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☖ Forums → Discussion Forum → Bay Area man accused of dressing up as war hero at high school reunion
12
Bay Area man accused of dressing up as war hero at high school reunion
2009-11-12, 10:54 PM #1
Pretty cowardly, although I'm having trouble deciding whether or not I feel that much effort (read: money) be put into prosecuting such a thing. Despicable nonetheless. And this comes out around Veterans Day, how appropriate.

:colbert:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/12/BAUD1AJ61L.DTL
2009-11-12, 11:12 PM #2
I honestly don't give a flying ****.

Then again, I'm Canadian. >_>

I mean, I do agree that he's a dick for lying about something like that, while there are others who actually are fighting. But to the extent of putting him in prison for it and wasting all that money on something so ridiculous? It's definitely being blown way out of proportion.
2009-11-13, 12:26 AM #3
Nice thread, dude. Want a ****ing medal?
Looks like we're not going down after all, so nevermind.
2009-11-13, 12:34 AM #4
I was going to make fun at the non-issue but I guess it's a bit more serious if the guy even has a blog where he reinforces his masquerade. I mean, who would pretend to be something s/he isn't on the Internet?
Star Wars: TODOA | DXN - Deus Ex: Nihilum
2009-11-13, 12:44 AM #5
Haha yeah, I bet in reality he spends most of his time on a computer doing something no one would remember in a few years time anyway!
Looks like we're not going down after all, so nevermind.
2009-11-13, 12:47 AM #6
I really just feel sorry for him... he must be a sad, sad man.
2009-11-13, 8:15 AM #7
Wow, I honestly didnt know that was a crime. I wonder what the penalties are for violations of the Stolen Valor Act.
My favorite JKDF2 h4x:
EAH XMAS v2
MANIPULATOR GUN
EAH SMOOTH SNIPER
2009-11-13, 8:59 AM #8
Everyone does that. I went to my 20 year high school reunion dressed as a bear.
:master::master::master:
2009-11-13, 9:26 AM #9
Quote:
Burton was arrested with the help of Colleen Salonga, a former high school classmate who is an actual Navy commander, authorities said.

Salonga saw Burton at their 20th high school reunion in October 2008 at the Concord Hilton. He wore the uniform of a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps, displaying the Navy Cross, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and other medals, federal prosecutors said.

Suspicious, Salonga asked Burton to have his picture taken with her. She turned over the photo to the FBI, authorities said.


god do we hate colleen
If you think the waiters are rude, you should see the manager.
2009-11-13, 9:29 AM #10
Originally posted by stat:
Everyone does that. I went to my 20 year high school reunion dressed as a bear.


It's not whether or not you were dressed as a bear, it's whether or not you were dressed as a highly decorated bear, statums.
2009-11-13, 11:00 AM #11
Let the guy dress up as a frickin' marine, what is it with you americans and this whole obsession with our-guys-in-iraq-who-are-doing-a-great-job-and-noone-can-insult-them-evaaaaah!
2009-11-13, 11:30 AM #12
Nobody sued Peter Griffin for being a millionaire astronaut cowboy at his reunion. I'd use the Griffin defense.
-=I'm the wang of this here site, and it's HUGE! So just imagine how big I am.=-
1337Yectiwan
The OSC Empire
10 of 14 -- 27 Lives On
2009-11-13, 11:35 AM #13
Originally posted by need help:
Let the guy dress up as a frickin' marine, what is it with you americans and this whole obsession with our-guys-in-iraq-who-are-doing-a-great-job-and-noone-can-insult-them-evaaaaah!


Thats not really the point. The Navy Cross is the second highest medal you can earn in the United States Military. I agree that sending him to court is a bit much, but its pretty disrespectful to pretend that you did earn one just because you want to show off to people from High School. Also what was with the Americans comment? I'm pretty sure any country doesnt want people impersonating war heroes.
[01:52] <~Nikumubeki> Because it's MBEGGAR BEGS LIKE A BEGONI.
2009-11-13, 12:10 PM #14
Originally posted by need help:
Let the guy dress up as a frickin' marine, what is it with you americans and this whole obsession with our-guys-in-iraq-who-are-doing-a-great-job-and-noone-can-insult-them-evaaaaah!


