Man wearing unearned military medals is seen by Navy commander at HS reunion

[Liberal_in_LA]

Palm Springs man charged with wearing unauthorized military medals to surrender
November 11, 2009 | 8:50 am

A Palm Springs man who has never served in the military is expected to surrender to authorities Thursday to face charges of wearing military medals he did not earn, authorities said today.

Steve Burton, 39, has agreed to surrender at the U.S. District Court in Riverside. He was charged Friday by federal prosecutors in L.A. with the unauthorized wearing of military medals after he was allegedly seen and photographed wearing military uniforms and decorations.

The FBI was contacted by a Navy commander after she attended her high school reunion and saw Burton wearing a Marine Corps uniform displaying several medals, including the Navy Cross, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and others, according to an affidavit filed in United States District Court.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/11/phony-navy-medals.html

The misdemeanor offense of unauthorized wearing of military medals carries a statutory maximum penalty of one year in federal prison.

[vadawg]

1. wow so you can go to jail for just wearing them, not even trying to get benefits etc

[Ferret Annica]

2. Yes, it's theft to claim status you have to earn

He is an insult to anyone who earned such awards the hard way, and who had the courage and character it takes to be recognized thusly.

[-..__...]

67. Stolen Valor Act

The Stolen Valor Act of 2005 (the Act), signed into law by President George W. Bush on December 20, 2006,<1> is a U.S. law that broadens the provisions of previous U.S. law addressing the unauthorized wear, manufacture, sale or claim (either written or verbal) of any military decorations and medals. It is a federal misdemeanor offense, which carries a punishment of imprisonment for not more than 1 year and/or a fine; the scope previously covered only the Medal of Honor.

The Act was first introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on July 19, 2005 by Representative John Salazar, a Democrat from Colorado, as H.R. 3352.<2><3> It was introduced into the Senate by Senator Kent Conrad, a Democrat from North Dakota, on November 10, 2005 as S. 1998.<4><5> The Senate version was passed unanimously on September 7, 2006.<5><6> The Senate version then went to the same House Judiciary Committee that held the House version. The Act briefly stalled, but the House subsequently passed the Senate version, S. 1998, on December 6 2006.<7>

The purpose of the Act is to strengthen the provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 704 by broadening its scope and strengthening penalties. Specific new provisions in the Act include: granting more authority to Federal law enforcement officers, extending scope beyond the Medal of Honor, broadening the law to cover false claims whereas previously an overt act had to be committed, covering mailing and shipping of medals, and protecting the reputation and meaning of military heroism medals.<3><5> Under the act, it is illegal for unauthorized persons to wear, buy, sell, barter, trade or manufacture "any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the armed forces of the United States, or any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces." In the 18 months after the act was enacted, the Chicago Tribune estimates 20 prosecutions. The number is increasing as awareness about the law spreads. <8>

The Act was likely passed in order to address the issue of persons claiming to have been awarded military awards for which they were not entitled and exploiting their deception for their personal gain. For example, as of June 2, 2006 there were only 120 living Medal of Honor recipients, but there were far more known imposters.<9><10><11> There are also large numbers of fake Navy SEALS<12><13> and Army Special Forces,<14> among others.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stolen_Valor_Act_of_2005

[niyad]

79. so this lovely little act was promulgated by two dems? and they didn't charge georgie boy

with violations for wearing that damned flight suit and pretending to fly that plane?

[-..__...]

85. Shameful publiity stunt or not...

it's probably mandatory that anyone sitting in the cockpit of a fighter jet is required to wear a flight suit for safety and survivability reasons.

[AlinPA]

109. It was not a fighter jet. It is used by the United States Navy to identify, track, and destroy

enemy submarines. The Viking also provides electronic warfare and surface surveillance capabilities to the carrier battle group.

[rd_kent]

88. Pretending to fly that plane?

As a 21 year Naval Aircrewman, what shrub was wearing was REQUIRED flight gear for that S-3B Viking that he flew in. That plane has four crewmembers and they all wear that same flightgear.

