huyah_dan18
08-23-2008, 10:42 PM
Hello, I thought you guys might be interested in this article re State of Texas prosecuting phony war heroes getting license plates
Dan18
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TxDOT cracking down on phony war heroes issued military honor license plates
07:53 AM CDT on Saturday, August 23, 2008
By DANIEL MONTEVERDE
The Dallas Morning News dmonteverde@dallasnews.com
Veteran **** Agnew knows all eight other Dallas-area members of the Legion of Valor, and he knows their cars – each with a special marking on the license plate to recognize the honor.
So when he heard about the maroon 2001 Chevy parked at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, he had to go see for himself.
"I went out there and took pictures of the car, and said, 'That son of a ...' " said Mr. Agnew, commander of the North Texas Legion of Valor chapter and a recipient of the Army Distinguished Service Cross. "No one in our chapter has a maroon 2001 Chevy."
Mr. Agnew and another real war hero, Don Mason, commander of the San Antonio chapter of the Legion of Valor, checked their records and called the Texas Department of Transportation to turn in the phony, who also had a Navy Cross in the back window. Service crosses, which give you Legion of Valor eligibility, are second only to the Medal of Honor.
"They came to us and we were like, 'Holy cow. What can we do to make this better?' " said Kim Sue Lia Perkes, a TxDOT spokeswoman.
A subsequent investigation has found 14 of the 67 Legion of Merit license plates that were on the road in Texas may have been obtained through fraudulent means. So far, 11 have been either returned by the holder or canceled by TxDOT.
The department has revamped the application process for military license plates signifying the highest honors to ensure that those who are requesting them did, in fact, earn the recognition.
First-time applications for seven meritorious service license plates – including the Medal of Honor – are being routed through Austin headquarters, where they undergo a much more stringent review than they had in the past.
Sometimes almost half a dozen people will examine the required documents, said John Poole, manager for special registrations.
If any red flags pop up, letters go out notifying the applicant and giving them a chance to respond. If there's no response, a second letter is sent out.
"As a final warning we send out a letter saying we don't want to cancel the plates or notify the FBI," said Mike Craig, deputy director of vehicle titles and registration.
Ms. Perkes added: "It's a very delicate balancing act." While the agency wants to catch people posing as military honorees, "we don't want to make so many hoops to jump through that people who deserve it can't get a license plate."
Stolen Valor
For decades, barroom blowhards boasted of the battles they'd fought, enemies they'd cut down in hand-to-hand combat and the awards bestowed upon them. Sometimes they dressed the part.
Since December 2006, the Stolen Valor Act, a little-known federal law, has made it a federal offense not only to wear unearned military medals but to make any claims, written or spoken, about the receipt of meritorious awards.
Falsified military license plate applications fall under that law. A conviction can carry a fine of up to $100,000 and up to one year in prison.
The problem often arises when applicants submit doctored forms, such as discharge papers, or fake documents found on the Internet.
TxDOT officials say it's hard to actually verify an individual's claim, even with documents.
There is no central database the federal government keeps of military awards. Instead, they are scattered between sites in St. Louis and Washington, D.C., essentially forcing the honor system to be the backbone of the application process.
"Without a database, we're hamstrung," Mr. Craig added.
The closest thing there is to one is a list maintained by decorated Vietnam veteran and military historian Doug Sterner, who helped pass the Stolen Valor Act legislation.
When TxDOT began its investigation, officials turned to Mr. Sterner's Web site.
"That's ridiculous that TxDOT would have to go to a private individual," Mr. Sterner said.
"The only other option would be to not issue any [military] license plates, and that would be a real travesty."
Mr. Sterner is now working with members of Congress to help pass the Roll of Valor Act, which would require the Department of Defense to electronically archive new and existing military awards.
An official with the Department of Defense said it would be too difficult and expensive to compile such a database.
"Although the idea of establishing such a database is noble, the creation of an accurate and complete historical database [with name and citation] of all past valorous award recipients is unattainable and cost prohibitive," said spokeswoman Eileen Lainez.
Slap in the face
For those who have received service awards, it's akin to a slap across the face when false heroes take credit – and receive benefits – for actions they never performed.
"We feel damn mad about it," Mr. Mason of San Antonio said.
Most cases involve veterans who are leading empty lives.
"It derives out of low self-esteem," said B.G. Burkett, whose book provided the name for the Stolen Valor legislation. "Suddenly there's an element of respect he didn't have before."
Other times, it's just an easy way to bilk people and organizations for benefits.
