stolen valor

This disgusts me.

I wasn't raised in a military family. Sure, my great grandfather whom I knew up until I was 2 yrs old was in the US Navy. My Paw Paw was also in the Navy but that was WAY before my time and he's not one who was all gung-ho for it. My view on the military was very tunnel-like. I assumed everyone was either Army or Navy. I didn't understand how things operated and that there were more than those 2 branches.

It wasn't until I was 17 yrs old when I just so happened to be best friends with a guy who was joining the Marine Corps. From there I slowly learned more and more. I met marines at the recruiting station and many of my other friends opted to join the Marine Corps. I flew to Japan when i was 19 and met a lot of young marines. I was married to a Marine when I was 20 yrs old and we moved to California. There we were stationed with a lot of NCO's (noncommissioned officers) who had served at LEAST one but most of the time more tours in iraq/afghanistan. Having met these men and heard their stories always baffled me on how it was so easy for me to trust them around my children. It's simple though. They're men of faith, courage, honor, commitment and most of all, a huge heart. These men give up any and everything for their country. I'm glad to say that the men my husband was stationed with in California have most certainly become like family to us. I consider them all Uncles to my son and love when they get to see or talk to him.

Now why would ANYONE try and take their respect away? Why would someone honestly claim to be a military personnel when they were not?

Is it because they look up to them so much? Is it because they wish they'd made a difference? Can anyone tell me?

I'm at a loss right now. I don't see it being okay in ANY situation to EVER claim to be a military personnel let alone a DISTINGUISHED military personnel. Purple hearts, PTSD & medical retirement are all VERY REAL. These are not things real marines strive to achieve. They're just "good old boys and girls" trying to serve their country.

Does someone really think if they say they have these things (when in actuallity they don't) that they're better than someone else?

You could always claim insanity. I was talking with a dear friend about it and she said it best "Lots of people are insane, they dont' go around claiming purple hearts though."

It pains me to know that there's people out there like this. It disgusts me for the men and women who I've met in the military that have EARNED the right to be called a Marine. What's even MOST baffling to me is how these people can actually shake TRUE war heroes, marines, etc. hands and look them in the eye. They might as well be spitting in their face.

I have nothing nice to say to them. I'm going to pray about it. That's everything that I can do. I know God will handle the rest.

(ETA: i referred to marine corps mainly because that's what i know.)