[AlinPA]

108. Backing up a bit, presidents are not supposed to wear military uniforms,

(the office of president was set up to be a civilian post, to be from the separate the military) so he should not have participated in that publicity stunt. His fake "pilot" stunt was unbecoming of a president or any elected official.

.

[Enthusiast]

125. It doesn't matter,

he's still an asshole.

[Enthusiast]

124. My thoughts exactly. nt

[Orsino]

101. Could we not find a more ironic president to sign this into law?

Really? Commander Guy? Colonel Flight Suit doesn't like people claiming unearned status?

Jesus Christ. :shrug:

[Generic Other]

128. Stolen Valor Act signed by the fraudulent fighter pilot...hahahaha

what's wrong with this picture???

[gratuitous]

74. Blasphemy is not tolerated by the High Church

It's okay to prostrate oneself before the sacred relics, but one must not touch or appropriate them without the blessings of the priests of the High Church of Redemptive Violence. Such blasphemy is punishable by the holy authorities, and their acolytes are everywhere.

[LanternWaste]

75. And everyone should be able to wear a law enforcement uniform also...

And everyone should be able to wear a law enforcement uniform also, otherwise it's simply a continuance of the horrible 1950's b-movies melodramatic flourish you just involved yourself in...

Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

[rd_kent]

89. What the fuck are you on about?

[gratuitous]

97. The state religion of the United States

It's been said that where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The United States spends well over a billion dollars a day on "defense" and military gewgaws, and I have concluded that this is indicative of the nation's faith in violence to redeem any situation, even violent ones. This faith plays out in myriad ways, not the least of which is an overweening belief that violence will drive out and overcome violence. It permeates our society so thoroughly that most citizens aren't even aware of it. Paradoxically, the society is so cognizant of the faith that its rituals or worship services, liturgies and holy relics, with damnation called down upon heretics and blasphemers who would deny or desecrate any of it. Our society invests the relics with a faith and power out of all proportion to reality that it's possible to wonder if we're not afflicted with some sort of mass delusion.

Among these relics are weapons, uniforms, music, rituals, and medals treated with a veneration that would shame a cloistered monk from the Dark Ages. Our society must carefully teach its religion to its citizens from the earliest age, and guard zealously against anything that would tend to detract from its mystic power. Any less-than-respectful treatment must be met sternly and promptly (profanity is a good device), even given the force of law in contravention of other, lesser rights that the society might imagine for itself.

[Hippo_Tron]

86. Yea in theory but I doubt it has ever happened

If anybody ever really took this kind of case to trial it would probably end up in the Supreme Court.

[sl8]

106. Schacht v. United States

SCHACHT v. UNITED STATES, 398 U.S. 58 (1970) :
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=398&invol=58

"Our previous cases would seem to make it clear that 18 U.S.C. 702, making it an offense to wear our military uniforms without authority is, standing alone, a valid statute on its face."

SCOTUS ruled in favor of Schact because the law made an exception for the theatrical productions and they found that the anti-war skit in which he was participating qualified as such.

Also, the law's exception for theatrical productions had included the caveat "if the portrayal does not tend to discredit that armed force". The Court ruled that that would "impose an unconstitutional restraint on freedom of speech and must be stricken from the section to preserve its constitutionality".

[tomm2thumbs]

3. how low does one's self esteem have to reach to play that out

no doubt it has not yet found bottom

[bluestateguy]

4. No sympathy

I won't even wear so much as a "US Army" or "USMC" T-shirt because I do not feel I have the right to do so, having never served.

[Confusious]

6. I wear my dad's navy peacoat

It's warm, and enough of my family has served and died under these colors that I have no problem with it.

Of course if some asks, I tell them it was my father's.

