re: Harrisburg police officer wrongly accuses veteran, 75, of 'stolen valor'

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I have almost no knowledge from memory with regard to the regulations governing wear of the uniform for civilian personnel who were formerly active duty, reserve or national guard members of the armed forces.

As such, I don't know whether Mr. Ford, who received his discharge in 1964, was in compliance with all governing regs.

In my experience, it is quite unusual for a civilian discharged in 1964 to wear his Class A uniform out in public to a community function called an "Artsfest", unless he was an active participant in a Memorial Day Ceremony, such as being part of a Color Guard. It's even more unusual for a man discharged in 1964 to don the CURRENT Class A uniform for any reason whatsoever.

I attended several Memorial Day ceremonies in recent years, and, at NONE of them, did I witness a civilian, ex military, who decided to wear the Class A uniform that is currently worn. None.

Even the Vietnam Vets Association, who performs the "Missing Man" ceremony, do not wear active duty Class A uniforms when they perform this ceremony and neither does their Color Guard.

In conclusion, my opinion is that, unless Mr. Ford participated that day in some kind of Memorial Day Ceremony, he was probably incorrect for his actions, particularly if he wore any part of the uniform incorrectly.

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Surely, you must be trolling, being sarcastic, or want to rack up down votes.

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Again, it is unusual for a lone civilian to do this. If there is a Veterans group in his area that has formal Memorial Day ceremonies, he should join that group and become an active member. I'm an active member of the VFW and DAV. I would advise Mr. Ford to join us. We do proper honors on Memorial Day, but, NONE of us wear active duty uniforms during these ceremonies.

The people who wear active duty Class A uniforms during these ceremonies are the speakers who are actually on active duty and speaking at our ceremony.

Of course, I don't condone the approach of the police officer, who certainly should have been more polite.

I do appreciate and applaud Mr. Ford's sincerity, but, what he did would be tantamount to me donning my Special Operations Command insignia for my Class A uniform and walking around town on Memorial Day looking like an active duty officer assigned to Fort Bragg. It's not appropriate, and it's not necessary, unless you are simply trying to say, "Hey! Look at me !!"

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The Army disagrees with your assessment...from AR 670-1 dated April 2015.

In addition to the occasions for wear listed above, retired personnel are authorized to wear the uniform only on the following occasions:
(1) While attending military funerals, memorial services, weddings, inaugurals, and other occasions of ceremony.
(2) Attending parades on national or State holidays, or other patriotic parades or ceremonies in which any active or reserve U.S. military unit is taking part. Uniforms for these occasions are restricted to service and dress uniforms; the combat uniform and physical fitness uniforms will not be worn.

As do the USMC...

8003. RETIRED PERSONNEL (INCLUDING FLEET MARINE CORPS RESERVE)
1. Retired officers and enlisted personnel not on active duty are entitled to wear the prescribed uniform of the grade held on the retired list when wear of the uniform is appropriate, and not specifically prohibited under the provisions of subparagraph 11002.1.

He was the bugler at a Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony. Maybe he was asked to wear his uniform.

From the article "He gives up his time volunteering for honor guard for veteran funerals"...does this sound like a

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"Hey! Look at me !!"

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man to you?

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it is not proper to do so unless the ex servicemember is in compliance with his service's height and weight regulations. Also, hair and facial hair must be in compliance with the regulations.

If a 75 year old ex Marine is in compliance with height and weight regs, and his hair and facial hair is in compliance with regs, and he's participating in Memorial Day activities with his Veterans Organization,

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Are you offering this as fact or opinion?

I know it's an unpopular opinion but, as a retired Soldier, I'm going to have to say that the entire concept of prosecuting someone for "stolen valor" is fricking absurd.

Now, if you use pretending to be a Soldier to gain some benefits only available to Soldiers, that's one thing.

But prosecuting you for playing dress up? Cmon. That makes no sense whatsoever.

This is really sad.

Thank you LCPL Ford for your service to our nation.

Harrisburg policeman and mayor are both POS. Man up and apologize publically to this vet.

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However, if he is not in compliance with height and weight regulations for active duty servicemembers, he is not authorized to wear the Class A uniform under any, repeat, any circumstances.

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How about Bill Guanere and Babe Heffron? I mean Bill is short a leg and Babe seems to have gained some weight since being in the Ardennes.

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Grooming Standards. Anyone who wears the Marine Corps Uniform must abide by the Marine Corps Grooming standards (paragraph 1004 and 8000.2 of the Uniform Regulations). Active duty/Reservists/Retirees and former Marines must also abide by the height and weight standards (paragraph 8000.2 of the Uniform Regulations).

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The examples that you provide are interesting. Thanks for your effort.

However, the issue revolves around USMC rules. Here is the governing rule for ex Marines, which clearly states that one who dons the current active duty USMC dress uniform must comply with height and weight regulations.

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Grooming Standards. Anyone who wears the Marine Corps Uniform must abide by the Marine Corps Grooming standards (paragraph 1004 and 8000.2 of the Uniform Regulations). Active duty/Reservists/Retirees and former Marines must also abide by the height and weight standards (paragraph 8000.2 of the Uniform Regulations).

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LINK

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8000. GENERAL
1. Any individual wearing the Marine Corps uniform is expected to reflect
the high personal appearance standards and esprit de corps that all Marines
in uniform represent. To this end, particular attention will be paid not
only to the correct and military wear of uniform components, but also to the
individual's personal and physical appearance.
2. All personnel exercising the privilege of wearing the Marine Corps
service or dress uniform will comply fully with Marine Corps grooming and
weight control standards.

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Ford has a tradition on Memorial Day. He dons his dress blue uniform, visits the cemetery, plays "Taps" on his bugle in a wreath-laying ceremony along the Susquehanna River, then attends Artsfest, where he looks for presents for his granddaughter.


Again, it is unusual for a lone civilian to do this. If there is a Veterans group in his area that has formal Memorial Day ceremonies, he should join that group and become an active member. I'm an active member of the VFW and DAV. I would advise Mr. Ford to join us. We do proper honors on Memorial Day, but, NONE of us wear active duty uniforms during these ceremonies.

The people who wear active duty Class A uniforms during these ceremonies are the speakers who are actually on active duty and speaking at our ceremony.

Of course, I don't condone the approach of the police officer, who certainly should have been more polite.

I do appreciate and applaud Mr. Ford's sincerity, but, what he did would be tantamount to me donning my Special Operations Command insignia for my Class A uniform and walking around town on Memorial Day looking like an active duty officer assigned to Fort Bragg. It's not appropriate, and it's not necessary, unless you are simply trying to say, "Hey! Look at me !!"

When we render Honors at ceremonies, it is never about "me".

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You sound like a complete pussy..Did I say sound? Sorry, I meant you are a complete pussy.

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These honored Heroes are not wearing the US Army's current service or dress uniform.

Great photo, however, thanks for sharing.

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shut the frick up. I call bullshite on you serving. STOLEN VALOR!!! Arrest this man!

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The problem is that the military standards are so fricking low that it's comprised primarily of losers.

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frick you.