Grinder
12 August 2003, 14:50
Commentary: ‘Stolen valor’ dishonors our heroes
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Army News Service, Aug. 6, 2003) -- Medals for valor
are paid for with sweat, blood, and in too many cases with the ultimate
sacrifice for our country.
Surviving families don’t ask for a crisply folded flag or a posthumous
award for their loved ones’ bravery. They would much rather have their
soldier safely home and out of harm’s way.
We recently learned that all citizens don’t understand the true meaning
of integrity regarding medals for valor. The U.S. Army Personnel
Command awards branch recently assisted the Federal Bureau of
Investigation in bringing to closure an allegation that a Rhode Island
man had fabricated documents to upgrade his Bronze Star to the
Distinguished Service Cross.
Unbeknownst to the Army, a congressman presented a fake certificate and
store-bought DSC to him in 2000. The veteran’s secret went
undiscovered for three years. The Vietnam veteran recently admitted
that he fraudulently created a letter from the Army to a congressman
advising him that the Army had awarded him the DSC, the military’s
second-highest honor.
“Actions of stolen valor dishonor all warriors whose valorous deeds
have earned them every citizen’s respect, appreciation and love for
protecting our way of life,” said retired Col. Roger Donlon.
Donlon, the first Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient, was a captain in
1964. He commanded Special Forces Detachment A-726 at Camp Nam Dong
when a Viet Cong battalion attacked the camp. Donlon was awarded the
Medal of Honor by President Lyndon Johnson in 1965.
“Medals of valor are never won, they are earned in actions against a
hostile enemy and these actions go above and beyond the call of duty.
Every recipient of such an award accepts these sacred honors with the
highest sense of responsibility. They dedicate themselves to upholding
the dignity of each award for all who have served honorably and
continue to serve.”
Freedom isn’t free and valor awards are not meant to be bought and sold
on the Internet or engraved in trophy shops.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Army News Service, Aug. 6, 2003) -- Medals for valor
are paid for with sweat, blood, and in too many cases with the ultimate
sacrifice for our country.
Surviving families don’t ask for a crisply folded flag or a posthumous
award for their loved ones’ bravery. They would much rather have their
soldier safely home and out of harm’s way.
We recently learned that all citizens don’t understand the true meaning
of integrity regarding medals for valor. The U.S. Army Personnel
Command awards branch recently assisted the Federal Bureau of
Investigation in bringing to closure an allegation that a Rhode Island
man had fabricated documents to upgrade his Bronze Star to the
Distinguished Service Cross.
Unbeknownst to the Army, a congressman presented a fake certificate and
store-bought DSC to him in 2000. The veteran’s secret went
undiscovered for three years. The Vietnam veteran recently admitted
that he fraudulently created a letter from the Army to a congressman
advising him that the Army had awarded him the DSC, the military’s
second-highest honor.
“Actions of stolen valor dishonor all warriors whose valorous deeds
have earned them every citizen’s respect, appreciation and love for
protecting our way of life,” said retired Col. Roger Donlon.
Donlon, the first Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient, was a captain in
1964. He commanded Special Forces Detachment A-726 at Camp Nam Dong
when a Viet Cong battalion attacked the camp. Donlon was awarded the
Medal of Honor by President Lyndon Johnson in 1965.
“Medals of valor are never won, they are earned in actions against a
hostile enemy and these actions go above and beyond the call of duty.
Every recipient of such an award accepts these sacred honors with the
highest sense of responsibility. They dedicate themselves to upholding
the dignity of each award for all who have served honorably and
continue to serve.”
Freedom isn’t free and valor awards are not meant to be bought and sold
on the Internet or engraved in trophy shops.