[zonkers]

56. Post a picture.... and we will forward it to the authorities. You are going down fo this one.

[GreenPartyVoter]

87. I wore my dad's pea coat and trench coat in college.

[rd_kent]

91. But the Peacoat is NOT something one wears to show awards.....

[Confusious]

120. Yea, but the person I responded to said they would not wear anything

the had any military insignia on it, as he had not served.

I was just saying neither had I, but I wear my father's peacoat. It still has the rank on there, but I'm not going to try and take it off.

[Statistical]

5. Hope the judge gives him the max.

If he wanted the couple pieces of tin he could sign up right now and be in a war zone in a couple months.
A zero playing hero, utterly disgusting when you consider some boys come home in a pine box for those honors that he snatched up like they were an xbox achievement

You can be arrested for even wearing a US Armed Forced uniform without award like ACU if you don't have authorization. (On Edit: although the law is rarely enforced).

[Strider2]

13. As long as it has no

official insignia especially identifying the wearer as a member of the armed forces, you should be fine. When I ETSd I simply removed the "US Army" insignia from my BDU's.

[niyad]

16. welcome to DU

lots of guys I know wear fatigues, etc.-- can get them at surplus or the thrift stores around here. nobody in this highly militarized town has ever said anything.

[Statistical]

19. lots of people smoke weed, speed while driving, and violate all kinds of other laws...

doesn't change the fact.

10 USC 771 is federal law. It may be rarely enforced but it does make wearing US military uniform without authorization a crime.

Sec. 771. - Unauthorized wearing prohibited

Except as otherwise provided by law, no person except a member of the
Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, as the case may be, may wear -

(1)
the uniform, or a distinctive part of the uniform, of the Army, Navy,
Air Force, or Marine Corps; or

(2)
a uniform any part of which is similar to a distinctive part of the
uniform of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps


Not only does this apply to all uniforms used by all branches of US military it also applies to something which is similar (sold with the intent of looking like official uniform of US Armed Forces).

[niyad]

20. I know that--this is just the first time I have ever heard of someone actually being charged with it

and I have been in and around military bases all my life


some people have wayyyyyyy too much time on their hands

[Confusious]

29. This is the third or fourth time

In the past 10 years someone has done something like this.

It's pathetic and sad.

[JoeyT]

41. I've heard of people getting yelled at by SPs.

I dunno if any of the people I heard of were charged with it.

I come from a military family, and I wore my dad's BDUs all the time in the winter when I was a kid. But only after the rank/name/etc had been yanked off 'em. If someone had suggested I wear his actual dress uniform I'd have thought they were crazy. That's what I remember the SPs yelling at a few people about...Wearing fully decorated dress uniform jackets. Though to be fair, I think that might've been more a security thing than anything else, since trying to look like someone that's in the military is taken a little more seriously on the base.

[C_Lawyer09]

112. The former CNO J. M. Boorda

Ended up commiting suicide over a flap about a combat v device on one of his ribbons. Kind of a shame too. He was a good CNO regardless of the indiscretion. What I think the bigger crime is, is the propensity of many parts of the Army to present awards unfairly or for reasons other than intrepid or gallant action or whatever the AR 600-8-22 specifies is deserving of that award. A lot of times rank comes into play versus action.

[dgibby]

48. As a matter of fact,

even Hollywood is not allowed to replicate military uniforms exactly. There is always something just slightly "off". When I was active duty, we loved to try to spot what was incorrect about the actors' uniforms. The most glaring one I found was an "officer" with "enlisted" insignia. We made a game of it. Whoever won got free dinner and drinks from the losers. Of course, we were easily entertained.:rofl:

I hope this loser has to do time. What an ass!

[NeedleCast]

77. Assuming the branch of service and unit insignias are removed

wearing surplus fatigues is legal.

[GA_ArmyVet]

107. Wearing fatigues or BDU's as we call them

or ACU's or any of the other uniforms we have is not at issue. It is the wearing of all the accoutrements that makes it illegal. Wearing a name tag on the uniform is fine, putting US Army, or US Navy is illegal. On older movies and TV shows you will always see the uniform diverge slightly from official uniforms. I quit noticing it after awhile so I dont really recall if they still do that.

