WHY I HATE THOSE WHO STEAL VALOR
I’m on X (Twitter) – there’s a lot of good things as well as bad things there. One thing I came across today was a rather lively dragging of a guy who stole valor – claiming he served in the military when he did not. After thinking about it for a bit I posted the following and think it is important enough to post here:
I thought I’d tell you why I hate those who steal valor from those who earned it. Most of us Vets are not heroes, and we’ll tell you we’re not. But most of us served with heroes. Some of us got shot at once or twice, many of us never, and a few of us a lot. But we all put on our boots and did what we had to do.
During the time we served, we drank with friends, knew their wives, played with their kids, broke bread with their families, and then honored all too many of them as they were laid to rest far too early in life. Some died in combat, others in training accidents and aircraft mishaps, but they all died for this nation.
We also know some who were wounded or injured so bad that they lost parts of their body or suffer from severe PTSD. Many of us sat and cried with their wives and children. Try explaining to a child why their dad took his own life. You, or at least I can’t find those magical words.
Some of us served a few years, others served many – but we all served. We are proud of that service, cherish the friendships we made, remember those who had our backs, and those whose backs we had. We share our good times and bad with those close to us, and most importantly remember and honor our fallen.
These are all things we earned – good and bad – by serving and they belong to us, and us alone.
Most of us Vets don’t ask for much, and demand even less. But one thing we do demand is that those who have not served do not disrespect us by stealing our stuff.
Just my opinion, I do not pretend to speak for all Vets.