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How important is it when someone makes a false claim of military service?

 

 

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McDonald should be fired. Like most people in Washington, the only thing they know what to do is lie to the people of this great country. Show me just one person in D.C. who doesn't put themselves first and everything else second.

Submitted by Schreiber (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 1:27pm

110% correct.
Our leaders in DC or NY State for that matter will LIE their As's off to get ahead. They believe we are all stupid.

Submitted by Robert 7777 (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 5:02pm

yet everyday we accept new members who lie about their service and are never found out until they attempt to transfer. Go figure $$

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) : Feb 27, 2015 9:26pm

If he wants to be in the service so bad, court marshall the fool...

Submitted by jo (not verified) : Mar 6, 2015 9:06pm

Not any worse then making honest

claims and being ignored by the
VA

Submitted by alfrabar1 : Feb 26, 2015 1:31pm

How can you restore confidence in the VA when the head of it lies? The reason we have a new department head is because people had lost confidence in the VA when we found out that a lot of the managers were lying to keep their cushy job? My vote (not that it counts) is that he should be fired. The problem with that is the fact that the person who does the firing has lied more to us than the VA administrator. There are NO honest people in Washington any more.

Submitted by Reb 1 (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 1:42pm

What happended to honesty and integrity?
My opinion is that if someone is not honest in one area, how can we trust they will be honest in other areas? The only thing we can trust with McDonald is that he lied this time, surely lied to the public about something in the past, and will probably lie to us again in the future.
McDonald does not honor those he serves.

Submitted by D & B (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 1:48pm

There is no such thing as a momentary gaffe regarding your military service. You never forget, unless you are suffering from alzheimers or another form of dimentia.

Submitted by Michael B. (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 1:49pm

We first must separate two types of false claims. If one drunk barfly tells his drinking buddy that he helped raise the flag on Iwo Jima. That is no big deal; just rambling BS. If, however, someone makes a false public claim to gain a personal benefit (e.g., election, promotion, community recognition or even personal ego), that person should be punished. It should be either a civil or criminal offence.

Submitted by Loyd Hardesty C... (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 1:56pm

Agree. CDR Hardesty makes a fine but eminently reasonable point.

Submitted by Robert I Finkel... (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 5:28pm

Concur. Seems a question of intent - there is a difference between 'one upsmanship BS, and intentional gain but it is truly a very fine line.

Submitted by Richard Wold, L... (not verified) : Feb 27, 2015 11:33pm

I had a situation a few years where we were going honor a veteran for his alleged heroism in Vietnam service. He claimed he was awarded a Silver Star, 3 Bronze Stars, 4 Purple Hearts and was field promoted to Major, all with-in 14 months of military time. I ran a check to verify before embarrassing the club. Guess what we found. All of the medals were legitimate. He was however field promoted to Staff Sargent. Why he felt Major was better than Staff Sargent I'll never know.(lol) We did follow through with honoring him for his service though.

Submitted by YN1 R.Tshirhart... (not verified) : Feb 27, 2015 3:45pm

Stolen valor is 'STOLEN VALOR' and should be treated as such. If the 'claim' was to 'gain' anything, then the 'thief' should be punished. Semper fi, Honor, Courage and Commitment.

Submitted by DJ Lewis (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 2:33pm

If you didn't earn it, don't wear it.

Submitted by Howard Strobel (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 2:59pm

Bingo! You nailed it!

Submitted by Neg (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 3:11pm

he is one sorry bastard...should be removed from va head...nothing but a damn lair just like the other piles of shit in Washington dc...these scum bags make you wonder was your service to your country really worth the sacrifices you made....

Submitted by eddie honts (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 3:15pm

Don't wonder Eddie. We had a blast while serving, saw places we wouldn't even think of visiting (I'm sure), let them scum bags do what they do in DC but, DON'T wonder if yours/our service was worth the sacrifices we've made......It was WELL worth it, to hell with them bums in DC....

Submitted by Jay Cee William... (not verified) : Feb 27, 2015 2:11pm

This issue does not go nearly far enough!! ANYONE who misrepresents his/her service should be prosecuted, end of story. From fake diplomas to get promoted, to making a statement of false fact, is a dishonor to those of us who have been there & done that. Someone needs to grow a pair and initiate a sound policy. Where is NCIS/CID/CGIS and the rest of them, no balls from the top is the problem & I mean the top.

