Stolen Valor-Do you think it goes against the perpetrators "freedom of speech" to make it illegal to wear military uniforms and medals?

The sure way to spot the legitimate vet from the phony one is real vets would never wear all this in civilian attire. The common accepted practice is to wear the lapel pin for the highest award received. I wear my Silver Star lapel pin on my suit or sport jacket. When anyone asks me why, I tell the it's a reminder. It reminds me of all the comrades I lost in combat and it reminds me that no matter how bad things may get today, they won't get that bad. I don't do it to say look at me, I'm a decorated veteran.

My opinion here. These people are simply seeking attention and perhaps some validation. For whatever their reasons may be. While their right to pose as us is debated by many, what expression of speech are they really expressing? That they wish they could be us? They wish they had made better life choices? They don't like who looks back at them in the mirror? I doubt we'll ever know. Obviously conducting themselves this way for personal benefit should always be criminal. However, didn't you work your ass off for your awards? Didn't most of us sacrifice ourselves, our families, and lose brothers in the process of earning some of those awards we don with pride and honor and integrity? Why shouldn't it be a crime for them to wear our well earned uniform and awards? Because it's their right under the 1St amendment? Where's our right to maintain the honor of said awards and medals? I for one have been challenged for my decorations. These people have made it unbelievable that anyone might have actually earned what they wear. I have gotten to where 1) I do not wear the uniform unless required and I limit how much public exposure I get. 2) if I am in the dress blues I keep a 2 inch blue binder with proof of my awards nearby. People who don't know any better and don't know a correct uniform, assume it's a fake. Should these fakers really be able to get away with it? Last I checked it is a crime to impersonate a law enforcement officer. An honorable profession for most. Uniform. Authority. Image of professionalism. I believe their actions of false Valor exceed that 1St amendment right as it was intended.

Doing so, even merely claiming service and awards in order to get tangible benifits is fraud. And is punishably by the Stolen Valor Act of 2013. In my opinion fraudulendy wearing a uniform and trying to pass yourself as military, even if you arent solicity funds needs to be punished as a misdemeanor. Australia charges people with the crime "impersonationg an officer of the commonweallth". By putting on a uniform you alsao have the potential to assume the authority of a servivemember. While this may not seem like much, think abou the power the National Guard has in emergencies/