The Tradition of Valor Is Being Kept

CSM said:
You may want to define the word valor (and honor too) as neither word seems to be in the lib/Dem vocabulary.


I think I like the introduction, then the examples that do more to define it than any dictionary could do, I'm going to edit the URL above, as it seems to be on again, off again. It's the cached version, but seems easier to access:


http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache...lor&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1&client=firefox-a
After the Battle of Iwo Jima, Adm. Chester Nimitz declared that "uncommon valor was a common virtue."

Sixty years later, many American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are showing that same bravery in a different sort of war — one in which, unlike World War II, there are shadowy enemies and no front lines.

Day after day, they move among the chaos in Afghanistan or Iraq, trying to build bridges, to deliver supplies, to do as they have been asked to help build a stable society where there was none.

They move among the people, wanting to trust but knowing they cannot. They endure dust storms and boredom punctuated by moments of fury, and months of long, sleepless nights away from their loved ones.

Many have died or become maimed. And many, living and dead, have met the test of fear and violence with the uncommon valor of which Nimitz spoke.

In this special section, Stars and Stripes, the independent newspaper authorized by the Department of Defense, examines the nature of heroism and, specifically, the deeds that have earned medals of valor for the dozens of servicemembers profiled in these stories. Those included stand as surrogates for the thousands of others so recognized.

Stripes focused on the highest honors given for valor in a war zone, irrespective of rank. This section pays tribute to the warfighter.

These vignettes aim to delve below the surface of press releases and welcome-home parades to describe what earning a medal for valor is really like, and to honor the living and dead who earned them.

The stories of individuals follow via links...
 
Granny says lock `em up an' throw away the key...
:clap2:
House passes bill on lying about military medals
May 21, 2013 WASHINGTON - People who falsely claim they have received a military medal in order to obtain money or government benefits could face up to a year in jail under legislation that easily passed the House on Monday.
The Stolen Valor Act, sponsored by Nevada Republican Joe Heck, is a second attempt by the House to revive a law on fraudulent claims to medals that was struck down by the Supreme Court in June last year. The legislation is identical to a measure that passed the House overwhelmingly last September but saw no Senate action before the last session of Congress ended. The vote Monday was 390-3.

The Supreme Court, in invalidating the Stolen Valor Act of 2006, ruled that while making false statements about receiving a military medal might be contemptible, such lies were protected by First Amendment free speech rights. The case involved a former California politician who lied about being a decorated military veteran. It has long been a crime to wear, manufacture or sell military declarations or medals without proper authorization.

As rewritten, the bill more narrowly focuses on those who lie about receiving medals "with intent to obtain money, property or other tangible benefit." That could include those who claim medals in order to receive veterans benefits, land a government contract or get a job reserved for veterans. Offenders face fines and up to a year in prison. The bill, said Heck, "resolves these constitutional issues by clearly defining that the objective of the law is to target and punish those who represent their service with the intent of profiting personally or financially."

After the Supreme Court ruling, the Pentagon announced it would establish a database of military valor awards and medals, making it easier to validate claims. The site, U.S. Military Awards for Valor - Top 3 , lists individuals who were awarded the Medal of Honor or a Service Cross prior to or after Sept 11, 2001. It also lists Silver Star recipients for actions since Sept. 11. Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., has similar legislation pending in the Senate.

House passes bill on lying about military medals - U.S. - Stripes
 
IRS says veterans posts should be able to prove their members are veterans...
:cool:
IRS rule could cause problems for veterans
September 2, 2013 — An Internal Revenue Service policy mandating nonprofit veteran’s organizations keep documents proving members served in the military isn’t going to be easy for the Dalton American Legion to follow, according to its commander.
The policy was published in January 2011 in an IRS manual chapter dealing with tax-exempt veteran’s groups, but it seems to have just received attention from the groups it affects, according to an Army Times article. The guidelines require the organizations keep proof of each member’s eligibility. Without it, the groups could face a $1,000 fine each day they aren’t in compliance, and they could lose their nonprofit status. “A fine of $1,000 a day would bankrupt any post really quickly,” said Dewey Moss, commander of American Legion Post 112 in Dalton. He also said he hadn’t heard of the policy until recently when the media began reporting on it.

In order to become a member of the American Legion, veterans must prove they were in military service during wartime by showing a copy of their discharge papers, DD Form 214. “To be a member you have to have served during a wartime period,” Moss said. “The government specifies what dates those are. To prove eligibility you have to have DD Form 214. What the IRS is saying is that if we don’t have a copy of that on file then basically there’s no proof that member is eligible to join, and our nonprofit status is dependent on it being an all-veteran organization. It could very well affect us.”

