I hope this guy catches all of these imposters and they get the fullest sentence. Hell, if it were my choice, I would give them life in prison or the death penalty; no sense in wasting more taxpayers dollars.

What a stupid law! This just shows that we have far too many laws in the States... at this rate EVERY BODY IS A CRIMINAL... or soon will be. If some fat old man wants to feel better about his pathetic life by spouting off about being a hero, let him - and get over it!

The LIFE IN PRISON or the DEATH PENALTY, NJ?! lol And do you KNOW how much taxpayer money it takes to sustain a prisoner in the system for life? It costs even more than that to keep them on death row...

Get a grip, man...

The LIFE IN PRISON or the DEATH PENALTY, NJ?! lol And do you KNOW how much taxpayer money it takes to sustain a prisoner in the system for life? It costs even more than that to keep them on death row...

Get a grip, man...

Death Penalty? Are you serious? You must be from Texas. It is a stupid law. I don't agree with what they're doing but shouldn't our FBI agents be working on stuff that is a little more important?

i dont feel it's a stupid law. The heroes that died, suffered, fought, and lived the true veteran's life should not be disrespected in this way. There is enough other bullcrap catering to criminals these days, why add another benefit for them?

These guys are pathetic. Just that. Sad; but not criminals.

Impersinating a hero? hope they start with the white house, and then the senate, congress etc. These Zeros think they are heros. I must say the ignorance in the government is incredible! Drug test these fools would be a giood idea too! including the DC Police.

Start with Chicken Hawk GW, the biggest zero that thinks he is a hero!

I have a better idea. Take these worthless individuals to Parris Island and have them spend 4 months going through Boot Camp. If they want to wear a Marines uniform. give them the chance or send them to jail.

I've earned a few of those striped things, but won't wear them.

I'm a VietNam vet, our time is passed. We are irrelevant, like WWI vets were in my youth.

Time now to honor our young soldiers, sailors, airmen. Yes, I honor and respect all those who have given their life, I honor and respect all those who have earned our highest awards and decorations.

MOST of us vets just did what we were told, went where they wanted us to go, and tried to make it home.

I'm a vet, you can't ever claim I'm not. I claim nothing more.

Ask the men and women of our country who served if the law is STUPID? I served in the US Navy for 8 years. I'm proud of my service and it is dishearting to see these people who've never served or never earned these awards say they did. A strong message should be sent to these impostors. I know. Make these impostors elist, go to boot camp and instead of going to jail learn what it's really like to earn those medals, ribbons, and stripes on their uniforms by serving our country just like the men and women before them.

What a disgrace! My son is a marine who has just returned from Iraq and is scheduled to return there shortly. The fact that you have people posing as war hero's when the real hero's are fighting and dying everyday in a war no one wants is disgusting. Maybe we should send them to some war torn area and see if they can earn those medals

Sorry, I was referring to the death penalty above abotu saving tax payers money. a 1.00 bullet is all that is needed :O)

I feel embarrassed for them. They obviously have some sort of strange fixation for getting credit for something they have not attained. I totally understand being punished for that.

In no way and in no uncertain terms is it EVER acceptable to pass oneself off as decorated soldier or veteran. After viewing Tim's comments, I think Tim and people like him need to asses their own personal integrity before commenting. Medals earned by soldiers and veterans through sheer bravery, valor, honor and blood should never be allowed to be devalued by frauds and charlatans for the sake of their own personal satisfaction and public adoration. Too often these days are we ready to sacrifice our own honesty, integrity and morality so as to "let little things pass". Draw the line.

NJ..life in prison or the death penalty? The guys who do this need medical help and intense therapy. Can you imagine how much of a failure these guys must be? These tools couldn't get a date with a prostitute even after winning the lottery, but life in prison or the death penalty? Perhaps NJ you need some anger management therapy. Peace to all.

This is about more than the pins people stick on their uniforms. It's about the deeds behind them, and the respect people accord them with a result. The thought that these frauds would require the salutes of brave men and women who have made real sacrifices is completely disgusting. Shame on them.

I'm a vet and I just feel sorry for these poor slobs. I think their punisment should be to work at Walter Reed or Bethesda cleaning the bed pans of real heros.

Mark, No I am perfectly fine, thanks for asking. If you open your eyes and look around, you see these types of people and others getting slaps on the wrist. It's everywhere and down right sickening. I'm sure there will be plea bargins here and there for these folks, but that's how society is these days. Too much leniancy and not enough guts.there is so much more crime these days in the US because of lack of intimidation. steal something, lose a hand. murder or rape, lose your life. could be deemed somewhat barbariac, but it would give criminals something a little more to fear.

