Remember All Who Serve and Sacrifice for Our Country

Nov. 11 is Veterans Day -- one day out of our busy lives that Americans stop to salute the men and women who have served, or are currently serving, in our armed forces.

Americans are proud of their veterans. They are quick to thank and support them. When news of substandard living quarters at Walter Reed Medical Center broke, Americans were outraged that our troops could be treated so callously. Through programs such as the Wounded Warrior Project, families, friends, and concerned citizens give generously of time, talent, and money to help our returning veterans.

Most Americans feel -- whether or not they agree with the decisions involved in sending troops to war -- that the bravery and patriotism of the individual soldier, sailor, airman, and Marine should be honored.

Servicemen and -women who have received the Medal of Honor, a service cross, a Distinguished Service Medal, a Purple Heart are shown respect and deference. As a society, we have chosen to hold our veterans to a higher level and endow them with benefits and privileges that the average civilian is not entitled to.

Of 300 million Americans, approximately 25 million are veterans. Being a veteran is akin to being in a special club. There are separate branches of that club -- each of the different and distinct services. But all have been initiated and all identify with one another. They all survived boot camp and long separations from family and friends. They all understand what it's like to be stationed in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do and nowhere to go. They all know the angst of awaiting orders to who-knows-where and the double-time rush to get somewhere only to endure endless stretches of waiting.

A far smaller number of the club are combat veterans. For those who have served in rear support and stateside roles, the combat vets are the real heroes. Support for forward-deployed war fighters is, ultimately, the mission of every military command.

And no one begrudges the guys stationed over in the Middle East -- or any other hot spot -- the opportunity to re-enlist for a fat bonus in a tax-free zone. No one begrudges them their family separation allowance or combat pay.

A few extra bucks in the pocket might help out with expenses at home, but it does nothing for a mother who is aching to hold her children. It doesn't help the dad who has never seen his newborn son. It sure as hell doesn't put a leg back on the 19-year-old soldier who steps on an IED. And for too many, nothing will ever repay them or their families for the ultimate sacrifice they have made.

So it is fitting that we honor these men and women with parades and parties and perks, even after their active-duty days are over. They have spent the time in the trenches, they have shed the blood, and they have served our country well.

Unfortunately, there are a growing number of folks who seek to claim credit for military backgrounds that never existed. In 2001, the book Stolen Valor by B.G. Burkett exposed a number of imposters fraudulently claiming to be veterans with phony military histories and medals -- and receiving unjustified benefits at taxpayer expense.

The imposters range from the discharged ne'er-do-well private who adds a few medals and pay grades on his post-military résumé to the lifelong civilian who claims to be a general or admiral and deserving of accolades and honors. And who knows how many women have been approached in a nightclub by some jerk claiming to have been a Navy Seal or an Army Ranger?

These imposters, grabbing fame and fortune at the expense of all Americans, cheapen the efforts of our real heroes: Men and women like the late Col. John Ripley. This Marine, on an Easter morning in 1972, thwarted the advance of 20,000 Viet Cong by single-handedly destroying the Dong Ha Bridge. For three hours Ripley dangled from the bridge, under intense enemy fire, and installed 500 pounds of explosives. He was awarded the Navy Cross.

After several tours in Vietnam, Ripley returned home without fanfare to continue his military career and, later, to serve at several colleges. We lost Col. Ripley a little over a year ago. His fascinating life is well covered in a newly released book, An American Knight, by Norman Fulkerson.

In December 2006, President George W. Bush signed the Stolen Valor Act into law, making it a federal misdemeanor to falsely wear, manufacture, sell, or claim military decorations. But the new law isn't employed nearly enough. Incidents of stolen valor continue to happen.

In Richmond, we recently read the story of a veteran wrongly displaying license plates that claimed award of the Silver Star. Earlier this month, David M. Perelman, a Las Vegas Veterans Affairs employee, was indicted for falsely claiming to be a Purple Heart recipient and stealing $180,000 in disability benefits from the VA.

There are a lot of real veterans out there, and the vast majority of them are hard-working, contributing members of society. They don't complain nor do they seek special treatment. They tend to volunteer in greater numbers than their civilian counterparts. American is right to be proud of them.

Please, this Veterans Day, take a moment to thank them for their service.

Contact Robin Beres at (804) 649-6305 or .