Stolen valor is free speech, unless they get tangible/monetary benefits from it. Who cares if some idiot is wearing a uniform?

| May 26, 2021

The post total was a comment sent in by ChipNASA, who saw the post in a Facebook group known as “Stolen Valor Exposed!” Unfortunately the group is private and as some witty Jewish fella once said, “I wouldn’t want to belong to a club that would have me as a member.”

That message itself isn’t what caught Chip’s attention, it was a thoughtful and heartfelt response. We’ve talked to the poster and she’s agreed to share her message with our group. She’s also been invited to join our rag-tag band of ne’er-do-wells.

I’ll let Kristy do the talking with her reply to the question asked in the title;

Taking credit for heroism you did not actually carry out is despicable. Honor is not just a word or an idea, it is an act. Honor is a verb. The honor of our founding fathers, the honor they swore upon and fought for, has become almost entirely a thing of the past. Honor is not something you sit around and talk about, it’s something you do.

Perhaps that is why our nation’s military is such a fantastic place for men – and women – of honor to flourish. Integrity is defined as the “quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.” It goes hand-in-hand with honor because one facet of being an honorable person that seems to escape many is the willingness to deal with the consequences of one’s actions whether good or bad.

The “stolen” in stolen valor is there for a rather obvious reason: when you commit this act, you’re taking something that is not yours. Maybe those who do this don’t see it as taking something since there isn’t anything physical being taken; valor is, after all, not a physical or tangible thing, it is a very particular character trait. Men for whom it is not just an act but a choice, a way of life. Those who would steal such a precious trait aren’t just dirt or lower than dirt, and while they themselves are not worth our time, the men whose valor they take are most certainly worth the expenditure of however much time is needed.

Perhaps it’s time for a little lesson in what valor really is. By its strict definition, valor is “boldness or determination in facing great danger, especially in battle; heroic courage; bravery” but there’s a lot more to it than that. Yes, valor at its heart has to do with the almost absurd level of inner strength it takes to stare death in the face and laugh, or to willingly walk into harm’s way to save a fellow soldier. But true valor encompasses a great many traits including selflessness and a willingness to sacrifice. Those who would give their lives so that their brothers might live are a rare breed.

F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote “Show me a hero and I’ll write you a tragedy.” His words ring true in many ways; in this case it’s all too true our heroes frequently prove their mettle with a dying act of stunning courage. No wonder so many want to be them, wishing they, too possessed the internal fortitude to perform the ultimate act of bravery. Here’s the difference, though: those who pretend to have that inner strength are fakes on more than one level, because they not only lie about their service, they lie about their character. They wish for strength when they have none. They speak of brave acts when, in reality, they would most likely run the other way, tail between their legs, should the occasion arise where heroes were needed. They do not understand the sacrifice it takes to perform acts of valor, and they never will. Of course, admitting you’re wrong takes courage, and a man who would steal the valor of a true hero has no courage.

Couldn’t have said it better myself. We here were in the stolen valor business before the Supreme Court of the United States decided in United States v. Alvarez (2012) that wearing unearned honors is protected speech under the First Amendment. Nobody here likes it, but we abide the decision.

Technically, “stolen valor” pursuant to the law requires some benefit to the person claiming the unearned honors. We have seen countless cases where even people who “aren’t receiving anything” from their lies in fact are. We therefore use the broader term, as eloquently put to digital paper by Kristy, because when you claim service and awards you didn’t put the blood, sweat, and tears into earning, then you’re stealing the honor and valor of those who put the effort in.

I’ll let Kristy introduce herself if she’s feeling brave enough. I’d warn you guys to play nice, but I feel like she can handle herself.

Category: Guest Post, Stolen Valor

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26Limabeans

Welcome aboard Kristy.
Pull up a chair.
Set a spell.

Tallywhagger

Senator Blumenthal could use a copy of Kristy’s thoughtful essay.

David

Along with about 534 others.

STSC(SW/SS)

Welcome to the show Kristy.

