Ernest Hemingway's Fiery Rant Against Stolen Valor Is Still Relevant 100 Years Later

Hemingway was such a great writer. Unfortunately, like so many of us, the manly man stoicism masked his demons. Maybe that's why we feel such an affinity for him. Stolen valor has probably been around since the beginning of war. As long as GIs are men and women of honor, someone without such honor will want to fill what they know deep down is their own character flaw. There is one example of stolen valor for which I have some pity. That is the veteran who feels his or her service was not "good enough." He or she didn't see combat, was a POG or FOBBIT, etc. Back in my day we complained about REMFs. Then one day, I was an REMF. Nothing wrong with that. Everyone who raises his or her right hand, took the oath, and served honorably stood the line and has value. I have much respect for those on the pointy end of the spear, but as vets we need to lift each other up, not tear each other down.

Thanks Capt Seid Waddell for sharing Ernest Hemingway's rant on stolen valor.

Pretty good article. He wraps it up nicely in the ending.