Submitted by Sean LeBoeuf (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 3:23pm

Military service is an honor. To lie about military service is a disgrace. Men and women like to puff up their resumes. If you lie on your resume and get caught, you will be fired. The reason your are fired is because you cannot be trusted.

I trust my military buddies with my life. I don't trust proven liars.

Submitted by Derwith Carlson (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 3:50pm

I WAS IN VIETNAM FOR OVER 14 MONTHS 66&67. I CANNOT COUNT HOW MANY VIETNAM VETERANS I MET OVER THE YEARS WHO WAS NEVER OUT OF THE USA AND MANY MORE WHOM NEVER BEEN IN THE MILITARY. ASK ANY NAM VET HE CAN TELL IN MINUTES IF YOU ARE THE REAL DEAL OR ANOTHER WANTABE. MANY MORE WANTABE'S THEN ACTUAL NAM VETS.

Submitted by Don A (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 4:21pm

One of our past National Commanders posed as a Vietnam Veteran even though he spent his entire service on the East Coast within driving distance of his hometown.

Submitted by j4aweasel (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 4:59pm

You nailed it brother.

Submitted by USMC Viet-Nam (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 5:59pm

He made an offhand comment to someone he met, not at a press conference and he gained nothing by making the remark. He erred but should not be removed because of the remark. He has a big job to do and should be allowed an opportunity to do it. If he fails, then he should be removed.

Submitted by Rich Bensinger (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 4:23pm

A lie is a lie. When someone lies to me, I can't trust anything else they say. Politicians and anyone reporting news should be held to a higher standard and they should be accountable. (Like Hilary dodging gunfire)

Submitted by SGT MOORE (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 5:00pm

How about Bill O'Reilly he repeated the same old falsehoods over and over. There is a very long list of people who misspoke about this it is unfair to just to point out one comment Hilary Clinton. Many times the Military has not been truthful Jessica Lynch, Pat Tillman and Chris Kiel stories were inaccurate in many ways.

Submitted by Doug Kigar (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 5:45pm

Anyone can make a mistake with their words. People who habitually misrepresent themselves should be held out for public ridicule and it they are trying to receive a unearned benefit they should be penalized. McDonald is trying to to do a good job he is a very honest man.

Submitted by Doug Kigar (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 5:13pm

If the Secretary had never served but made the claim, then dump on him. But he did serve. So he exaggerated his service in a spur-of-the-moment encounter. Big deal. He didn't have to accept the VA nomination, and God knows it has brought grief to almost everybody who took the challenge. I'm exposed to serious lies every day on TV, in advertising. political posters, on the radio, on the Internet, etc. Life is too short to get enraged about this pretty innocent incident. And how about some of the "fibs" a few of you were told by recruiters to get your signature? I sometimes dodge uncomfortable situations with a "white lie" -- and I defy all of you guys, who are ready to hang McDonald, to claim you never did the same.

Submitted by Richard Hofacker (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 5:25pm

You can not misrepresent or lie in any position. It is very simple - get rid of him. He is a disgrace to all that he is suppose to be serving. He doesn't lead by example.

Submitted by Waking Deam/1/9... (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 6:18pm

If a average Joe/Jane were to lie on their resume and after being hired the employer finds out they lied although they are an excellent employee is recognized by the state and federal courts being pro employer. I have worked on several different federal contracted jobs for the USDoD, USEPA, NRC/USDOE, Navy, NOAA and so-forth. If I miss a beat, regardless of my credentials, I'll taking a train home with my personal affects and materials in hand, if I didn't have my car. An appointed or elected employee aka official should have a higher standard or duty because 1. They usually have better fringe benefits/pay, and more authority to maneuver 2. They are also in a better position to be hired without missing a beat (networking) by those they often have oversight of. 3. Their ethical standard/code in their daily operations, as I alluded to "needs to be stella" i.e. silver if not gold.

Submitted by M.Collins (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 7:16pm

I'm a Vet, and I served where I was assigned or for which I had volunteered. Whether I have medals for valor, or otherwise, is immaterial.

The term 'Stolen Valor' is emotionally and viscerally evocative and, as such, can become a block to open dialogue.

Having said that, let me now say that I hold no brief for those who claim decorations and honors they do not merit. It must be said, however, that false claims, made for whatever reason, do not diminish the valor and honor of those who were rightfully recognized. It can only diminish the person making the claim when they are discovered, as they will be.

