AMVETS REACTS TO STOLEN VALOR RULING

LANHAM, Md., July 19, 2010—This weekend, a U.S. District Court in Colorado ruled that the Stolen Valor Act of 2005 was unconstitutional and that the false claims of military service by phony veteran Rick Strandlof qualified as protected free speech.

AMVETS leaders balked at the decision, calling for an appeal and calling the court’s decision appalling and misguided.

“The veterans’ community has demonstrated time and again the actual harm Stolen Valor does to our nation’s veterans and the way these false claims can impact public perception of our nation’s heroes,” said AMVETS National Commander Duane J. Miskulin. “Every year, phonies defraud the government, non-profits and the general public of earned benefits and other charitable contributions to the detriment of real American veterans.”

The 9th U.S. District Court dismissed Stolen Valor charges against Strandlof, who had posed as a Purple Heart and Silver Star recipient, speaking at rallies and endorsing political candidates, all while raising funds for a phony veterans’ charity.

“Stolen Valor goes beyond telling a fish story at a bar to impress some strangers,” Miskulin said. “Especially in the case of Strandlof, he influenced political elections, curried personal favor and built a reputation as a veterans’ advocate off of his lies.

“Private citizens can’t lie about being a police officer, or a lawyer, or a doctor—they would have the book thrown at them. We view this in the same vein. Strandlof purported to be someone else in an effort to exploit people.”

Since the Stolen Valor Act was signed into law, more phony veterans have been exposed, but characters like Strandlof continue to emerge, spreading lies about their purported heroic military service.

Last year, AMVETS mobilized its effort to root out phonies by launching ReportStolenValor.org, where headlines of Stolen Valor are routinely updated and concerned citizens can find relevant contact information to root out fakers. AMVETS was the first major veterans’ organization to take up the cause.

About AMVETS:
A leader since 1944 in preserving the freedoms secured by America’s armed forces, AMVETS provides support for veterans and the active military in procuring their earned entitlements, as well as community service and legislative reform that enhances the quality of life for this nation’s citizens and veterans alike. AMVETS is one of the largest congressionally-chartered veterans’ service organizations in the United States, and includes members from each branch of the military, including the National Guard and Reserves. To learn more visit www.amvets.org.