In the case of the car at D/FW Airport, Mr. Agnew discovered the owner is a baggage handler with the Transportation Security Administration. While he did serve in the Marine Corps, he was not a Navy Cross recipient, much less a member of the Legion of Valor.
The man, who has not been charged with a crime, did not return messages from The Dallas Morning News requesting comment.
Mr. Agnew earned his Distinguished Service Cross after a near-death experience in July 1953, during the Korean War.
While typically animated in actions and speech when he talks about those who moonlight as war heroes – Mr. Agnew calls them "liars, phonies, cheats, federal criminals" – he becomes still and his voice lowers when he recalls the two nights that led to his recognition.
Mr. Agnew, after suffering injuries from a fall down a 60-foot cliff, was able to cut down an enemy soldier in hand-to-hand combat with his own knife. He and his corporal, Gilbert Collier, took the enemy down while under a hail of hand grenades and bullets.
Although he and his corporal received the medal, it was awarded posthumously to Cpl. Collier.
That's why the idea of a fake or military impostor cuts so deep.
"When I think about him and we're fighting together and I'm a bloody mess," Mr. Agnew said before pausing. "When I think about the soldiers who have died for our country ... it just bothers me."
AT A GLANCE: SERVICE LICENSE PLATES
The Texas Department of Transportation is cracking down on phony war heroes who apply for any of seven meritorious service license plates. Applicants with proper documentation can get forms online at texasonline.com; fees vary.
LEGION OF VALOR –Three plates (Army Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross, Navy Cross)
Awarded for extraordinary heroism while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with a foreign force.
SILVER STAR –One plate (all services)
The Silver Star is the third-highest military award designated solely for heroism in combat.
DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS –One plate (all services)
Established in 1926 and made retroactive for actions after 1918, it can be awarded for achievements in aviation or for heroism in aerial combat.
MEDAL OF HONOR –One plate (Army, Air Force, Navy)
The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be presented to a person serving in the U.S. military. Generally presented to its recipient by the president in the name of Congress.
LEGION OF MERIT –One plate (all services)
The Legion of Merit is an award that is presented for exceptionally meritorious conduct. The decoration, which is issued in award degrees, is presented to U.S. military personnel and to military and political figures of foreign governments.
SOURCES: www.homeofheroes.com; Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation
Dan18
================================================== ========
TxDOT cracking down on phony war heroes issued military honor license plates
07:53 AM CDT on Saturday, August 23, 2008
By DANIEL MONTEVERDE
The Dallas Morning News dmonteverde@dallasnews.com
Veteran **** Agnew knows all eight other Dallas-area members of the Legion of Valor, and he knows their cars – each with a special marking on the license plate to recognize the honor.
So when he heard about the maroon 2001 Chevy parked at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, he had to go see for himself.
"I went out there and took pictures of the car, and said, 'That son of a ...' " said Mr. Agnew, commander of the North Texas Legion of Valor chapter and a recipient of the Army Distinguished Service Cross. "No one in our chapter has a maroon 2001 Chevy."
Mr. Agnew and another real war hero, Don Mason, commander of the San Antonio chapter of the Legion of Valor, checked their records and called the Texas Department of Transportation to turn in the phony, who also had a Navy Cross in the back window. Service crosses, which give you Legion of Valor eligibility, are second only to the Medal of Honor.
"They came to us and we were like, 'Holy cow. What can we do to make this better?' " said Kim Sue Lia Perkes, a TxDOT spokeswoman.
A subsequent investigation has found 14 of the 67 Legion of Merit license plates that were on the road in Texas may have been obtained through fraudulent means. So far, 11 have been either returned by the holder or canceled by TxDOT.
The department has revamped the application process for military license plates signifying the highest honors to ensure that those who are requesting them did, in fact, earn the recognition.
First-time applications for seven meritorious service license plates – including the Medal of Honor – are being routed through Austin headquarters, where they undergo a much more stringent review than they had in the past.
Sometimes almost half a dozen people will examine the required documents, said John Poole, manager for special registrations.
If any red flags pop up, letters go out notifying the applicant and giving them a chance to respond. If there's no response, a second letter is sent out.
"As a final warning we send out a letter saying we don't want to cancel the plates or notify the FBI," said Mike Craig, deputy director of vehicle titles and registration.
Ms. Perkes added: "It's a very delicate balancing act." While the agency wants to catch people posing as military honorees, "we don't want to make so many hoops to jump through that people who deserve it can't get a license plate."
