Stolen Valor Act of 2005

The Library of Congress - Bills Resolutions ^ | 2005 | Congressman John Salazar

[Calpernia]

In July, Congressman Salazar introduced HR 3352 - the Stolen Valor Act of 2005. His bill aims to expand federal law enforcement's ability to prosecute individuals who claim to have received military medals they did not earn.

These imposters degrade the meaning of medals earned in service to our nation and sometimes use their "standing" as a medal recipient to commit further fraud and more dangerous crimes.

Congressman Salazar’s Stolen Valor bill already has bipartisan support. In the first week alone, more than 50 Members of Congress signed up to help defend the honor of our veterans.

[facedown]

bttt

[Calpernia]

bump

[Calpernia]

bump

[BIGLOOK]

Aloha Nut Cracker in Chief!

The waning days of the Republican controlled congress have been productive.

And thanks for the Thanksgiving Day wishes. I was away and couldn't reply. But I always remember.

[CWOJackson]

Thanks...I've been following this.

Unfortunately this is only half the problem with our medals and awards. The other half of the problem lies within the services themselves.

Over the past twenty years the services have slowly moved the approval process for awards further and further down the chain. For instance, an award that might have required approval at the headquarters (DC) level twenty years ago may now only require a regional approval a couple of steps down the chain.

This has made the system quicker but at the same time it's also caused the number of medals approved to skyrocket and the unique value of the award to be lessened.

For instance, twenty or more years ago the Bronze Star was a fairly significant medal, today it is far too common. An example, in the early days of Operation Iraqi Freedom the Air Force gave a Bronze Star to an E-3 (very junior enlisted man), who had been the gopher at a stateside base involved with logistics planning.

I'm not saying the E-3 didn't deserve AN award, but he probably didn't deserve the same award a soldier or marine earned in combat.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

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Thank you for your CLARITY, Calpernia


AR

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[onyx]

Thanks for the information.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[freema]

You've got to be kidding. I couldn't read anything after the news about Tonk. I just popped in, heartbroken and now awestruck.

Look at this..........

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Prayer Requested for 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Update at #2841) ^

Posted by MoJo2001 to cll; .30Carbine; jtill; 05 Mustang GT Rocks; 1035rep; 185JHP; 1COUNTER-MORTER-68; 1lawlady; ...

On News/Activism ^ 12/16/2006 10:20:48 PM EST · 2,841 of 3,086 ^

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Stolen Valor Act of 2005 ^

Posted by Calpernia to freema

On News/Activism ^ 12/17/2006 12:14:02 AM EST · 123 of 128 ^

[clintonh8r]

What about tonk? What's going on?

[Marine_Uncle]

"In the first week alone, more than 50 Members of Congress signed up to help defend the honor of our veterans."
Finally. Something I can say bravo to in regards to our Representatives.

[freema]

Here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1717821/posts?page=2841#2841

[Calpernia]

I saw MoJo's update at 2,841. I freepmailed MoJo to see if we can get this update faxed to the hospice or something.

I don't want Tonk to pass on and think all his activisms and promises to his brothers were for nothing.

This may even inspire him to eat.

[TankerKC]

An example, in the early days of Operation Iraqi Freedom the Air Force gave a Bronze Star to an E-3 (very junior enlisted man), who had been the gopher at a stateside base involved with logistics planning.

A Bronze Star while stateside. Details? Link?

[alarm rider]

Look, despite your concerns, the US government has replacement medals for everything from the Spanish American War on ,and they are all for sale. They are not hard to find with the exception of Medals of Honor of various branches.

For many reasons they need to be available. Many families want to honor their loved one with a collection of medals as a display that have been lost or thrown away. Many militaria collectors salvage medals that some clueless families offer for sale or just chuck.

Most replacement medals are not "named", that is they do not have the service members name engraved on them. For instance, the "good conduct" medal was given to just about everyone serving in the Army pre-WWII on. There are millions of them, they are worth almost nothing and they are widely available.

Taking all military medals off the open market is a fool's errand. It will not stop the trade, nor will it change much.

[Fred Hayek]

I am surprised to see Bagdad Jim McDermott's name there.

[Fred Hayek]

I am surprised to see Bagdad Jim McDermott's name there.

[freema]

Glad to hear that, he should know. I think more likely than not, that he is not be able to eat.

[BIGLOOK]

Jim McDermott.....USN, '68-70.

Also say he's a shrink; eight term congressman (or is it 10?)

Short time military, long time politician. No Merit Badges though.