The Uniform is one form of how the military identifies itself, much as an Police Office wears his badge and uniform to represent the Department he/she is on, our uniform identifies us to the public. And we are restricted on our actions in uniform as it is representative of the Military. Joe Q. Public does not usually see PFC Snuffy, he see Army Guy. If PFC SNUFFY is out drunk in a bar in uniform, it gives the perception that the Army is all drunk in bars..not fair, but the perception holds for the most part. See one cop in donut shop, and most people think all cops do is sit around drinking coffee and eating donuts.

Bottom line is that the uniform is restricted because of the potential for misuse, misconduct and fraud.

[B3Nut]

122. I used to bum around in surplus flight suits all the time...

never had any tags/rank/whatever on 'em though. If I didn't have this blasted Michelin I'd still be doing it here and there...they look kinda cool behind a battered Hammond organ... ;) Quite comfy...no drawers to fall down...loved it! And playing Hammond live makes one get spiritually airborne, so to speak...I thought it visually represented a part of my philosophy of music (yeah, I was a bit loopy back in the day, hell I still am)...but what do I know...I'm just a damned musician. :D

I would never have stuck patches/medals/etc on, though...that's just being a disrespectful asshole.

Todd in Cheesecurdistan
www.blueolives.com

[Statistical]

17. Well it is rarely enforced but still a crime.

http://docs.usapa.belvoir.army.mil/jw2/xmldemo/r670_1/main.asp

US ARMY Regulation:
"In accordance with chapter 45, section 771, title 10, United States
Code ( 10 USC 771 ), no person except a member of the U.S. Army may
wear the uniform, or a distinctive part of the uniform of the U.S.
Army unless otherwise authorized by law. Additionally, no person
except a member of the U.S. Army may wear a uniform, any part of which
is similar to a distinctive part of the U.S. Army uniform."

Federal code USC 771:
Sec. 771. - Unauthorized wearing prohibited

Except as otherwise provided by law, no person except a member of the
Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, as the case may be, may wear -

(1)
the uniform, or a distinctive part of the uniform, of the Army, Navy,
Air Force, or Marine Corps; or

(2)
a uniform any part of which is similar to a distinctive part of the
uniform of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps

[Johonny]

21. yah cause over crowding in California jails isn't a problem

right now. Hey we just let this guy go that beat someone to death with a hammer because we need space to jail all the people wearing costumes at their class reunion. Well no doubt this case will do wonders for all the Army/Navy surplus supply stores around the nation. I can see their new slogan now "buy our stuff and get free health care in jail".

[Statistical]

22. Well it would be federal prison not CA prison system.

[itsrobert]

7. Who wears a uniform to a high school reunion?

Nobody, I know.

[npk]

8. Maybe somebody looking to score if you know what I mean

[Kansas Wyatt]

36. Freeper looking to score with the chicks.

Desperately trying to make it look like he is somebody...

'Well, since I just got back stateside, mom is letting me live in the basement, until I'm shipped off on another classified mission.'

Looks like the 'Moran' Brigade just lost it's Colonel.

[Thothmes]

51. I did for the 20th reunion. Was on active duty at the time

No big deal, the Service dress uniform is acceptable for all social events.

[itsrobert]

105. Of course it is

No denying that.

[C_Lawyer09]

113. HOOAH!

[timtom]

52. It's worse than that.

In one company alone, I ran across two poseurs who claimed to have been U.S. Marines (they always seem to pick the Corps, don't they?)

Having put 4.5 years in, I am well-acquainted with lingo, buzzwords, Marine Corps organization, etc. I would throw out a couple of comments or questions that any bona fide Marine could easily answer.

Both failed miserably. I did not inform them that I knew them to be poseurs, however. It would have been like telling a bipolar person that they were bipolar.

