Stolen Valor Act of 2013 signed into law

[SEFEGeorge]

About frigging time. Got this from the American Legion site.

On June 3, President Barack Obama signed into law The American Legion-backed Stolen Valor Act of 2013, which now makes it a "federal crime for an individual to fraudulently hold oneself out to be a recipient of any of several specified military decorations or medals with the intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit."

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the original Stolen Valor Act of 2005, deeming it unconstitutional because it was, in the justices’ opinion, too broad in scope and violated the right of free speech. The Legion passed Resolution 283 during its 2012 National Convention, calling on Congress to amend the Stolen Valor Act of 2005, to provide that the elements of fraud be incorporated into previous Stolen Valor legislation. U.S. Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nev., and the Legion worked together to draft a new Stolen Valor Act that included this legal language in effort to meet the Supreme Court’s objections to the old Stolen Valor Act.

On Jan. 15, 2013, Heck introduced H.R.258, the Stolen Valor Act of 2013. The bill also criminalized the act of lying to gain unearned veterans health-care benefits or other rewards, such as employment reserved for veterans. And on May 20, the House of Representatives passed Heck’s bill by a vote of 390 to 3. Legion Commander James E. Koutz praised the overwhelming, bipartisan vote.

"The American Legion is impressed with Congress today," he said. "Those who deliberately lie about military service, wear medals they did not earn or make claims of combat heroism they did not achieve are more than just liars. They are perpetrators of the worst kind of fraud. Their lies are an insult to all who have truly stood in harm’s way and earned their decorations. We raised this issue at our national convention, and the House acted."

On May 22, the Senate passed the legislation by unanimous consent. Senators Dean Heller, R-Nev., and Jon Tester, D-Mont., introduced the Senate companion bill (S. 210).

Both Heck and Heller rejoiced at the president’s signature. "I’m pleased that the valor and integrity of our military awards, along with the men and women who have earned them, are once again protected by law," Heck said. "It has been an incredibly rewarding process, and I thank all of those who have helped along the way in making this bill a law."

"I’m pleased that President Obama signed the Stolen Valor Act into law," Heller said. "The brave acts of the men and women in our military should be honored and protected. Thanks to the hard work of Rep. Heck and those who joined us in support of this issue, the recognition that these men and women earned will be preserved."

[Sparks]

This is an issue that has been a long time coming and very welcome. I can only hope this legislation will have some teeth and hero wanna be's will suffer from their decisions to falsify who they are. I remember a famous picture of a long haired scruffy looking man wearing a boonie hat and dirty fatigues slobbering at the Viet Nam veterans memorial. He was portrayed as one of those men "broken" by the war and held up as a returning hero "forgotten" by his nation. When I saw this picture for the first time I felt ashamed. Not for the broken vet but for how he portrayed himself. I didn't want to have my service associated with this fool in any way. Of course it wasn't until much later that he was outed as a liar and fraud.

This fraud isn't limited to civilians. While stationed at Elmendorf AFB in the early 1980's, I worked with an active duty Tech Sgt. who came to work sharply dressed in his blue dress uniform every day. This Tsgt had a rack of ribbons' that were at least nine rows plus other devices. I never thought to question him about his "rack" but the old Msgt NCOIC took a look into this guys service and lo and behold....the man was wearing tons of stuff on his chest that he wasn't entitled to. Of course he provided a lame excuse, "I wore them in honor of my brother". This guy was swiftly removed from his primary job and was assigned to the 1stSgt for scut duty the rest of his tour.

Needless to say, I have very little empathy for these frauds and am thankful the Legion worked to have the Stolen Valor Act passed. There is a good book I read several years ago titled "Stolen Valor, How the Vietnam Generation Was Robbed of its Heroes and its History" by B.G. Burkett and Glenna Whitley. It is a good read and I highly recommend it. Just take your blood pressure medicine first.

[Graywolf88]

Text not yet available from Library of Congress, but congressional website confirms it is law and has summary posted. You can find it here;

http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/258

[SEFEGeorge]

Early in my career I heard a story about an airman who had a lot of ribbons on his uniform. Like Purple Heart, etc. Some one started ragging his that he was wearing unauthorized awards and would be facing some legal action. Come to find out the guy was ex-army and later entered the AF. Some mighty red faces around there.

[Sparks]

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