Well, there are laws say that a person can't impersonate a police officer, so it should be the same regarding military personnel. It's one thing to dress up for Halloween, it's another to dress up and trick people to think you're an actual military person. So, I say they're doing the right thing to stop these phonies.

mark, I am fine, thanks for asking :)
just M.O. here, but laws are too leniant these days. crimes are rising, jails getting overfilled, more taxpayers money wasted on these scumbags. maybe the laws should be more intimidating and carry more fear. Like if you murder or rape, you lose your life; you steal you lose a hand. Could be deemed somewhat barbariac, but it could also make a person think twice before he/she commits a crime. to a criminal, there should be no such thing as cruel and unusual punishment. take that loser who beat up the 70 year old vet just because. let that POS get placed in a room with one of the family members of the vet with a hand axe. he already doesnt deserve to live anyways(offtopic)

Proposed: NEW PROGRAM FOR FAKE HERO/HERO WANNABEES
Each imposter should be arrested by the FBI. Then provide them with a current Battle Dress Uniform, give them a BB gun, a copy of ARABIC MADE EASY, a 1 year supply of MREs,a pair of Groucho glasses with nose, then fly them to Iraq and drop them off alone to guard a street corner ... a minimum of 25 miles from the nearest US Military operations area. If they survive a year on their own, great! If they do, then they might get a "I survived" medal to brag about. If not, oh well...

Paul, that made me LOL..good idea too. I'd vote for it :)

NJ: Wouldn't being more strict just make jails fill even faster? Maybe we should just do what you're suggesting. There are plenty of great models for your justice system in the Middle East. We could just copy Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, or Afphganistan before the Taliban fell. Those are all excellent models to choose from. I'm not saying these guys shouldn't go to jail, but to say someone should have their hand chopped off is outrageous. I hope you have never committed any sort of crime in your life or made a bad decision.

Heath:
An alternative as stated above a few times would be to ship criminals off overseas to do very hard labor, that way they aren't in jail sitting there.For example, send them to Africa or some place to help build homes and water, sewerage systems; work that is extremely hard labor but also has positive outcomes.

The wearing of Military honors by those not entitled to them is despicable and wrong, and should be punished to the highest degree available to law enforcement. This behavior is an affront to the men and women who served their country and EARNED those awards. I have dressed at halloween as an airmen, but have taken great pains to never display medals or ribbons, and have always made sure that while the costume was fairly authentic, I DID NOT, even on that day claim to really be a colonel or major, etc. Moreover, it was not done to defraud people and to gain jobs, benefits, or money from the recognition, but to honor the armed forces in special Halloween service persons events. Impersonating an officer is especially defrauding when the person is an ex-military individual and knows quite well the military code of conduct and regulations on insignia.

And for Eoghan, I am especially saddened to hear that you consider yourself 'irrelevant', since that is wholly untrue. This weekend, especially, your sacrifice and those of your comrades back to the Revolutionary War needs to be remembered vividly and clearly, since it is a reflection of the cost of freedom. Jefferson said "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the Blood of Patriots and tyrants", we shall dismiss the tyrants and utterly forget them, but I will grieve the Patriots, and the cost exacted from each and every one and mourn the payments we have made.

For those who take this too lightly: I guess I should lie about my military honors and ranking, just so I can get a better job, privileged benefits, and the like over 'non-military participated' folk. In addition, I guess it's ok for me to lie to the younger, gullible youth about what I did as a war hero, going against what true history states. I guess you boneheads would lie about your high GPA and making Magna Cum Lada, being CFO of some big-time bank industry, yada yada yada. There are just some people in this world who are as ignorant as those lousy wannabe singers on American Idol and yet, they buy into your pack of lies.

I understand that this is wrong, but doesn't the FBI have better things to do than chase imposters? A waste of Taxpayers monies....

We earned the metals that we were AWARDED. Any one who want to wear them can certainly apply to the service of your choice and see if you can fullfill all the entrance requirements. Then if they have the cahones to be able to survive and take orders without question and serve and maybe even die for our Wonderful Country, they too can wear those ribbons awarded to them. Until then, the COWARDS should be tried convicted and allowed to meet the United States Marines that Control Levenworth! Then we will see what kind of metal they are made of.

Question for you NJ, did you ever serve or are you making rants on stuff that doesn't concern you? If it's the latter then you are just as big of a posser as these guys.

Don't let yourselves be fooled into calling these imposters "poor slobs" or think that they only have a "fixation" on receiving accolades for things they did not do. They do this for the perks.

Have you ever seen a stranger anonymously pick up a restaurant tab for a soldier in uniform? I have...it was heart-warming. I happened to be dining with that soldier. He returned from the restroom and became embarrassed when I told him what had happened. He said he didn't deserve that because he had not yet served in Iraq or any other battle field. I told him that he deserved it for being in uniform and willing to go when his time did come up. This is just one example of the kindness that some civilians offer to soldiers.

These imposters are in this game for the perks. That is called "gain by defrauding" and it is a felony offense. Since they are defrauding by using government materials, it becomes a federal offense. They deserve any jail-time or penalty that any other fraudulent criminal receives.

There are far too many Americans being criminalized by absurd laws which will ruin their lives forever, because now they are unemployable convicted felons, and have an arrest record. The silly USA military medals are not even made of precious metals such as silver and gold, and the USA need to stop giving out "Junk metal," medals to our brave USA soldiers. If somebody wants to pretend that they have been in the Army, "So what," it should be a compliment, considering how many young Americans have gotten killed in four un-declared wars, Korean War, Vietnam War, 1st Gulf War,(125,000) and now the barbaric current Iraqi war which has seen 4,000 USA soldiers killed, and at least 25 American soldiers have been tortured, casterated, burned, and then slowly beheaded with a dull, rusty knife. So the FBI should spend their time investigating Hallibruton's sinful practices, instead of arresting harmless American citizens who love the military. Hell let's stop having all the big Halloween parties if it's against the law to pretend to be somebody that you are not!

I am a civilian, working for the military, and believe it is a disgrace when an undeserved person wears the uniform or medals. However shameful it is, the only crime should be if they use it for personal or financial gain. If they are delusional they need mental help, not jail time.

SILLY USA MILITARY MEDALS!?!?

RedMoons....you are beyond words. At least beyond words permitted in this blog. You don't deserve the freedoms those "silly medals" have given you. You are a ....oh....I just can't say it because I'll get reported.

They say that imitation is the greatest form of flattery. I have a friend that always wishes he had become a Marine. I was a Marine for 8 years. He walks around and does the ooh-rah stuff and talks about "his beloved Marine Corps". Part of me is flattered because I know he admires me, but then another part of me is sad that he tries to grasp onto something he is not. He is not however a criminal.

I may be an only child, but I have millions of brothers and sisters. I live close to Arlington and amongst the rows of white stones, I see parent's, spouses and comrades mourning heroes who no longer have a voice. These people however have us to protect their legacy and honor their sacrifice.

Being an admiring, misguided and delusional soul is not a crime. Stealing an award and a hallowed honor is a crime.

technopeasant....please read my post that went up just prior to the idiot's that called them silly medals. Most of the people that do this are in it for gain and profit. I will agree with you that if they don't quite have a full basket, then they need help, not jail time.

These individuals who claim to be military heroes when they not apparently crave the attention and limelight to fill up their sad and pathetic lives. I feel this is a disgrace to those in our armed forces who gave their all in the defense of this great country including their very lives. To me the sentences they have received for this outrageous afront to the true military heroes has not been adequate enough. I am glad our FBI and any other law enfocement involved in these apprehensions of these individuals continue for as long as it takes.

GOD BLESS THE MEN AND WOMEN IN OUR ARMED FORCES EVERYWHERE!

I spent twelve years active duty and fourteen yeras in the reserves and I am humbled by the sacrifices these young men and women make every day.

These imposters don't need jail time. They need to be publicaly shamed in front of their families, parents, friends and co-workers.

I think anyone who has put on a military uniform... been scared, alone, hurt, captured... would never want to wish pain on a fellow American for dreaming about being "a hero". Didn't we serve so that others could enjoy these eccentricities? If not, what did we fight for in the first place?

One other comment. When you see any serviceman or woman, especially if they appear to be very young, please make sure they don't happen to be wearing an JROTC uniform. They are the same dress uniforms the servicemen/women wear and the medals and ribbons those kids earn are quite impressive.

My son just finished 4 years of NJROTC. He was on his way to a community-service project, in full dress blues. The 5 rows of ribbons and the medals he earned filled up most of his jacket breast. We had to make a stop at a store and he became quite embarrassed when a WWII vet commented that he didn't earn that many medals during the war. My son was very quick to tell him that they were ROTC medals and said they didn't hold near the importance that service medals hold. Although he was proud to wear his NJROTC uniform, he was bashful regarding the attention his ribbons drew.

