The Stolen Valor Act of 2005, signed into law by former President George W. Bush on Dec. 20, 2006,(my 34th Birthday!) is a U.S. law that broadens the provisions of previous U.S. law addressing the unauthorized wear, manufacture, sale or claim (either written or oral) of any military decorations and medals. It is a federal misdemeanor offense, which carries a punishment of imprisonment for no more than 1 year and/or a fine.
Simply put, if you didn't earn it, you don't wear it.
American Idol is on of the Mrs.' guilty pleasures. While I watched it tonight, I was treated to Andrew Garcia, a talented performer, singing something. I can't remember what, however, because I was way to interested in why he was wearing a series of ribbon devices on his pocket. One of those medals is the Army commendation medal. The others I haven't bothered to look up yet.
Click to embiggen:
Not sure what pisses me off the most:
1. He is wearing these medals as a fashion item, little more than a simple splash of color
2. He has no idea they are military medals]
3. No one else working there, either the host, judges, or anyone else working on the set had any idea either
4. Nobody cares.
It is never okay to wear ribbons you didn't earn. (I get that actors can wear them in movies when portraying military people--because THEY ARE PORTRAYING MILITARY PEOPLE.) Everyone is pretty certain that Tom Cruise isn't really a navy pilot or lawyer. He also doesn't wear those ribbons off-set.
Item #4 is the only one we can do anything about. Get out the pitchforks. Let people know that this is not acceptable, for any reason, because to wear them if they are not earned is to cheapen the sacrifices and achievements of those who have earned them.
--Chuck
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