Its called respect, douche.



They should send this moron to Paris Island for a sentencing. Let him live out his fantasy, heh.
"They're everywhere, the little harlots."
-Martyn
2009-11-13, 12:12 PM #15
It's just generally not acceptable to impersonate any official. In this case I think the humiliation as a result of this being made public is enough. Maybe a small fine or sentenced to community service at a VA hospital.
"I would rather claim to be an uneducated man than be mal-educated and claim to be otherwise." - Wookie 03:16

2009-11-13, 12:17 PM #16
What a tool.
2009-11-13, 12:19 PM #17
Originally posted by need help:
Let the guy dress up as a frickin' marine, what is it with you americans and this whole obsession with our-guys-in-iraq-who-are-doing-a-great-job-and-noone-can-insult-them-evaaaaah!


You're right about one thing, and that's in your profile under Biography where you say your a "Crazy, Idiot, and... that stuff."

This has nothing to do with Iraq. This has to do with with military veterans being very highly regarded and respected in our society for their service, something you clearly aren't willing to understand and makes you just as bad, if not worse, than what you are claiming Americans to be. Feigning decoration on the level that this man is goes beyond dressing up as a naval officer for Halloween. He was making a life of this. He knows the importance of this type of thing in this country, and he should know better. You really have to feel sorry for the man, as somebody already said. It's truly a pathetic act, not to mention a huge slap in the face to the men and women who actually accomplished the things he is faking.
2009-11-13, 1:09 PM #18
Originally posted by need help:
Let the guy dress up as a frickin' marine, what is it with you americans and this whole obsession with our-guys-in-iraq-who-are-doing-a-great-job-and-noone-can-insult-them-evaaaaah!


Your username is perfect. I suggest you leave and get some.

Quote:
Burton, 39, is to go to trial in U.S. District Court in January on a misdemeanor count of unauthorized wearing of military medals or decorations. If convicted, he could be sentenced to as much as a year in prison.

He wasn't arrested for dressing up as a Marine. Then again, if you could read, you might know that already.

For those who don't recognize the significance of this "slap in the face" --

Quote:
“I would rather have the Medal of Honor than be President.” (President Truman)

Quote:
“For the impossible, one receives the Medal of Honor, for the almost impossible, the Distinguished Service Cross or the Navy and Air Force Crosses. These are indisputable proof that you performed with valor at great risk to yourself. ‘Sir, I’d rather be a second lieutenant with a DSC than a general without it,’ said George Patton in 1918” (Burkett 354).


Chapter 33, ยง704 of Title 18, U.S.C. has been established for quite some time, making it a crime to falsely claim to be a Medal of Honor recipient. The relatively recent (2006) legislation expanded that to other military decorations.

You don't expect to get away with pretending to be a police officer -- why should you expect to get away with pretending to be a highly ranked and very highly decorated Marine? Remember - the Navy Cross is second only to the Medal of Honor. It's far from just an attaboy.
woot!
2009-11-13, 1:34 PM #19
JLee has said it quite eloquently. This guy is scum.
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

Lassev: I guess there was something captivating in savagery, because I liked it.
2009-11-13, 11:49 PM #20
This isn't just an american thing either, in Australia it is (also) against the law to wear medals you have not earned.
If you are wearing medals earned by deceased love ones as a sign of respect or whatever on the appropriate day, you may wear it on your left side.
The right side may only be used by the person who earned the medal.
You can't judge a book by it's file size
2009-11-14, 4:43 AM #21
I wore a shrimp on a barbie on the right side of my chest when I collected my 4 Tony Awards a few years back.
Star Wars: TODOA | DXN - Deus Ex: Nihilum
2009-11-14, 8:38 AM #22
Originally posted by need help:
Let the guy dress up as a frickin' marine, what is it with you americans and this whole obsession with our-guys-in-iraq-who-are-doing-a-great-job-and-noone-can-insult-them-evaaaaah!

I would like to see you dress up as a Marine like he did and approach another actual serving Marine and see if you last more than five minutes before being beaten to a pulp.