The people of Connecticut also have no honor as they keep sending this clown to Congress even though they know his lies.

KoB

Standing Ovation!!! Hear Hear!!! Applaud long and hard!

I do believe I have fallen in love. For shore liked the use of the word Despicable. My feelings and favorite adjective to describe stolen valor creeps, particularly the ones that claim the Purple Heart. To me, nothing is a lower form of humanity than someone who is literally standing in the Blood and on the Bodies of those who were WIA or KIA in the Service of our Country. That’s why I make a motion EVERY.DAMN.TIME for the deployment of the vaunted HoI for ANY and EVERY dirtbag that makes the claim.

Welcome Home Kristy we’d be Honored to have you as another of our Adorable Deplorables. As the King of Battle, let me extend our Greetings and our hope that you will become part of the Greatest Band of miscreanted d’weeded ne’er do wells EVAH! Keep in mind,; I am THE person your Mother warned you about…lewd, crude, and socially unacceptable. Do you cook?

Play nice? Hurrump! I’ll be the FIRST (ht 2 Roh-Dog) to say it. Prolly would be nice to play. (ducks a thrown keyboard) 😛

President Elect Toxic Deplorable Racist SAH Neanderthal B Woodman Domestic Violent Extremist SuperStraight

Come on in. Set a spell. Cigars and whisky are on the sideboard.

ChipNASA

I’ll give her a gentle poke (HEY YOU GUYS!!! STOP THAT!!! IDC SARC STOP FORMING A LINE BEHIND KOB!!!! DAMN YOU GUYS!!!!) and let her know her loving essay, particularly poignant this week, before the holiday, has been posted.
Ladies, I do believe, you have added a new lioness to the pack.
Welcome Home Kristy.

Only Army Mom

Kristy-
welcome to the clubhouse of obnoxious, curmudgeonly, deplorable miscreants. I’d say their bark is worse than their bite but that’s not strictly true…if one messes with their highly developed, honorably earned sense of valor. Or, if one is foolish enough to mess with other members, visitors and invited guests of their clubhouse.

For all their big talk, particularly where the female form is concerned, I’ve never felt more safe, protected and comfortable. Just think of a few like perpetual 12 year olds whose hormones still occasionally rule their brains, who will address you as Ma’am and remove the tongues (and various other extremities) of any who intentionally disrespect a female in their presence. In other words, a bunch of gents who know and live by the definition of valor you so eloquently penned.

As for the Lionesses as they refer to a few of us female-persuasion regulars here, we understand that being a true woman is not for sissies. We conduct ourselves as such, and welcome all our fellow real women. Sounds like you’ll fit right in Sister, welcome!

Kristy Mac

Hi everyone,
Thank you so much for allowing me to become part of this amazing family! It is truly an honor to be here.
Stolen valor is a big issue with me that I dont tolerate very well, very few know and understand just how much is gladly sacrificed when someone takes that oath of service.
I’m a call it how I see it kind of girl with a pinch of smart ass finesse.
Much love to all of you

Ps. To KoB, I think you may have met your match because I am the girl your Mama warned you about, so let’s see what ya got! 🙂 Yes, I cook, but are you going to help? No room for slackers around here good sir

Name edited to protect PII.
AW1

AW1Ed

First of all, Welcome Aboard, Kristy. Now who am I and why did I deface your name on your comment? A quick read about the site can be found on the TAH FNG tab at the top of the page. Not knowing your background or sensitivity level I’ll not state exactly what those mean, and just say it’s worth the time to give it a read.
As to your name, PII is Personal Identification Information. Due to the nature of the site it’s best to use a nom de plume for your protection here. There are some very nasty people out there who really dislike being called out as a Valor Thief, and will go to pretty extreme measures to cause members here grief; frivolous lawsuits, doxxing, and stalking to name a few.
As your friendly site Admin, among some other things, I try to protect our new commenters and change posted names to something non-specific. Since this takes time and effort I can get pretty creative here, especially for repeat offenders. You, for example, came very close to “Chili Mac” a term every sailor is familiar with, but this your first at bat so I was merciful. *grin*

So again welcome aboard, and don’t feel obligated to use the name I gave, just don’t make it easy for those who wish us ill.

