Someone posted earliet about people faking military service, especially heroic service,

[old mark]

and I want to thank them - I followed the link, and saved the site that has lists of these liars and exposes them.

I just want to pass on the story of a man who was pointed out to me once when I was in the Army, the bravest person I ever saw in person, Master Sergeant Roy Benavides from Texas. He won the Medal of Honor in Vietnam in '68, and he did this to do it:

http://www.mishalov.com/Benavidez.html

Please take the time to read the story at this link - no bullshit, this man cared about his people and deserves praise no matter where you stand on the military - Sgt. Bevevides is the best of what the military can be.

It infuriates me that people would lie about their experiences in the military even to the extent of claiming the MOH and other decorations for valor when many have never served at all.

Again, thanks to whoever posted the link.

mark

[ensho]

1. I've met a lot of men that claim to be viet nam vets and you know its a lie

nt

[Kansas Wyatt]

2. It's been my experience, that the ones who really have served under fire...

Do not want to ever talk about it and would never voluntarily tell people.

The ones who do a lot of talking about it, were either in the rear or never even there.

Just saying, that's just what I have seen.

[cliffordu]

3. I completely agree. Medal theives need to have face brands.

I got discharged as a private.....Apparently I kinda pissed them off before I left.

[old mark]

4. I did too - I was on my 2nd time as a Sp-4 when we parted company.

[Marr]

5. Wow- amazing story at that link.

Thanks for sharing it.

The most... I don't know if heroic is the word, but "hardcore" certainly applies... anyway, the most hardcore military man I ever knew never talked about his experiences in Vietnam unless asked about it, and then he spoke in a very matter of fact way. This guy had been a Ranger in Vietnam for multiple tours, spending much of that time doing LRRP.

He was about 5'4", maybe 145lbs. Small guy. I didn't even know he'd been to Vietnam at all for the first couple of years I knew him, and we worked together all the time. Very unassuming. One day an old buddy of his came around and I heard him mention something about it, and that's the only reason I even knew he'd been in the military.

I once saw a guy who claimed to be a SEAL, bragging to him about all the crazy things he did (he was about 27, and this was about 1990), and what a badass he was. The older guy just smiled and let him talk, and never even bothered telling him about himself. I thought that was so cool.

[OutNow]

6. Real and Imaginary War Heroes

There are many real war heroes. My personal hero threw his Silver Star with oak cluster over the war during the Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) Dewey Canyon III rally in Washington D.C in 1971. Unfortunately, his experience as a LLRP led him to seek comfort in heroin and his life often revolved around looking for his next fix.

And then there are the imaginary heroes. Like the former division president at IBM, Jeff Papows.
This Marine pilot (false) Major (false) often kept a flight suit on the back on his door just in case his active Marine Reserve unit (false) was called up in a national emergency.

Read more...

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-95847.html

Yes, I also believe that the real military heroes almost never talk about their experience.

[old mark]

7. An old friend spent 1 1/2 years in Vietnam in 2nd Marines.

He had drug and alcohol problems for the rest of his life, leading to his total collapse and death in his mid 50's. Wars are never really over for a lot of people.

The fakes are such shits, it's hard to comprehend.

mark

[LostinVA]

8. Even some people on here have done that -- weird

I have alot of REAL combat vets in my family (both grandfathers, my couisn, BIL, etal), so this pisses me off.