Stolen Valor
For decades, barroom blowhards boasted of the battles they'd fought, enemies they'd cut down in hand-to-hand combat and the awards bestowed upon them. Sometimes they dressed the part.
Since December 2006, the Stolen Valor Act, a little-known federal law, has made it a federal offense not only to wear unearned military medals but to make any claims, written or spoken, about the receipt of meritorious awards.
Falsified military license plate applications fall under that law. A conviction can carry a fine of up to $100,000 and up to one year in prison.
The problem often arises when applicants submit doctored forms, such as discharge papers, or fake documents found on the Internet.
TxDOT officials say it's hard to actually verify an individual's claim, even with documents.
There is no central database the federal government keeps of military awards. Instead, they are scattered between sites in St. Louis and Washington, D.C., essentially forcing the honor system to be the backbone of the application process.
"Without a database, we're hamstrung," Mr. Craig added.
The closest thing there is to one is a list maintained by decorated Vietnam veteran and military historian Doug Sterner, who helped pass the Stolen Valor Act legislation.
When TxDOT began its investigation, officials turned to Mr. Sterner's Web site.
"That's ridiculous that TxDOT would have to go to a private individual," Mr. Sterner said.
"The only other option would be to not issue any [military] license plates, and that would be a real travesty."
Mr. Sterner is now working with members of Congress to help pass the Roll of Valor Act, which would require the Department of Defense to electronically archive new and existing military awards.
An official with the Department of Defense said it would be too difficult and expensive to compile such a database.
"Although the idea of establishing such a database is noble, the creation of an accurate and complete historical database [with name and citation] of all past valorous award recipients is unattainable and cost prohibitive," said spokeswoman Eileen Lainez.
Slap in the face
For those who have received service awards, it's akin to a slap across the face when false heroes take credit – and receive benefits – for actions they never performed.
"We feel damn mad about it," Mr. Mason of San Antonio said.
Most cases involve veterans who are leading empty lives.
"It derives out of low self-esteem," said B.G. Burkett, whose book provided the name for the Stolen Valor legislation. "Suddenly there's an element of respect he didn't have before."
Other times, it's just an easy way to bilk people and organizations for benefits.
In the case of the car at D/FW Airport, Mr. Agnew discovered the owner is a baggage handler with the Transportation Security Administration. While he did serve in the Marine Corps, he was not a Navy Cross recipient, much less a member of the Legion of Valor.
The man, who has not been charged with a crime, did not return messages from The Dallas Morning News requesting comment.
Mr. Agnew earned his Distinguished Service Cross after a near-death experience in July 1953, during the Korean War.
While typically animated in actions and speech when he talks about those who moonlight as war heroes – Mr. Agnew calls them "liars, phonies, cheats, federal criminals" – he becomes still and his voice lowers when he recalls the two nights that led to his recognition.
Mr. Agnew, after suffering injuries from a fall down a 60-foot cliff, was able to cut down an enemy soldier in hand-to-hand combat with his own knife. He and his corporal, Gilbert Collier, took the enemy down while under a hail of hand grenades and bullets.
Although he and his corporal received the medal, it was awarded posthumously to Cpl. Collier.
That's why the idea of a fake or military impostor cuts so deep.
"When I think about him and we're fighting together and I'm a bloody mess," Mr. Agnew said before pausing. "When I think about the soldiers who have died for our country ... it just bothers me."
AT A GLANCE: SERVICE LICENSE PLATES
The Texas Department of Transportation is cracking down on phony war heroes who apply for any of seven meritorious service license plates. Applicants with proper documentation can get forms online at texasonline.com; fees vary.
LEGION OF VALOR –Three plates (Army Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross, Navy Cross)
Awarded for extraordinary heroism while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with a foreign force.
SILVER STAR –One plate (all services)
The Silver Star is the third-highest military award designated solely for heroism in combat.
DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS –One plate (all services)
Established in 1926 and made retroactive for actions after 1918, it can be awarded for achievements in aviation or for heroism in aerial combat.
MEDAL OF HONOR –One plate (Army, Air Force, Navy)
The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be presented to a person serving in the U.S. military. Generally presented to its recipient by the president in the name of Congress.
LEGION OF MERIT –One plate (all services)
The Legion of Merit is an award that is presented for exceptionally meritorious conduct. The decoration, which is issued in award degrees, is presented to U.S. military personnel and to military and political figures of foreign governments.
SOURCES: www.homeofheroes.com; Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation