NEWS

Monitor news stories related to this important issue from the links below:

August 4	AMERICA'S VETERANS ANGRY AT "STOLEN VALOR - Press Box UK reports on the flood of emails to NCHRA in support of the Stolen Valor Act of 2005. NCHRA endorsed this act, calling for correction of the record of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard who claimed several medals of valor though he never actually saw combat.
	STOLEN VALOR - Good Day Colorado, FOX 31 (Denver).  Medal of Honor recipients Peter Lemon (Vietnam) and George Sakato (WWII) join Pam Sterner for a 10-minute interview regarding the Stolen Valor Act. REAL PLAYER REQUIRED
August 1	Online Hawking of Military Medals Shocks Veterans - South of Boston Patriot Ledger reports on the stolen valor act, with quotes from local veterans including an 84-year-old combat veteran of D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge who received two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts.
	GRAND THEFT OF GLORY - Alicia Acuna and the FOX NEWS TEAM get it right. This report, which includes a moving interview with Medal of Honor Recipient Peter Lemon, accurately explains what the Stolen Valor Act is all about, and why it is important.  KUDOS to FOX News. If you want to thank them for their fair, balanced and accurate coverage, EMAIL FOX. Click on the icon at left for BROADBAND. for a smaller file select this option:  DIAL UP.  REAL PLAYER REQUIRED
July 28	Flap over Purple Heart a red herring - Denver Post op/ed piece by Bill Husted takes a jab at Congressman Salazar, and indicates that fraudulent Purple Hearts are far less important than eye drops misused in the movie "Wedding Crashers." Story includes a response from Special Forces Vietnam Veteran and popular author Don Bendell.
	KSDK (St. Louis) - A report by Nancy Yamada that includes interviews with people exiting the movie "Wedding Crashers" and a closing sound-bite from a visitor to the Vietnam Wall.
July 27	Movie flap puts focus on fake medals - The Pueblo Chieftain reports local reaction to the movie and FOX News interview with Doug and Pam Sterner.
July 27	Wanna be a hero? Only $19.95 (plus shipping) - Salt Lake City Tribune report on medals for sale, including Utah Medal of Honor Recipient George Wahlen's perspective and quote on the issue.
July 26	"Lighten Up, Francis."- ROLL CALL takes a slap at Congressman John Salazar for being upset at the fraudulent use of Purple Hearts. This article is followed by a response from Special Forces Vietnam Veteran and popular author Don Bendell.
July 26	No Medal for Wedding Crashers- YAHOO News reports on the removal of the popular movie's "print-your-own Purple Heart" from the promotional website.
CBS NEWS - Streaming Video- CBS News Reporter Richard Schlesinger takes reports on the Stolen Valor act for CBS Evening News.
	Stolen Valor Act Introduced - Streaming Video (Requires REAL PLAYER) Hometown report by Colorado Springs KRDO News 13, featuring footage of the July 22 Press Conference, sound-bites from Congressman John Salazar and author B.G. Burkett, and interviews with Pam Sterner, author of the policy analysis that lead to introduction of the Stolen Valor Act. (REAL MEDIA FILE)
	Rep. Salazar Introduces Stolen Valor Act - Streaming Video from Grand Junction Colorado's KKCO NBC 11. (Video news report is preceded by a short video commercial, so please be patient. the story is worth the wait.)
Watch Video	Medal winners outraged by fake vets - Story and Streaming Video from Denver's Channel 9 News. Click on the Blue Text Link  to access the Television Station's text story. At the top of the page you will see a camera icon you can click on to see the accompanying video version. Or you can click on the Purple Heart icon at left to watch only the video.
July 23	Salazar bill targets military imposters- The Pueblo Chieftain reports on the press conference by local Congressman John Salazar in announcing the Stolen Valor Act of 2005 at the Capitol.
JULY 22	Legislation would criminalize impersonating a decorated veteran - Associated Press story about the "Stolen Valor Act" including quotes from interviews with FBI Agent Tom Cottone, Medal of Honor Recipient George Sakato, and HOH webmaster Doug Sterner.
JULY 22	Vet addresses 'Stolen Valor' measure -- Dallas: He speaks out in Washington on lying about military honors- Dallas Morning News. Stolen Valor author B.G. Jug Burkett joins Colorado Congressman John Salazar in introducing the "Stolen Valor Act of 2005."
JULY 21	House bill takes aim at 'stolen' acts of valor - Rocky Mountain News story, one of the first announcing the Stolen Valor Act, highlights the contribution of a Colorado State University Student who wrote the policy analysis paper for this bill. Page includes a letter from CSU-Pueblo President Dr. Ronald L. Applbaum to Congressman Salazar, endorsing the Bill.
JULY 21	'Wedding Crashers' draws fire on Capitol Hill  - Scripps Howard News Service report on the movie's promotional website, noting medals fraud as a pick-up tool for wedding crashers.
	Rep. Salazar Introduces Stolen Valor Act - Streaming Video CNN reports in a positive and accurate way on the introduction of the Stolen Valor Act. This well-done report is well worth watching.
FEATURE	One-Man Fraud Squad This FBI G-Man Takes Down Bogus Marines and Fake Heroes - Marine Corps Times article on FBI Agent Tom Cottone, including "8 Ways to Spot a Phony"

 

James Fields (Left) regaled the audience in Chillicothe, MO, on veterans day with tales of his heroism that earned him a Navy Cross for heroism in Vietnam while serving under Lt. Col. Oliver North. The same day in St. Louis, Michael Wielbacher showed up for the Marine Corps Birthday Ball wearing the Navy Cross and Distinguished Service Medal, along with a two Silver Stars with "V", four Bronze, and more. Both were bogus heroes. Wielbacher is prosecutable but Fields is NOT (he was wearing a Navy Cross PIN, not the Medal. Both are exposed in this excellent report from the St. Louis Fox Affiliate. Watch the Video Report of these "American Heroes" Video Archives from Last Year's Stolen Valor Stories CNN Channel 13 - Pueblo FOX NEWS - GREAT!! FOX 31 - Talk Show MORE Video Reports are available in our NEWS SECTION Note: While journalists do not endorse legislation in order to maintain impartiality, we are pleased to share with you the following congratulatory remarks by a leader in American news broadcasting:  "I congratulate Congressman Salazar for getting on this case and I am with him all the way."  Bob Schieffer, CBS Evening News

Doug or Pam Sterner may be contacted at: (703) 461-3626 or by Email:  Pam Sterner  -  Doug Sterner

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