So...just as a precaution, check to see if there is an ROTC patch on the sleeve.

Pathetic creatures? Having dealt with far too many such cases, I can tell you all too often the "impersonation" goes far beyond an into more serious crime. Like the fake SEAL in Florida who swindled a widow out of more than $40,000, or the girl in North Carolina who used her own false claims of serving in the Air Force while pursuing her education who obtained more tha $40,000 in waived fees and tuitions in "honor of her service."
One of the phonies who was to have been arrested last week in Arvada, Colorado, was a man who phonied up discharge papers and a Navy Cross citation to portray himself as a World War II hero. He will escape prosecution under the "Stolen Valor Act", for just weeks before the FBI moved in to contact him on his charade, Raymond Sawyer confessed to murdering his first wife 26 years ago.
Far too much of this is a cover for, or excuse for, much more serious criminal activity. These are not "poor slobs", they are CRIMINALS, and I'm glad there is a new law out there to deal with them.

I find I must agree with Shawn: Those of us who served in VietNam forty years ago ARE irrelevant to most of those around us. We were reviled rather than honored for our service; coming home was often more traumatic than remaining in-country. However, that is beside the point here. The persons who put on medals and awards that many of my friends died earning are not pathetic losers looking for some recognition; they are not mental cases in need of treatment. They are criminals perpetrating a fraud, and they are doing it for their own gain. From the ones that I have dealt with, and the accounts in Navy Times (and other sources) every one of these bastards is getting material gain from their fraud. If that gain reaches the level where jail time is appropriate, they should go to jail. But, jail or no jail, they should all be loudly and very publicly ridiculed for what they have done. Their phony acts do indeed cheapen the medals worn by people who sacrificed sweat, blood (and more) to actually earn them.

I am a Vietnam veteran. Served 7 years (reenlisted after 3 years) in the Air Force. I know what I earned and I don't care what those losers do or what they claim. When I go before god, he will know what I and other veterans did and what honors we deserve. The others will be a might bit warm were they will end up for their lies.

Add W to the list of fake war heros with him in the flight suit in front of a 'mission accomplished' sign. He's the real fakir to go after!

I have a hard time finding a problem with prosecuting impostor veterans. It's against the law to impersonate police or law enforcement agents. It's even against the law to impersonate the Cable Guy in most states. So, as to whether or not the FBI needs to investigate 'more important things' seems moot to me. If it's a Federal criminal offense it falls under their umbrella, period. I'll sleep fine tonight, and so should you.

First the couple of you who had to bring Bush into this, get over your pathetic, liberal, whiny lives. This has NOTHING to do wiht him.

And for those of you who never served and want to call the medals pathetic, worthless, silly, etc. Get the H*** out of my country. We didn't put our lives out there to protect the freedom of people who want to spit on us, put us down, or just just not like us.

Don't bite the hand that feeds (or protects) you.

maverick you said it all!!!!

I agree with Mike Jones. Send them to boot camp for a few months! That should do the trick. Or send them to Iraq, pathetic losers!

whats the crime? spent many years in the marine corps air wing up to mid 70 s, had a few medals highest a few air medals as huey door gunner. those medals were used in military to exhibit ones history to fellow military not impress civilians. your petty he dont deserve that medal is childish just like his wearing it. he knows he is a poser so what...

I am from a long line of military service. First let me thank all of you who have truly served this great country. I am not in the military but everybody else in my family is... parents, sister, brothers, uncle, cousin.

People dressing up like military heores is a fraud. We do get benefits for the service members' efforts to protect and defend this country. For an undeserving person to take advantage of that truly disgusts me beyond all belief. These people should be thrown into the battlefield like so many others have said. Service is about so much more than the common civillian can understand. It is about a pride for this country. It is about bravery. It is about serving the public. It is about being part of something so much bigger than ones' self. It is about HUMILTY. (something that gives away an imposter immediately) All of the service members I know don't flaunt it, they rarely talk about it with random people. They talk about it with their troops, friends and family. Anything else is pretty much a fraud. Oh, and I think we could all stand to take a page from these vets. Especially the one who said he was from vietnam... HE, ladies and gents, is a true HERO. He showed humilty by simply stating his frame of reference and then saying that today is about the people serving now. All of our vets are important, from any era, and should be shown respect. Hoewever, today's heros are being made as we speak in Iraq, Afghanistan, and many other instillations. this vietnam vet is a heor, HE is my hero, all of our soldiers are. And as for those of you who say its not a big deal, dedicate your life to something and then watch it be disrespected in such a terrible way.