Submitted by Noah-44 (not verified) : Feb 26, 2015 9:03pm

Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle that fits them all.
---Oliver Wendell Holmes---

Submitted by CW3PLBRet : Feb 26, 2015 11:34pm

I can't claim to be a police officer, politician, EMT, Doctor, lawyer, etc., why should someone be allowed to claim service status they did not earn!!! I am a disabled vet, but I'm not even in the same ball park as most. I don't claim it because I know there are others who deserve it way more than I.

Submitted by GLKing (not verified) : Feb 27, 2015 8:24am

american legion does lie alot of people need to stop going to all american legion there crimnals scammers all american legion should close there doors

Submitted by lottery (not verified) : Jan 26, 2016 11:35pm

Isn't a lie still a lie? No matter the context or substance? If someone says they served in the military, regardless of branch or affiliation, and they HAVEN'T served at all or with the affiliation they claim, it's a LIE. Period. On that aspect alone, it's wrong. And it does devalue the service and sacrifice of those of us who do or have served. People have the right to say whatever they want, (thanks to our Constitution and the service and sacrifice of those current and past who defend(ed) it....) but that doesn't mean they should say it. It just demeans the value of the service of military members and their families and it's wrong.

Submitted by KSM (not verified) : Feb 28, 2015 9:36am

Unlike almost all of his predecessors, McDonald has the skills and experience to fix the problems at the VA. Most of the other "leaders" at the VA at both the local and national level are nothing more than poorly qualified bureaucrats getting paid back for political favors. McDonald deserves a chance to finish the good work he has started.

The really crazy thing is, McDonald wouldn't have to lie about his military service to gain the respect of his fellow vets. In spite of his Special Services gaffe, I would be delighted to welcome him at my local VFW or Legion post.

Submitted by Phoenix VN Vet (not verified) : Feb 28, 2015 8:17pm

Why is it that nobody has the backbone to stand up together and refuse to shut up until the 3/4 of our government officials, or how many of them it may be, are removed from our house, senate, pentagon, courts, governor mansions, town halls and every other office that they are spitting all over. If anyone can really honestly say that this is not treason, just follow the money, then we should be removed from the American Legion because that would mean that we have all sold our souls as well. I have been screaming this for 7 years and I have been treated like dirt because I am a true American patriot and not afraid to tell the truth. The whole world is watching and screaming for the American people who are closing their eyes to the right in the our faces, thousands of blatant acts of treason. Americans have nowhere to hide anymore and they are all going to have to make a huge decision very shortly before it is to late and they end up on the wrong side of history and reality, because at this point half of the American population has been diagnosed with having a mental illness called, pathological liars. I have been studying the field for 30 years and I have been saying that for seven years. It has become so bad that 3 youngest generation's all have some kind of personally disorder that is destroying theirs and the lives of the American people. We are only fooling ourselves if we believe that more than twenty five percent of our children are even able to compete in the world's workforce. Nobody wants them in their places of business because they have no idea how to even behave or interact with other people. I have been all over this world and I have heard and seen exactly what they are seeing and agree, America's youth are an embarrassment to everyone in the world and it brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it, because I know that it is true and I am no longer available to defend them. I will never give up on my country but it is getting very frustrating to watch so many Americans close their eyes and ears to this....I have made my decision forty years ago to never sell my soul and I refuse to start know when my country is on the ropes and starting to waver. I am going down with the ship know matter what these people say and do to me...I am an American patriot....I don't have any other choice, I am the son of a June 6th, 1944 2nd Ranger Battalion, Dog company that gave me what it takes to be a good person and a great American, I will not let what he did be spit on by these people that do not have a bit of respect for America....

Submitted by dyin_tryin (not verified) : Mar 2, 2015 8:53am

I have to apologize for the grammatical errors in my previous post, but I couldn't find my glasses....I will take responsibility for the mistakes that I made and not lie and blame other people for my errors like half of the country is doing everyday including most of our government from top to bottom....I am very open to having these discussions in public with anyone who is not afraid to stand up with me, whether we agree or disagree with each other, but we have to have these talks in the open....or nothing will stop the greed from destroying the American way of life.....

Submitted by dyin_tryi (not verified) : Mar 2, 2015 9:13am