As I research this phenomenon of Stolen Valor, I get nauseous and have trouble sleeping.  I get angry at pathological liars claiming Honor and Valor they know nothing of and am grateful for the Stolen Valor Act so that they may receive their Due Diligence, Due Process and the Punishment under the Law they deserve. 

I also get angry at niche market that has evolved and the self appointed Valor Vultures and Vigilantes whom in some instances seem to be nothing but opportunists who are using the press of this phenomenon to sell books, make TV appearances, promote their personal businesses and recruit puppets to do their dirty work.

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The Dilemma of Stolen Valor, Valor Vultures, Valor Vigilantes and Opportunists is Complicated!

What are the Issues?

Issue 1

Congress took action and passed the Stolen Valor Act which was enacted after being signed by the President on December 20, 2006. Problem solved right?

Of course not, (NY Times) a lie told in 2007 at a public meeting by Xavier Alvarez, an elected member of the board of directors of a water district in Southern California.  “I’m a retired Marine of 25 years,” he said.  “I retired in the year 2001. Back in 1987, I was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.  I got wounded many times by the same guy.”

Melissa Campbell  the event planner serving Mr. Alvarez snacks on June 27, 2007, was a Marine Veteran who served her country for 10 years.  Being a Patriot, Ms. Campbell exposed Mr. Alvarez’s medal claim as a hoax; later reporting to the FBI what she viewed as a crime in progress; she was not thanked by her employer; instead, she said, she was fired.

The fact is Mr. Alvarez never served in the Military and therefore was never awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.  He was prosecuted under the Stolen Valor Act, which makes it a crime to say falsely that one has “been awarded any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the armed forces of the United States.” Found guilty, Mr. Alvarez filed an appeal arguing that his remarks were protected by the First Amendment.

Even Mr. Alvarez's own Attorney Jonathan D. Libby, is upset by these false claims, but is still arguing in front of the Supreme Court that Mr. Alvarez is protected by Free Speech accorded by the First Amendment. (ABC News Story)  Speculation is that the Supreme Court will Rule on this case by late June 2012.

The administration’s top Supreme Court lawyer, Solicitor General Donald Verrilli Jr. is arguing the Stolen Valor Act is constitutional on the grounds it “regulates a very narrowly drawn and specific category of calculated factual falsehood, a verifiably false claim that an individual has won a military honor.”  

Given the fact that the Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of regulating lies in a very narrow and specific categories such as lying to a Law Enforcement Officer, lying under oath in a Court of Law, impersonating a Government Official, etc., the Court should uphold the Stolen Valor Act.  Then these pathological liars can continue to receive Due Diligence, Due Process and the Punishment under the Law they deserve!

It is with great pleasure I announce Walk With Heroes is amending our Mission and Mission Statement to include Law Enforcement and Fire Fighters and their families along with Veterans of all eras build and maintain better lives during and after their service to our country.

Our mission and goal is to provide our nation's heroes with recognition, dignity, veteran's news, benefit information, legislation reports, resource information for employment, education, health care, an open ear, comradeship, brotherhood, a support network, an informal safety net and more.

However, it is with apprehension I announce we will be also amending our Mission, Mission Statement and goal to provide our nation's heroes with help in defending their honor and help ensuring they receive due process when their honor is attacked.

I have become aware of three (3) Military Veterans here in Volusia County that I know and respect personally that have come under attack for Stolen Valor claims by what appears to be as I can...