Lets not forget, many if not most medals are B.S. Remember John Kerry. He wrote up his own purple hearts for scratches. He got a bogus Silver Star. When I was in the Navy, I saw people earn Navy Achievment medals for organizing picnics (I'm not kidding). Most medals given these days are given to ass kissers. Even the medal of honor has been abused. Douglas Mcarthur ran away from combat, leaving his men to die, and he got one.

The bigger fraud is the billions of dollars given out by the VA for false PTSD claims. I'd rather have that taken care of than worry about some loser wearing a piece of cloth on his shirt.

My medals are somewhere in the attic. Maybe I should frame them one day...on the other hand I don't really want to look at them everyday either. I don't feel the need to show off. On the other hand some people are lonely, depressed, or have low self esteem and I guess want to feel needed and important. While I don't agree with passing yourself off as a veteran or wearing medals you did not earn it or passing yourself off as somebody you are not it doesn't really bother me. I have more important things going on in life. Even if it did bother me, some of the replys on here such as the death penalty and life imprisionment are ludacris. Just seize the medals and uniforms from the person, have them publicly acknowledge they are not a veteran and didn't earn such and such medal and get over it. Death penalty, life imprisionment, chopping off hands for something so insignificant...that's as bad as the Islamic militants we are fighting.

"for those who fight for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know" Having an imposter getting respect by wearing medals he or she did not earn is a big deal. At the very least these sad individuals should be awarded what they've earned "public ridicule". Shame on them.

One way to solve this issue is to make it mandatory that any and all imposters who are caught must spend at least 3 years in the military and be sent to where they just might actually earn a medal or two. Even if they are two fat or unfit for duty, they can serve in a military hospital cleaning out bedpans or otherwise caring for those who deserve to be called hero...

My father is a 21 year veteran of the United States Air Force retiring as a Master Sargent, and this is after serving a tour in Thailand during the Vietnam war. Its appalling these people would impersonate themselves as veterans, these people are not looking to feel better for themselves, they are liars, opportunists, scum. They should be served with hefty fines and community service such as collecting trash on the side of the road. Prison is already overfilled with all the other trash in the world.

I like the idea of punishing imposters with required enlistment. They want it, give them a taste! These medals MEAN something--and not just to the soldiers; It means something to their families! Military life is hard work, and these medals are a sign of wonderful and outstanding service! The government is giving physical recognition of a good soldier to themselves, their family, and everyone who looks at them. For someone to falsely adorn any medal takes that away from what the real soldier did.

Having served honorably on active duty in the US Army for 6 1/2 years and having had combat tours in Panama and in the Gulf War, and having earned my fair share of 35 cent ribbons, I know what they are for. Bronze Star, ARCOM, AAM - heck half the folks on active duty can't recognize most of them, let alone people who have never served. I never did what I did for 35 cent ribbons or bragging rights. I did it because I volunteered to serve my country. These sad wannabees are looking for attention, and while pathetic for never having done what they claimed certainly don't need jailed. The public humiliation is enough.

I HOPE the FBI catches some of these poor excuses...

I read some of the off comments, those are the folks who fail to "comprehend" what honor is.. potential wannabe's?

Thanks for the article

Wannabe Slayers
http://www.want2be.info

whats the crime? spent many years in the marine corps air wing up to mid 70 s, had a few medals highest a few air medals as huey door gunner. those medals were used in military to exhibit ones history to fellow military not impress civilians. your petty he dont deserve that medal is childish just like his wearing it. he knows he is a poser so what... so you want to enlist these posers in the military? navy? air force? G W BUSH

Keith,

I think that is perfect! If someone is caught bogusly representing themselves as a war veteran, require them to go though Basic, AIT, and serve somewhere in combat. I think that the fear of that happening to them, would scare the defication out of those cowards enough, that they would stop committing fraud against the true veterans that deserve our respect.

But yes the life long imprisonment thing wouldn't work, it would just raise the taxes for the rest of us.

God bless the 1544th Transportation Company, and all of the dedicated individuals who stand up for our wonderful country!

whats the crime? spent many years in the marine corps air wing up to mid 70 s, had a few medals highest a few air medals as huey door gunner. those medals were used in military to exhibit ones history to fellow military not impress civilians. your petty he dont deserve that medal is childish just like his wearing it. he knows he is a poser so what... so you want to enlist these posers in the military? navy? air force? G W BUSH is a poser to!!!!!!

