren't in country. Ask them what
outfit they were in, were they were at, what year were they there. They usually shut up and change the subject. The biggest
seller at the pawn shops are CIBs & Expert Rifleman Badge. These won't get a vet a cup of coffee, but get the posers a few
free beers, from unknowing civilians.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I wear my old Infantry Division badge on my Life NRA cap. Don't ask me where my DD-214 is. Haven't seen it in years.

 

[Cyrano]

I still have my field jacket and my dress blues. I'll be wearing the latter when they plant me next to my wife in the Ft Bliss National Cemetery.

 

[GKC]

Don't ask me where my DD-214 is.

I kept up with my DD-214 for all these years, until last fall. I took it with me to the DPS to have the veteran designation added to my driver's license. Normally, I file it and other important papers (marriage license, teacher's certificate, voter registration, car titles, etc) in a file cleverly labeled "Important Papers." I went looking for it a while back and it wasn't there. My dad's DD-214 is in the file, but mine isn't. I did scan a copy into my laptop, so I do have an electronic copy. I have no idea what I did with it, and I've been very careful to keep up with for many years now.

If you think you might ever need yours, start on the process of getting one before you actually need it. I'm currently going through that process now, and as with all things governmentally bureaucratic, it is very tedious. (If anyone has a quick and easy way to get one, please let me know.)

 

[crazyphil]

If you have been to a VA hospital you should have a copy of your
DD214 in their file. Last time I needed a copy of mine, I got one
from my file at the VA hospital.

 

[cowart]

If you think you might ever need yours, start on the process of getting one before you actually need it.

When my dad died, we wanted to bury him at our state's national cemetery. They said that you must have an *original* DD-214 - a copy won't do. Fortunately, when my mom was throwing out his papers, I told her to keep that one.

 

[cmansguns]

Hi forum;

On the subject of DD-214 I found out many, many years ago that there are (were) many veterans files that were destroyed in the 1973 St. Louis Records Division warehouse fire. Mine was one of them!

Very fortunately (for me at least) I came home in 68 from overseas, and by 1971 was ready to buy a first house and decided on good advice to take advantage of a VA Loan guarantee. The ONLY record they had to have was an original DD-214 so I got one. A few years later I wanted a copy of my updated DD-214 (I had reenlisted and figured that a new, or updated DD-214 would reflect the new duty assignments, etc.). Anyway...I now have (also filed with "Important papers") two (2) official Discharge Certificates, but only 1 DD-214.

The government it appears pre-computers, etc. did not have duplicates at another storage facility so if you know you were in that pre 1973 fire era, check with the VA soonest you can.

 

[hoosierone]

Slightly off subject, but I have my original DD-214 but when they mailed me my discharge a few years later I misplaced it. Is there a way to get a copy? Got out in '73 so fear my records may have been burned up in the St. Louis fire.

 

[Dvan34]

I agree with you. When I came back from Korea in 1953 and since I have not discussed or mentioned my service with anyone. I don't attend the 'freebies' at the diners, they don't owe me anything. Nor do I wear any gear or emblems. I do get together with a friend, a younger, former Marine from the Vietnam era for coffee and lunch occasionally. We don't even discuss any events then. It's over. I've always been disgusted that the Korean War (Police Action?) never ended with a victory. One thing that still disturbs me is recalling many WWII vets that were recalled after briefly coming home from Europe and the Pacific and trying to put their lives and families back in order, and being recalled to Korea. A lot of them never came back from Korea.

 

[crazyphil]

One week from today, November 11th is Veterans Day. Thank all of you
in advance, who really served, for your service.

If you happen to be one of the make believers, make up a good story.
We can tell the difference.

 

[Sayoc01]

Have a old SEAL friend tell me things have changed a bit! Told me,while in Subic a couple of SEALS saw a guy wearing a SEAL shirt ! They introduced themselves & aked a couple of questions.Guy decided to remove the shirt.
Ran into a MARINE faker who was mouthing off about going to the
Motivation Platoon at Parris Island & how it was a piece of cake!My brother was with me,he graduated Honor Man at PI!He just looked at the guy & told me..he's full of ****!As rough as PI was,Motivation was worse!I've seen guys cry when they were sent to Motivation!
Jim

 

[Rastoff]

As I read the Stolen Valor Act of 2013, it seems that you are in violation only if you are trying to falsely obtain benefits.

Correct. You must be trying to gain some monetary benefit to violate the law. I believe pretending to be a MOH recipient is a crime under any circumstances.

People that are posers but not trying to obtain benefits are fine?

Randy

Well, this may not be breaking the law, but it's not fine with me.


I feel I need to clarify something. I have no issue with servicemen and vets taking advantage of benefits or discounts. All I was saying earlier is that I don't go looking for them. I once handed a cashier my debit card to pay for dinner. She noticed that it was a USAA card (only available to vets and their family) and asked if I were a vet. I said I was and she took 50% off the bill. I asked her not to, but she wouldn't hear of it.

It's the guys that make it a point to let everyone know their a vet and by God they deserve a discount, and even argue to try to get one, that bug me. I was raised to be gracious when someone gives you a gift. Demanding that they give it to you is not gracious.

 

[GKC]

I believe pretending to be a MOH recipient is a crime under any circumstances.

An attorney, who is also a judge advocate in the military reserves, told me that it was a felony. I assume he knows the law correctly.

 

[JH1951]

I clearly remember the days when being a veteran was not a popular thing.
At least we have risen in stature. Now if some of these folks would actually plug in some time and effort at what they want to be, the world may be a safer place.

 

[GKC]

Something that's happened to me a few times that's also gratifying is young people asking me about my experience in the military, as they are considering joining. I think it's a great thing for every young person, boy or girl, to serve. In fact, I wish it was required in this country, and for those who aren't medically capable, some form of community service.