[GA_ArmyVet]

119. That would have been my first clue

he was a fraud. very few soldiers I know want to wear their Uniform off duty. It is not all that comfortable.

[bullwinkle428]

9. I wonder what his Freeper username is?

[rd_kent]

92. huh?

[lpbk2713]

10. I hope that story appears in the newspapers in every town he's ever lived in.

Along with his picture.

[mitchtv]

95. actually it was well covered locally

after the coverage of our Veteran's Day Parade.

[zonkers]

11. deja vu flashback --- what story a few years back centered around soneone (not Dubya) wearing fake

medals in a foto? I just can't remember.

[petronius]

42. This may not be what you're thinking of, but a navy admiral, Jeremy Boorda,

committed suicide in 1996 after being accused of inappropriately wearing some decorations (although that probably wasn't the sole reason)...

[Hello_Kitty]

83. Mike Boorda. That was a very tragic incident.

Turns out that it was an honest mistake, him wearing the medals.

[zonkers]

90. Yes, Thats it thanks.

[C_Lawyer09]

114. All over a combat v device on a Navy Commendation Ribbon

[-..__...]

70. Jessie MacBeth?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Macbeth

[arcadian]

12. Next time he could wear a foreign military uniform with medals.

That's not against the law.

[vadawg]

14. rofl and introduce himself as a major general of the 52nd soviet guards division

lol now that would be funny as hell,

[C_Lawyer09]

115. Join the militia?

Dan Rather was interviewing some members of the Michigan militia. The self promoted general had about 200 ribbons thrown all over an olve drab fatigue jacket. Soup sandwich.

[TexasObserver]

15. Sentence him to basic training.

Prison? No. I think most incarcerations are unwarranted, and this one would be.

I'm a veteran. You can't really disgrace the uniform unless you behave reprehensibly while serving.

Which is worse? For some asshat to wear a uniform wrongly, or for a soldier wearing the uniform to rape, to kill without justification civilians, or to abuse prisoners?

I don't excited at this kind of event. He's a jerk for doing it, and exposure publicly in media is plenty of punishment.

[dontfollowmeb]

57. +100 Sentence Him To Parris Island But Back in 1967,,,, Then Straight To The "Nam"

Semper Fi,,,,,,,

[niyad]

18. seriously, the federal prosecutors have nothing more important to deal with? so glad to hear that

our world is so crime-free these days.

[nadinbrzezinski]

23. Well hope judge throws the book at this poser.

[Hawkeye-X]

24. OK - The smoking gun has the pic of the said offender

[npk]

28. Looks like my neighbor

I wonder if he drives a jeep wrangler with camouflage paint scheme and works at the CVS down the street. Such a small world.

[boppers]

45. Holy crap, that's a lot of "fake".

Sad, very sad.

[SoCalDem]

49. Fakers usually "over-do" it.. Reality needs not boast..pic

[theHandpuppet]

50. Those were the days when Army personnel still wore uniforms

Rather than the oversized camouflage pajamas that look as if they've been slept in for a week. It's one thing to wear that issue in combat, quite another to see both enlisted and officers wearing baggy, wrinkled camo to official functions, even military funerals.

[sammytko]

55. they are not allowed iron those things - we used to

I always had mine heavily starched. Even when i was in kuwait, they starched them at the laundry. That was years ago, but now they want you to just wash and wear.

[SoCalDem]

66. Maybe "made in China"? fumes from the iron might make you blind

:)

[era veteran]

68. No more breaking starch?

It just wouldn't be the same.

[krispos42]

93. Exactly

That struck me when Obama went to Dover AFB a couple of weeks ago. The soldiers pulling the caskets off were wearing the mottled battle dress. I was like "Wait, where's the dress uniforms? Don't our fallen soldiers deserve a dress uniform?"

They wore dress uniforms at Ted Kennedy's lying-in-state!

[NuttyFluffers]

53. dear lord, you can deflect pistol shots with that array! he's positively FESTOONED!