On May 16th, 1996 Admiral Jeremy Michael Boorda, CNO (Chief of Naval Operations) committed suicide because he had worn a "V" for Valor on his Vietnam ribbons ... that he apparently was not entitled to wear. This act underscores the importance of the issue to all military veterans.
Respectfully, Pete CPL E-4 USMC 1958-62

There is nothing more lowly than a poser, especially these cowards who want the recognition but not the service time or the sacrifice of really giving up all your tomorrows for other peoples todays.

The service also needs to clean up it's own act in how it awards medals in the first place. For example, I can tell you about the NCO who decided rolling in barbed wire and cutting himself up was a good way to get a Purple Heart in a combat zone since he wasnt injured any other way. He was right and did end up getting his purple heart during Desert Storm this way.

Im sure more veterans can attest to the strange way the military awards medals.

so whats the crime? spent many years in the marine corps air wing up to mid 70 s, had a few medals highest a few air medals as huey door gunner. those medals were used in military to exhibit ones history to fellow military not impress civilians. your petty he dont deserve that medal is childish just like his wearing it. he knows he is a poser so what... so you want to enlist these posers in the military? navy? air force? G W BUSH is a poser to!!!!!!

oorda died 16 May 1996 of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. He was reported to have been despondent over a news media investigation, led by David H. Hackworth, into Valor device enhancements he wore on his Navy Achievement Medal and a Navy Commendation Medal (small brass Vs, signifying valor in combat), which the media report claimed he was not entitled to wear. Former CNO Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, who was Boorda's commander in Vietnam, later indicated that Boorda was authorized to wear them.[1]

Boorda also faced unrelenting hostility from a majority of flag and General Naval Officers who believed that Boorda had betrayed the Navy by allying himself with Bush and Clinton administration demands for reform in the wake of the Tailhook scandal. Aviators in particular were incensed[citation needed] by the treatment of Admiral Stan Arthur, whose nomination for the post of Commander in Chief, Pacific, was withdrawn by Boorda at the behest of a single Senator after questions were raised over mishandling of a separate sexual harassment case. [2]

They should be court marshald as if they were really in the miltary, then put in front of a wall with a blindfold.

idiot when and what branch did you serve or are too a poser too?

RedMoons you are a pathetic, yellow bellied, coward looser who doesn’t deserve the freedoms these brave men and women have fought and died for. If you think this country is so bad then why don’t you get the heck out? I’m sure some of your communist friends around the world would be more than happy to take you in. It’s people like you that will destroy our country from within. You sit back and constantly complain bitch and moan about all that is wrong with America, while you enjoy all the things this country has to offer. You and the rest of your gutless liberal friends make me sick.

What about that guy that stood on the deck of the aircraft carrier in a flight suit a few years back and declared that the mission was accomplished?
"Book em' Dano!"

ummm lets see George Bush lies about his record, and gets to sit in the White House ,these guys lie and some wnat to kill them or send them to jail, ummm yeah that seems fair. The only difference I can see is that ol' Georgie is rich. Figures.

Simple solution.... Draft them and make them earn the medals they are wearing.

Yes LETS spend more tax dollars on something that has no significance other than emotional. Especially since there are no poor, hungry, undereducated, sick or underpriviliged people left in the world. And, there's plenty of money in social security and no national defecit. Spend Spend Spend!

We can't control our borders, yet we focus on this?

Government-sanctioned murderers (and those complacent in the same) do NOT count as heroes.

These impostors have more right to claim the title than the orignals, law or no law.

You left wing poor excuse for use of air cry babys want to see what "government sanctioned murder" is - if you got the nuts and guts .. just google "The Marsh Arabs of Iraq"
and here's a link case your as stupid as you sound and wonder who google killed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2807821.stm

It's a waste of time and resources to prosecute these pathetic.

And all you "outraged" and "offended", grow up. if you think that these idiots in any way diminish a person's service and sacrifice of our armed forces and veterans, then you need to put your thumb back in your mouth.
They can't and never will.

A simpler solution is to ban sales of decorations and duplicate medals without documentation such as a notarized letter as a collector, a DD214, or notarized letter of its use be it in theater, costume, re-enactments, replacement, duplication, wear and tear, etc. Pretty simple.

No soldier, sailor, airman, or marines lost his arm or died for a piece of medal or served or was wounded for one. It'll never be enough.. The men and women, their service and sacrifice are more important than any medal.