WASHINGTON — “I have always said those who have raised their right hand to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and donned the military uniform in service to our country deserve our respect. This is why I chose to highlight in a statement yesterday the military service of the vice presidential nominees selected by both major parties for the November election.
Since yesterday, I have watched the vitriol thrown around from veterans online diminishing both candidates’ service. It’s an ugly look for our community but is nothing new. We saw this type of mudslinging during the general election 20 years ago. However, I have heard the outrage over reports of military service record embellishment, something I take exception with. To that point, I feel it is important to reiterate in no uncertain terms the VFW’s position on false service claims, whether that person is running for political office or not.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars will not tolerate any individual who embellishes their military service for personal gain. If this is you, then you need to fix yourself.
As the nation’s largest and oldest major war veterans service organization, we are proud of the fact that every one of our members deployed to conflicts overseas at least once during their time in uniform. Many of our members have seen combat, have fought on the field of battle and shed blood in defense of freedom around the world. We don’t have to make ourselves or our service more than it was. The campaign medals, combat ribbons, combat badges, and scars we wear speak for themselves.
As the gap of time widens between major wars, so too does the divide between those who have served and those who have not. It is up to all veterans to remind the rest of America of the sacrifices made on their behalf and help them to understand what military service means. If you wore the uniform of the US military at any point in your life, be honest about your service and accomplishments. No matter what you did while you were in, what rank achieved or whether you served 4 or 24 years, you will always be able to say with pride and dignity that you did what your country asked you to do.”