Officer who testified in Zimmerman trial wore questionable ribbons, including one from WWII

Guns.Com ^ | July 3, 2013 | Jennifer Cruz

[castlebrew]

Well, except for her apparently referencing her military service as part of all this. So there’s an implied connection.

Just from what I picked up on this thread. YMMV.

[Hot Tabasco]

What would a cop do to earn the same ribbon as a service member!

Why don't you ask this fake Four Star General? Or better yet, have him arrested for impersonating a military officer........Sheesh!

[KoRn]

Ok guys, never speak ill of another FReeper.....

[Godebert]

He started it.

[Wurlitzer]

Even though I had absolutely nothing to do with this, as an American citizen, I apologist to ALL veterans for what our country has devolved into.

You deserve so much more respect. Our government, at many levels is vile and unworthy of your sacrifice.

[DoughtyOne]

As a WWII vet I see wearing unearned ribbons earned in/by military service as a an assumption of an honor not qualified for or earned. There are many persons who died for this Nation who earned ribbons/badges who become just part of any glory seeking mindset. I wonder how many SC Justices have put their their lives on the line for all the garbage decisions they make.

If we're talking about a person wearing a uniform with ribbons they didn't earn, or a person claiming to be a former member of the military for monetary gain or fame/recognition, I have a very strident dislike for it.  The impersonator deserves to go to prison IMO.  The person wearing the medals they didn't earn, should face a stiff fine. In some instances, I might go along with a jail term too.

If a person is not wearing a military uniform and ribbions mean something different in the context in which they are use, they stand for something else, I don't have a problem with it.

I'm not trying to be argumentative with you here.  I simply want to make it clear how vile I consider certain misuses of these ribbons to be.  In that we certainly agree.  I do not share your dislike of the ribbons being used on a police uniform, but I do think it would be best to come up with unique ribbons that would not be seen by some vets as a misrepresentation or insulting.  It's the uniform that she wears now that makes a difference for me.  I don't think she's trying to claim an honor that she doesn't qualify for.

I don't think she's doing this for monetary gain.

Thank you for your service.

[SpaceBar]

I see it as just another example of the militarification of the domestic police. Gestapo wannabees love medals, dress uniforms, and all the pomp. That’s why the police refer to non-police as “civilians” when they themselves are civilians.

[Conserev1]

Maybe this one should be displayed as well. Stars may be of any consequence but ribbons are of a differernt nature.

[KoRn]

"The official also stated that they intentionally chose World War II ribbons because there are not many veterans still alive from that era and they did not think anyone would notice."

How completely pathetic! They should give them all authentic SEAL Tridents too!!

[MrEdd]

Age does not necessary correlate to sexual maturity.

There are endocrine disorders which postpone or even obviate puberty. I think a hypothalmus damaged by neonatal asphyxiation is the most common (one in twenty five thousand people) and some of those never have a puberty at all.

If they meet height and weight minimums they would still be able to get in.

Okay, not a common situation but this does come up.

[04-Bravo]

The Army of Occupation Medal has an unusual history. It was awarded long after the war to U.S. servicemen stationed in West Berlin, due to that city’s status under the Four Power Agreement.

I was assigned to the Berlin Brigade in the mid 1970’s, and was awarded that same medal.

[Conserev1]

Funny you should mention that, the the old man was there and usually had a story about hauling ass down to the check point at the Berlin border in the middle of the night!

[HenpeckedCon]

I was a soldier and I never saw one. I was a combat engineer though, not infantry. There were a few Nam Vets who were infantry, but I never saw a CIB with 3 stars.

[Conserev1]

3rd Star is the foruth award recieved.

[HenpeckedCon]

Oh, I was at a military funeral recently and there was a young Spec 4 who was an honor guard and he had an impressive amount of ribbons including a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star with a “V” along with the CIB. He was in the National Guard but his combat patch was from the 82th Airborne. I wanted to shake his hand but that wouldn't have been Kosher. It gives me faith in today's army.

[stormer]

Not just a CIB. The decoration in question is given to a person who has been awarded 3 CIBs (the bar and wreath represent the first, the stars represent additional awards). There have only been 324 of these awarded - far fewer than CMOH - and the only people to wear them served in direct infantry combat as infantrymen in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. If you ever see a guy wearing one and he’s not at least 85 years old, he’s a fraud.

[Conserev1]

Sorry I hit post too soon each star is a war served.

[Einherjar]

Um, I was in Sang Bang... Dang Gong...

I was in Spoon Platoon- First Underwater Mess Kit Repair Battallion

[Conserev1]

The old man carried 2 Vietnam and Korea.

[stormer]

Agreed. The militarization of the police is a dangerous practice. I am especially outraged by the police use of the term “civilians” as well.