Stolen Valor In The Land Of 10,000 Lakes: A KSTP 5 Eyewitness News Investigative Report. What are your thoughts?

2015-04-24T00:16:24-04:00

When CSM Richard Rahn showed up at a benefit at the Willmar, MN VFW Post last summer, things just didn't seem to add up from the get go. For starters, here was Rahn, a decorated Command Sergeant Major from a distinguished Ranger Battalion, suddenly in town, dressed impressively in his ASUs, but still not looking, or acting, quite right. To those both in and out of uniform, this was more than enough to raise the red flag, and in the process, find the weaknesses in Minnesota's Stolen Valor laws...

Stolen Valor: Military Imposter Upsets Minnesota Families

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS discovered a crack in Minnesota law that allows certain imposters to parade around posing as highly decorated veterans. It’s a growing trend around the country that includes an incident in one Minnesota town that left a veteran’s family, law enforcement and Legion members frustrated...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 12:28 AM

2015-04-24T00:28:46-04:00

it was the shades on the head that clued me in

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 3:08 AM

2015-04-24T03:08:30-04:00

I remember hearing about that one. One of my buddies, a CPT/XO in my unit was at this and mentioned it.

Ultimately, I would love to have a psychoanalysis on these people. I'm curious as to their motives. Is it the benefits/public accolades?? Are the majority of them borderline personality disorders and they feel their own lives are so lacking that they need to fabricate another facet to it???
v/r,
CPT Butler

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Apr 24 at 2015 3:54 AM

2015-04-24T03:54:29-04:00

Response by SrA Donna Patrick made Apr 24 at 2015 6:39 AM

2015-04-24T06:39:45-04:00

Why not just enlist?

Response by CPL Rob N. made Apr 24 at 2015 7:02 AM

2015-04-24T07:02:16-04:00

I think all Stolen Valor cases should be prosecuted to the fullest extent. To see most of these individuals acting the part for personal gain with no respect for our brothers and sisters that have paid the ultimate price wearing the uniform. The very least we can do as Veterans, to honor our fallen, is to enforce the Stolen Valor law! I understand not all are in it for personal gain. For example, the "Marine SGT" (Craig Pusley) standing in front of the elementary school (Modesto, CA) in the wake of the Sandy Hook incident. He believed he was actually providing a service. Non the less, impersonators need to think twice before putting on the uniform and lacing up their boots to go walking around thinking they are someone they are truly not.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 8:52 AM

2015-04-24T08:52:42-04:00

We had some schmucks on here saying that it is not that important. Either they are not military or misled liberals with no sense of shame. I want anyone of these people and that includes those who are active to go and tell the mother of a dead soldier that this is NOT a big issue. It most definitely is.

Response by SPC Carl K. made Apr 24 at 2015 7:57 PM

2015-04-24T19:57:57-04:00

The way I look at it is if you dress up like a cop and go parading around in a police uniform, you will be arrested for it. It really should not be any different with military uniforms. I believe there should be the same type of charge for impersonating a military member, as it is for impersonating a cop.