Claw

“Chili Mac” – Although it may be Number 10 on the MRE Menu list (since its introduction in 1995), it has been and still is “Numba 1” in the hearts of GI’s everywhere./s

The Stranger

Hey! I actually like the Chili Mac. It’s that tuna MRE that I can’t stand. Seriously, what idiot thought that TORTILLAS were a good accompaniment to tuna?

Eric (the OC Tanker)

The chilli mac T rats and or chilli and rice(parboiled) many a gassy radio watch from the TC’s hatch of a M60A3 and M1A1

KoB

Met my match? Honey Hush, I shorely do hope so. In a world full of copies, I am the original. I normally use a Zippo, but whatever lights your gas stove, I’m your boy. I’ll show you my cast iron cookware if you’ll show me yours. I don’t usually wear slacks, but am like a good used Ford F-150, dependable and I clean up real good. Have grown older, but I refuse to grow up.

Helping in the kitchen and how to put edibles on the table? Started learning them skilz waaaaay back yonder from 3 of the best Southern Cooks the world evah saw. Mama and Grandmamas. Was also taught what the proper position to leave a toilet seat in is.

A cookie in each hand is a balanced diet and on the 8th Day, God created bacon.

The Stranger

Settle down, Junior. 🤣

Jeff LPH 3, 63-66 A Gang Snipe

Now hear this, Now hear this, 12 Side boys on deck to pipe Kristy aboard.

Sparks

Here Here!!! Thank you Kristy and welcome.

SFC D

Welcome home, Kristy! We’re a fun bunch, and yes, sometimes we’re all still 12 years old. Mom’s description is spot on, we do know when to behave although we’re sometimes slow to do it. I’ve never encountered a better band of miscreants, curmudgeons, old cranks, old farts, smartasses, wiseasses, and generally good people anywhere.

Eggs

I thought we was dickweeds

SFC D

Sumbitch. I left that out. my apologies, dickweeds!

MarineDad61

Join Request sent.
🙂
Stolen Valor Exposed!
Private group
1.5K members
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1521378714556767

MarineDad61

Your (my) membership is pending
You’ll (I’ll) be notified if your (my) request to join is approved.

Veritas Omnia Vincit

Well that was an eloquent, well written piece of heartfelt commentary.

Those who have never seen the men in uniform pull up to the house to tell crying family members their loved one is coming home in a flag draped coffin have no real idea the level of sacrifice that some families make on behalf of an often ungrateful nation.

The more we shine a lot on those “despicable” miscreants the more we perhaps enlighten the 99% of non-serving Americans as to the true cost of Stolen Valor, as many here know all too well that the lies about military service are often only the tip of the iceberg in a lifetime of lies and crimes large and small.

Thank you for such a great reply and offering your thoughts up for review, welcome to the blog. May we all live to that high standard of writing.

HMCS(FMF) ret

Well done, Kristy… and welcome aboard TAH!

Berliner

Welcome to the party! Party favors optional.

The Stranger

Welcome to TAH, and an auspicious introduction, I might add. You’ll get a few good chuckles around here, we’re a pretty rambunctious bunch. Keep a mindful eye out for that son of mine, the “King of Battle”. I sometimes despair of him!🤣

Signed,
Pappy, The Engineer
Father of the Artillery and Signal
Grandfather of Aviation

Steve

Great essay – very much appreciated.

Commissioner Wretched

Welcome to the TAH fold, Kristy! Your words ring true, and you are indeed quite a writer! (As the author of the resident weekly trivia column, I know a writer when I see one.)

You’re in and among good people here, Kristy. Glad to have you with us.

NHSparky

Couldn’t have said it better myself, Kristy. Welcome.