:freak:

[peekaloo]

61. That's a lot of flair!

asshole.

[brendan120678]

64. Let's see here...Three up and four down...

That would be an E-9, I believe. One of the highest enlisted ranks in the Corps.

Judging by the center it looks like Master Gunnery Sergeant.

[krispos42]

96. Yeah, Master Gunnery Sergeant. 3 up, 4 down, with an explosigng bomb in between

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:USMC-E9-MGyS.svg

[PVnRT]

82. Are you kidding me? Has he served in every war ever?

[krispos42]

94. He should spend a week...

...at the busiest intersection in Palm Springs. The top picture should be on a sandwich board around his neck and he should be holding a big sign that says "I'm a faker".


While wearing prison orange, of course.

[C_Lawyer09]

116. Holy Schniekes!

He wasn't messing around, that guy looks like GySgt. Thomas Highway. I'd read he was an imposter of a GySgt. He has Master Gunnery Sergeant Chevrons on. The ass hat awarded himself the Navy Cross!!

[Enthusiast]

127. What a dick! nt

[Statistical]

25. One other point.... what a dumbass.

Didn't he think wearing a rack with 30+ medals might be suspicious? He looks like a damn caricature of John Wayne.

Likely nobody would have been the wiser had he been so fucking vain that he couldn't accept not "awarding" himself less medals than Audie Murphy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audie_Murphy

[vadawg]

26. lol i was thinking damn thats a lot of medals......

though i couldnt ID even one of them, so maybe it would be possible...

[Confusious]

34. Yea I thought the same thing too

His got enough medals to be in the Russian military.

Does the United States have that many awards? Talk about grade inflation, that's medal inflation.

"see, I got this one for taking a shit correctly in the latrine!"

[Liberal_in_LA]

47. Audie Murphy's movie (the one where he plays himself) was on TV today

[Xithras]

27. He won't get jail time.

This pops up from time to time, and it's very rare for someone to get jailtime on their first offense. Generally, a fine and the public humiliation of being outed as a fake are considered punishment enough. Prison time is usually reserved for those who try to gain fame through their fake medals, or those who try to parlay them into jobs or other "benefits". Lying at your high school reunion, while pathetic, is a fairly minor thing.

I have to admit, though, that at moments like this I kinda miss the days when a judge could send a criminal into the military. THAT would be a fitting punishment.

[niyad]

30. speaking of sending criminals into the military, how IS tripp faring these days?

[npk]

31. I was just thinking that. How many people would be locked up for lying at their reunion.

They would need a lot more prisons in this country. I am sure this young man had the sole intention of wooing fair head mistress to his motel 6 room for a night I am almost certain she would have quickly forgot. Hopefully they will think of some kind of community service centered around helping real military soldiers.

[vadawg]

32. +1 yup get his ass helping wounded soldiers and some good might come of this...

[Statistical]

33. Hell even if they just made him go to Boot Camp before letting him get a discharge would be fitting.

Basic Training or Boot Camp is brutal enough. Once the Drill Sgts find out you are there because you like playing hero dress up it will be a whole new world of hurt.

Publicize that a couple times on the national news and I figure the rest of the armchair warriors will think twice before playing dress up.

[lpbk2713]

35. That made me think & LOL

"I'm gonna rip your balls off Pvt Pyle!"


:rofl:

[Caliman73]

99. I agree

I don't see him doing time either, but I don't know if I'd want to see that guy in the military either. He has already shown that he has no honor. I think picking up trash on the side of the highway is befitting his offense. A bright orange jumpsuit should be the only uniform he dons for awhile.

[proteus_lives]

37. He's lucky he was seen by someone with a cool head.

And not by by a couple of Marines. Then they would have give him an enema to get those medals for the court case.

[AspenRose]

38. "Next, on 'NCIS'...."