It's a mockery of the men and women who are in our military. He's glad that there were no actual Marines there or didn't get wise.

As for the crime, I'd like to view it in the same context as impersonating a police officer. So the charges fit, I say.
Code to the left of him, code to the right of him, code in front of him compil'd and thundered. Programm'd at with shot and $SHELL. Boldly he typed and well. Into the jaws of C. Into the mouth of PERL. Debug'd the 0x258.
2009-11-14, 9:12 AM #23
Man, prison is going to be full of guys like
[http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RCgdGFB1QhM/SMTIXADO4yI/AAAAAAAAB7k/zSqzew8wr94/s400/208px-Gay_Marine.jpg]
[http://www.dgolds.com/photos/ALC6/images/006012NavyRestStop.jpg]
"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. " - Bertrand Russell
The Triumph of Stupidity in Mortals and Others 1931-1935
2009-11-14, 9:19 AM #24
Ummm

What did you search for to get those images?
2009-11-14, 10:13 AM #25
I agree with Squirrel King, how exactly did you find those?

Like Deadman said for Australia, there are similar regulations in Canada for improperly wearing medals and I also believe there's a law for impersonating a member of the military by wearing a uniform / rank that is not yours, much like the law for impersonation of a police officer. It's pretty common around the world, governments don't want people pretending to be in their armed forces when they actually aren't.
"You were probably a result of sabotage."
2009-11-14, 10:14 AM #26
Let's just say, it's not quite from the Bay area.
"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. " - Bertrand Russell
The Triumph of Stupidity in Mortals and Others 1931-1935
2009-11-14, 11:33 AM #27
What a cowardly dick.
2009-11-14, 12:26 PM #28
Originally posted by Squirrel King:
Ummm

What did you search for to get those images?


Hacked vin's computer.:XD:
"They're everywhere, the little harlots."
-Martyn
2009-11-14, 12:44 PM #29
his stolen one?
I'm proud of my life and the things that I have done, proud of myself and the loner I've become.
2009-11-14, 1:08 PM #30
Hey look, I'm the gay joke again.

And I don't believe in war heroes.
2009-11-14, 1:34 PM #31
Why not?
[01:52] <~Nikumubeki> Because it's MBEGGAR BEGS LIKE A BEGONI.
2009-11-14, 1:49 PM #32
Originally posted by Vin:
Hey look, I'm the gay joke again.

And I don't believe in war heroes.


I'm only picking on you, I could care less about your sexual preferences dude. You could rip on me for being straight and call it fair. Its all in good jest.
"They're everywhere, the little harlots."
-Martyn
2009-11-14, 2:38 PM #33
Originally posted by mb:
Why not?

Because joining the armed forces doesn't make you a hero. :P
nope.
2009-11-14, 4:38 PM #34
no, but if you win a Navy Cross.. you're PROBABLY a hero. :rolleyes:

And honestly, I don't think the penalties are severe enough for this horse-poo.
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

Lassev: I guess there was something captivating in savagery, because I liked it.
2009-11-15, 6:58 AM #35
Come back when you have a Victoria Cross. :P

:ninja:
nope.
2009-11-15, 7:08 AM #36
In my country no one would give a flying **** about something like this.

It's just cultural differences... *shrug*
ORJ / My Level: ORJ Temple Tournament I
2009-11-15, 7:38 AM #37
Originally posted by Sarn_Cadrill:
no, but if you win a Navy Cross.. you're PROBABLY a hero. :rolleyes:


This
[01:52] <~Nikumubeki> Because it's MBEGGAR BEGS LIKE A BEGONI.
2009-11-15, 9:17 AM #38
well.. I should have said "are awarded a Navy Cross" not win.. that makes it sound like the lottery or something.

(I'm just pre-emptively correcting myself for my poor choice of words)
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

Lassev: I guess there was something captivating in savagery, because I liked it.
2009-11-15, 9:25 AM #39
Originally posted by ORJ_JoS:
In my country no one would give a flying **** about something like this.

It's just cultural differences... *shrug*


Your country doesn't have a functioning military.
:master::master::master:
2009-11-15, 9:42 AM #40
Neither does yours. :P
nope.
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