Thoughts on veterans calling for a LA Sheriff candidate to stop his run for office?

2015-06-29T14:13:09-04:00

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/news/local/2015/06/28/veterans-want-apology-sheriffs-candidate/29435661/

I stumbled across this article on military times this morning. After reading the story it comes off to me as a man who served his country honorably. He served in Iraq and was even awarded a Bronze star. I don't know why he is being attacked for apparently being proud of his service. I don't care he doesn't have a DD-214; I care about his service/ sacrifice to our country. If what he says is true and he wasn't trying to further his political agenda on the false pretense that he is a veteran then quite frankly I don't give a damn that he stood up at some seminar. I fell grateful for his service and sacrifice. Seems like sometimes we get too caught up in the technicalities....your thoughts?

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jun 29 at 2015 2:40 PM

2015-06-29T14:40:16-04:00

Weren't we just talking about knee-jerk reactions? I feel this is a great example of this. Yet, there are two sides of the coin here. While he did serve with honor in Iraq, according to the story, he was there as a civilian therefore the title of "Veteran" does not apply to him. If he is walking around saying he is a "military veteran" then he is in the wrong. If he is walking around using the award he earned as a civilian to help promote his run for office then good for him, he earned it.

Must like anything there are three sides to the story; some where in between all that lays the truth. I say, let him run and if the wrongfully represented himself than further actions should be taken.

Response by SSG Stephen Arnold made Jun 29 at 2015 2:40 PM

2015-06-29T14:40:20-04:00

This is in a city near me. Frankly, I do not believe that sufficient information has been shared for a reasonable opinion to be formed.

For example, it could have been a volunteer or an intern who updated the website. It could be an honest mistake. There are accusations that he "stood" when other veterans were asked to stand. What was the question asked that led to people standing? More context is needed.

Before we completely disregard the man, he should have an opportunity to respond to the accusations. He is scheduled to be on the radio tomorrow morning. You might be able to stream it live:

http://kpel965.com/controversy-over-one-candidate-for-lafayette-parish-sheriff/

I do not know enough to form an opinion at this time. Any response would be speculation at best.

Controversy Over One Candidate For Lafayette Parish Sheriff

The primary is set for October 24.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jun 29 at 2015 2:41 PM

2015-06-29T14:41:02-04:00

The veterans need to apologize to him, Our American citizen interpreters served along our teams going out the wire on all missions, they faced the same dangers and were exposed to the same attacks and were the subject of deliberate targeting by the enemy. In some fire fights we provided them a weapon in defense of the team. Any veteran that has an issue with an American Interpreter calling himself a veteran lack insight into what is asked of them; to make matter worse they do not receive the benefits that we get. This makes their life worst when the ravages of war come home.

Response by CPO Joseph Grant made Jun 29 at 2015 2:44 PM

2015-06-29T14:44:12-04:00

My wife's late husband was in the Army for 10 years. His DD214 was lost. It does happen. My wife had to get a letter from the Pentagon to prove he was a veteran. All she wanted was burial costs to be covered.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 29 at 2015 3:09 PM

2015-06-29T15:09:57-04:00

So the guy can't even present his Bronze citation?
Who cited him?
The number of civilians that have been awarded a Bronze is diminishingly small.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2015 3:23 PM

2015-06-29T15:23:47-04:00

I think he is no common civilian. He faced the same perils and even got a Bronze Star. And saying he served WITH the military is not the same as saying he served IN the military. Though his experiences means he served without going to basic. I am not sure what training he did have.

Lastly when politics are involved, things do get ugly and out-of-hand.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Jun 29 at 2015 5:50 PM

2015-06-29T17:50:47-04:00

He simply needs to apologize for not clearly representing himself as a civilian that was forward deployed with (presumably) the Air Force. The vets need to simmer down, accept the apology and press on.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jun 29 at 2015 7:34 PM

2015-06-29T19:34:14-04:00

Great story, this is the first time I heard of anything like this. I highly believe it goes to military. I could be wrong.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Jun 29 at 2015 7:37 PM

2015-06-29T19:37:32-04:00

The article said he got a Bronze Star as a civilian. How does a civilian get a Bronze Star?

Response by CPO Joseph Grant made Jun 29 at 2015 7:38 PM

2015-06-29T19:38:55-04:00

I didn't Internet search and supposedly there are a couple of civilians in history who were awarded the bronze Star and put that it's very few and far between

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2015 8:01 PM

2015-06-29T20:01:23-04:00

The Bronze Star Medal was established by Executive Order 9419, February 4, 1944 (superseded by Executive Order 11046, August 24, 1962, as amended by Executive Order 13286, February 28, 2003).

The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army of the United States after December 6, 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy; or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. Title 10, United States Code, section 1133, (10 USC 1133) limits award of the Bronze Star Medal to service members receiving imminent danger pay.

Awards may be made for acts of heroism, performed under circumstances described above, which are of lesser degree than required for the award of the Silver Star.

The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded for meritorious achievement or meritorious service according to the following: (1) Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or meritorious service. The lesser degree than that required for the award of the Legion of Merit must nevertheless have been meritorious and accomplished with distinction. (2) Award may be made to each member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, after December 6, 1941, has been cited in orders or awarded a certificate for exemplary conduct in ground combat against an armed enemy between December 7, 1941 and September 2, 1945, inclusive, or whose meritorious achievement has been otherwise confirmed by documents executed prior to July 1, 1947. For this purpose, an award of the Combat Infantryman Badge or Combat Medical Badge is considered as a citation in orders. (3) Upon letter application, award of the Bronze Star Medal may be made to eligible Soldiers who participated in the Philippine Islands Campaign between December 7, 1941 to May 10, 1942. Performance of duty must have been on the island of Luzon or the Harbor Defenses in Corregidor and Bataan. Only Soldiers who were awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation (Presidential Unit Citation) may be awarded this decoration.[1]

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jun 29 at 2015 8:09 PM

2015-06-29T20:09:27-04:00

In my opinion, I think the veterans are splitting hairs here. Maybe he pushed the envelope a little bit, but ultimately the voters will cast judgment. The veterans have pointed it out, so let the democratic process determine if the people in that Parish care.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 29 at 2015 8:12 PM

2015-06-29T20:12:12-04:00

He is not a "veteran" so he needs to stop calling himself one. Secondly he needs to say that he was working for the Air Force as a contractor/federal civilian or whatever his status was.

Lastly, it PISSES me off that civilians, no matter how honorably they might perform their duties, can be awarded a Bronze Star medal.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Jun 30 at 2015 3:23 AM

2015-06-30T03:23:03-04:00

Some people simply don't have enough to do and not enough smarts to do it with.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 10:14 AM

2015-06-30T10:14:44-04:00

I can understand the guy's desire to be recognized. He did deploy, he saw some hostile fire, and worked next special operators in a combat theatre. I also respect his choice to do the things he did and was properly awarded for his efforts. Bravo.
But, as with most politicians these days, he doesn't know where to draw the line. He might feel like a vet, he might want to be a vet and stand in the same light as other vets, but he doesn't have that right. Time and time again we see those that wish to serve us in public office only wish to serve themselves. It would be nice to see an actual veteran run against this guy and win.

Response by SPC Corbin Doades made Dec 28 at 2015 6:26 PM

2015-12-28T18:26:00-05:00

If you really wanted to. You could include his role in the definition of veteran.

Simple Definition of veteran
Popularity: Top 40% of words

: someone who fought in a war as a soldier, sailor, etc.

: someone who has a lot of experience in a particular activity, job, etc.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/veteran

Definition of VETERAN

someone who fought in a war as a soldier, sailor, etc. See the full definition…