thedrifter
08-02-06, 02:24 PM
A county where heroes are real
August 02,2006
There’s long been an epidemic of wannabe heroes sweeping this country. In fact, the problem has grown so prevalent the FBI investigates bogus medal claims.These pretenders want others to think they’ve won medals during heroic action in combat situations. The truth is, some have never even served in the U.S. armed forces, much less seen action. But the extremes to which some of these pretenders go are amazing.
By far the most egregious pretenders to the throne are those who claim to have won the Medal of Honor. Since it’s relatively easy to find statistics on Medal of Honor winners as well as their names and citations on the Internet, these fakes are easily exposed. Additionally, both the FBI and an organization of Medal of Honor winners actively seek out phonies, who are then prosecuted and face both jail time and large fines.
Impersonating Navy SEALS, Army Special Forces, prisoners of war and combat veterans comprises another heinous affront to those who truly earn their rites of passage.
Veterans groups actively expose these imposters, but often neighbors and their own families, as well as some gullible members of the press, accept them at face-value and perpetuate their charade.
Thousands have been busted for claiming medals to which they are not entitled. From the simple Purple Heart to the Navy Cross, from the Silver Star to the Medal of Honor, liars who claim what rightfully belong to heroes have been tracked down and confronted with the truth. Some of those who masquerade as medal winners may be surprising: one judge who said he received not one, but two, Medals of Honor was eventually exposed as a fraud.
Other fake heroes speak at veterans’ ceremonies, tell great stories of wartime and valor and wear bogus medals and nonexistent military service like a thick coat of make-up. It may make them more attractive to others in the short run, but unlike true, lasting beauty, it’s nothing but a facade.
And that is why a man such as Capt. Jason Schauble is more than simply a bona fide hero in a sea of wannabes. He’s someone Onslow County welcomes.
Schauble won the Bronze Star, Silver Star and Meritorious Service Medal for his performance while in combat in Iraq. He suffered injuries that left him with a permanent reminder of his service.
A nine-year veteran of the Marine Corps, Schauble planned to make the Marines his life’s work, but was instead medically retired. He and his wife, also a former Marine, intend to settle in Richlands. The Schaubles are more than welcome in the community.
While imposters fan out across the country, residents of eastern North Carolina can take immense pride in calling the real deal “neighbor.”
Ellie
August 02,2006
There’s long been an epidemic of wannabe heroes sweeping this country. In fact, the problem has grown so prevalent the FBI investigates bogus medal claims.These pretenders want others to think they’ve won medals during heroic action in combat situations. The truth is, some have never even served in the U.S. armed forces, much less seen action. But the extremes to which some of these pretenders go are amazing.
By far the most egregious pretenders to the throne are those who claim to have won the Medal of Honor. Since it’s relatively easy to find statistics on Medal of Honor winners as well as their names and citations on the Internet, these fakes are easily exposed. Additionally, both the FBI and an organization of Medal of Honor winners actively seek out phonies, who are then prosecuted and face both jail time and large fines.
Impersonating Navy SEALS, Army Special Forces, prisoners of war and combat veterans comprises another heinous affront to those who truly earn their rites of passage.
Veterans groups actively expose these imposters, but often neighbors and their own families, as well as some gullible members of the press, accept them at face-value and perpetuate their charade.
Thousands have been busted for claiming medals to which they are not entitled. From the simple Purple Heart to the Navy Cross, from the Silver Star to the Medal of Honor, liars who claim what rightfully belong to heroes have been tracked down and confronted with the truth. Some of those who masquerade as medal winners may be surprising: one judge who said he received not one, but two, Medals of Honor was eventually exposed as a fraud.
Other fake heroes speak at veterans’ ceremonies, tell great stories of wartime and valor and wear bogus medals and nonexistent military service like a thick coat of make-up. It may make them more attractive to others in the short run, but unlike true, lasting beauty, it’s nothing but a facade.
And that is why a man such as Capt. Jason Schauble is more than simply a bona fide hero in a sea of wannabes. He’s someone Onslow County welcomes.
Schauble won the Bronze Star, Silver Star and Meritorious Service Medal for his performance while in combat in Iraq. He suffered injuries that left him with a permanent reminder of his service.
A nine-year veteran of the Marine Corps, Schauble planned to make the Marines his life’s work, but was instead medically retired. He and his wife, also a former Marine, intend to settle in Richlands. The Schaubles are more than welcome in the community.
While imposters fan out across the country, residents of eastern North Carolina can take immense pride in calling the real deal “neighbor.”
Ellie