A good diversion story for the writers of "NCIS." :rofl:

[maheanuu]

39. Just this old Chief's 2 Cents

Steve Burton, IMHO deserves a lot more time to reflect on his sins than just one year. This man is one of the lowest forms of life on the earth today. Commander, you have my gratitude for doing what you did. For those of you who have never served, you will never know how strongly those of us who served and who serve today feel about those ribbons and medals. Many have died for less and the honor of earning them doesn't come easily. I don't expect everyone to know but I do expect your respect for those who have won the medals and were presented with them posthumously or those who are alive and wear them today. I honor and respect all who have paid the price to earn this pieces of tin with their bright ribbons. The value is not in the medals, the value is in the respect of your fellow military brothers and sisters.

Many of you may not know the name Adm. Jeremy M. Boorda, I would be willing to bet that there isn't a career Chief Petty Officer out there who doesn't know this name. This Sailor, This Man, was a Hero. IMHO he was the most honorable Officer I ever heard of. There are dozens of them who are in the History Books, John McCain's Father and GrandFather were Admirals, They also were honorable men, but not to the degree of Admiral Boorda. He was a man who lied about his age to enlist in the US Navy. He went from Seaman Recruit to CNO which is the Highest Rank and Station of the US Navy. Read about this man, and learn what Honor means to those who still believe in such things. Read about Admiral Boorda and compare him with Captain John McCain the Senator from Arizona... Tell me who has Gravitas....

Adm. Jeremy M. Boorda http://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/18/us/admiral-in-suicide-note-apologized-to-my-sailors.html

For those of you who have never served, may you never fall into harms way, For all my brothers and sisters of arms, I salute you amd respect each and every one of you, for you have carried the torch of freedom, have worked tirelessly and diligently to protect and defend our Constitution and Bill of Rights. You have gone that extra mile, that extra hour or day or week without complaint or bitching because you knew the job had to be done..

May each and everyone of you, have Fair Winds and Following Seas.

K. R. Jackson
CPO USN Ret.

[NYC_SKP]

40. Thank you, Chief.

Your post is moving, as is the sad story of Admiral Boorda.

Thank you for your service, and I hope you'll post more often.

NYC_SKP

:patriot:

[niyad]

43. thank you for your beautiful post. I remember the story of adm. boorda very well.

the whole thing seemed bizarre to me from the first.

[demigoddess]

44. amen, I agree, my dad had medals that we never got to see. Just the ribbons

on his chest. though I knew he had a purple heart as he was still carrying the shrapnel he got in Korea, but never got to see the medals.

[nadinbrzezinski]

46. Welcome to this place Chief

[trumad]

59. Yeppers...

Great post and welcome.

[peekaloo]

60. Welcome to DU!

Thank you for this post.

[csziggy]

102. Thank you for your service and for your message

And welcome to DU!

My Dad served in WWII and had a Navy and Marine Corps Medal awarded by Admiral Nimitz. The only "insignia" I ever saw him wear was his cap he wore to the submariners' reunions while he was able to go. He probably would spit on Steve Burton if he had seen him all dolled up in that get up.

[SpiralHawk]

54. This clown sounds like a Republicon Chickenhawk

The Republicon chickenhawks -- like Cheney, Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Beck, Hannity, Delay, etc. etc. ad nauseum -- are always parading around pretending to be war heroes

[TornadoTN]

80. That's a great point. I wonder what his Freeper handle is?

I'm sure he's got quite a collection of Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter, etc. on his bookshelf.

[LeftinOH]

58. This may be a more appropriate uniform for him:

[ddeclue]

62. STOOPED!

Why not wear a Medal of Honor while you're at it dumbass!

:crazy:

[malaise]

63. George or Jeb?

:rofl:

[Gold Metal Flake]

65. Pro-tip: It does not work the same in real life like it does on the internet.

Sorry, freepers, you take your online character too seriously and this is what happens.

[Crabby Appleton]

69. In one picture he's an LTC and a Master Gunny in the other. nt

[Love Bug]

73. I'll bet he has a whole rack of uniforms in his closet at home.

They really should change the law to state the offender should serve for one year instead of jailtime. That'll put a stop to that nonsense REAL fast because these types are wannabes who don't have the guts to enlist.