The American Legion in Dalton doesn’t currently keep copies of the documents on file because they contain so much personal information, including a veteran’s Social Security number, he said. Several members of the Dalton post have been involved for at least 40 years and don’t even have their copy of the document, Moss said. The American Legion’s National Convention was last week in Houston, and Moss said he’s sure the policy would be discussed. The Daily Caller reported that Legion members would decide on resolutions recommending action by the Legion allowing them to lobby for a change.

Larry Morrison, commander of American Legion Post 167 in Chatsworth, said his post keeps many of the required forms on file with the Social Security number blacked out to prevent violating a person’s privacy. But the post doesn’t have the document for each member. “It won’t affect us in any way,” he said of the policy. “We’ve never been approached by the IRS to provide documentation to them physically. We have never been approached by anyone with the IRS requesting documentation for us to keep on file. ... We haven’t had any instructions by state, local or federal government to change our policy.” Morrison said the post makes sure they stay in compliance. “We don’t want any IRS people coming in there sniffing around,” he said. “I think it’s a non-issue myself.”

IRS rule could cause problems for veterans - Veterans - Stripes
 
Reminds me of a true story. At the end of WWII a couple of us went over to visit a friend that had been in the service. He wasn't home, but his father said wait, and he went to a bedroom and brought out a framed document. It was a dishonorable discharge and the old man had a tear in his eye as he recounted how is son, "had gone through hell."
As we left. we realized the old man could not read, and I often wonder if anyone ever told him?
 
Interesting article I found once about the psychological reasons people do this. Interestingly enough some do it to associate themselves with the hardships not the heroics.


******************************************************************
Politicians and Their Fake War Stories

It’s not uncommon for people — even public officials — to lie about their military service. What’s behind this kind of deception?

http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/19/politicians-and-their-fake-war-stories/?_r=0
 
Just for kicks read Kerry's self recommended citation for the Silver Star. While you are at it you might review the shortest Medal of Honor citation in the book awarded to MacArthur. Don't try to tell me that Medal citations are written in stone and they should never be questioned. It happens all the time. Marine General Victor Krulak's awards during WW2 were questioned and reviewed by Army brass.
 
Just for kicks read Kerry's self recommended citation for the Silver Star. While you are at it you might review the shortest Medal of Honor citation in the book awarded to MacArthur. Don't try to tell me that Medal citations are written in stone and they should never be questioned. It happens all the time. Marine General Victor Krulak's awards during WW2 were questioned and reviewed by Army brass.

Well one should read Senator Joseph McCarthy's record of medals.
Be that as it may, however, the part of medals that is the tragedy is of those that should have received awards and didn't. In our rifle company, in one night engagement about fifteen soldiers were wounded by morter shell fragments and not one was put in for the purple heart. Later they medals became valuable for a going home ticket and too late.
I can imagine some of the real heroic deeds that never came to light and only a few knew about them.

Wonder why army brass reviewed A Marine's awards? The navy reviewed Kerry's.
 
CSM said:
You may want to define the word valor (and honor too) as neither word seems to be in the lib/Dem vocabulary.


I think I like the introduction, then the examples that do more to define it than any dictionary could do, I'm going to edit the URL above, as it seems to be on again, off again. It's the cached version, but seems easier to access:


http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache...lor&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1&client=firefox-a
After the Battle of Iwo Jima, Adm. Chester Nimitz declared that "uncommon valor was a common virtue."

Sixty years later, many American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are showing that same bravery in a different sort of war — one in which, unlike World War II, there are shadowy enemies and no front lines.

Day after day, they move among the chaos in Afghanistan or Iraq, trying to build bridges, to deliver supplies, to do as they have been asked to help build a stable society where there was none.

They move among the people, wanting to trust but knowing they cannot. They endure dust storms and boredom punctuated by moments of fury, and months of long, sleepless nights away from their loved ones.

Many have died or become maimed.
And many, living and dead, have met the test of fear and violence with the uncommon valor of which Nimitz spoke.

In this special section, Stars and Stripes, the independent newspaper authorized by the Department of Defense, examines the nature of heroism and, specifically, the deeds that have earned medals of valor for the dozens of servicemembers profiled in these stories. Those included stand as surrogates for the thousands of others so recognized.

Stripes focused on the highest honors given for valor in a war zone, irrespective of rank. This section pays tribute to the warfighter.

These vignettes aim to delve below the surface of press releases and welcome-home parades to describe what earning a medal for valor is really like, and to honor the living and dead who earned them.

The stories of individuals follow via links...


Any people joining the volunteer military these days, and thereby subjecting themselves to all that, deserve nothing but the highest praise, highest respect...and valour medals in appreciation.
Of course not everyone thinks like that, are anti-war, blame the troops for what politicians decide, and attack anyone who goes to entertain the troops.

Beccy Cole sings a song...'Poster Girl'... she entertained her nation's troops overseas, was written to and told that her poster had been ripped off the wall in disgust.
 

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