[brendan120678]

76. Hmmm...

E-9 (MGySgt) or O-5 (Light Colonel)...which would be more believable?

[era veteran]

71. Worse PX warrior I have ever seen

Before that I bet he was a Sidewalk commando, a person who dresses like a motorcycle tough or a cowboy like GW Bush

[Bozita]

72. Appears to be another case of GWB Syndrome.

In its terminal stages, the victims have been known to wear codpieces.

[SoCalDem]

98. or Delayed flagitis (this is NOT a photoshop)

[cynatnite]

78. An insult to every member of the military who earned their medals the hard way...

It pisses me off enough to want him locked up forever, but in reality...it should be a misdemeanor as you said.

[lpbk2713]

81. I wouldn't be surprised if when he's not in his dress-up costume ...

... that he brags about being a Navy SEAL. Unfortunately for
him though, there are websites where that can be verified.

What a looser**.


(**freeperese, his native tongue)

[Morrisons Ghost]

84. Hmmmmm!

Anybody seen TominTib lately?:evilgrin:

[csziggy]

100. Is it one offense per medal? If so, that fool is looking at a lot of time!

[Liberal_in_LA]

103. Update: This story is on CNN frontpage - he's a bank officer, home was raided by FBI

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/11/12/california.medals.charge/index.html

Burton, who was off work because it was Veterans Day, would not come to the door, and a man who came to the door referred CNN to Burton's lawyer, DeFrank. The man said he was Burton's partner for 18 years and retired from the U.S. Air Force.

A next-door neighbor described Burton as "quiet and nice." She said she saw agents carry away several boxes from the home two weeks ago.

A search warrant was executed at Burton's home, said Akrotirianakis, who did not divulge what was found there.

Akrotirianakis also would not say where authorities believe Burton obtained the medals. However, an Internet search showed several medals -- or possibly replicas -- for sale online, despite a law banning their advertisement or sale. Even if a medal is a replica, wearing it still violates federal law, Akrotirianakis said.

[mainer]

104. Dumb question: where do you pick up these medals?

Do people sell their old medals at army surplus stores?

[Robb]

118. I remember the first time I saw a Purple Heart in a case at a pawn shop.

Affected me in a way very hard to describe. :(

[rockymountaindem]

126. Yes, surplus stores, collectibles and souvenir shops, gun shows

all these places usually have a few old medals lying around. Gun shows tend to have them in spades along with old coins, uniforms, etc.

For these purposes going to a gun show is usually better than going to a museum. Last gun show I went to, I saw a British army field jacket from the 1870's, bright red in great condition. I also saw, shock of shocks, an SS Catholic chaplain's jacket with the typical SS and Nazi insignia with purple piping and clerical bands all in one. That was a trip and a half. But, as someone who collects antique military medals, gun shows and collectibles shops are the places to go. You can get damn near anything.

[ThoughtCriminal]

110. I lost a toy soldier when I was little

I cried, but my mother told me, "Don't worry it will show up again."

I see it's back.

(From an old movie - "Five-Man Army")

[ThoughtCriminal]

111. Ever get into a political debate with these fakes?

The right-wingnuts who invoke their "Service" as a trump card for why their experience makes them an authority on world affairs, diplomacy and strategy.

It's not hard to figure out which ones never got any closer than a 3rd-person shooter.

Among the most notorious: Duke Tully. Ultra-conservative, former publisher of the Arizona Republic:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darrow_Tully

This guy was way over the top and unfortunately, very influential. He was pretty much responsible for starting John McCain's political career.

[Kaleva]

117. At least he didn't have a salami taped to the inside of his left leg while wearing tight pants.

[Dreamer Tatum]

123. I think he had it taped to the seat of his shorts nt

[Kaleva]

121. Man will be wearing prison orange at his next HS reunion.