Stolen Valor Act of 2005

Michael Weilbacher, shown at the Marine Corps League’s birthday ball in St. Louis, is accused of wearing military decorations he did not earn, including the Navy Cross. - Photo courtesy of Doug Sterner Personnel records at Marine Corps headquarters’ manpower branch show no record of Weilbacher ever serving in the Corps. Manpower spokesman 1st Lt. Rob Dolan said, “I have more time standing on the yellow footprints than he does in the Marine Corps.”

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Stolen Valor Act of 2005, signed into law by President George W. Bush on December 20, 2006, is a U.S. law that broadens the provisions of previous U.S. law addressing the unauthorized wear, manufacture, sale or claim (either written or verbal) of any military decorations and medals. It is a federal misdemeanor offense, which carries a punishment of imprisonment for not more than 1 year and/or a fine; the scope previously covered only the Medal of Honor.

The Act was first introduced into the United States Congress’s House of Representatives on July 19, 2005 by Representative John Salazar, a Democrat from Colorado, as H.R. 3352. It was introduced into the Senate by Senator Kent Conrad, a Democrat from North Dakota, on November 10, 2005 as S. 1998. The Senate version was passed unanimously on September 7, 2006. The Senate version then went to the same House Judiciary Committee that held the House version. The Act briefly stalled, but the House subsequently passed the Senate version, S. 1998, on December 6, 2006.

The purpose of the Act is to strengthen the provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 704 by broadening its scope and strengthening penalties. Specific new provisions in the Act include: granting more authority to Federal law enforcement officers, extending scope beyond the Medal of Honor, broadening the law to cover false claims whereas previously an overt act had to be committed, covering mailing and shipping of medals, and protecting the reputation and meaning of military heroism medals.

The need for the Act came about because of large numbers of fake military heroes in the United States. For example, as of June 2, 2006 there were only 120 living Medal of Honor recipients, but there were far more known imposters. There are also large numbers of fake Navy SEALS and Army Special Forces, among others.

Stolen valor was a topic at our June 24 detachment meeting that generated a number of comments. This article is a follow-up to that discussion. ~ Rick

Veterans Can Always Salute Their Flag

Michael Smith brought this to our attenction recently. The Flag Code, Title 4, United States Code, Chapter 1 was amended with P.L. 110-116, 110th Congress, First Session, November 13, 2007 to read as follows.

§ 9. Conduct during hoisting, lowering or passing of flag
During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, those present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Citizens of other countries should stand at attention. All such conduct toward the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes.

Great Meeting Tuesday night, May 27, 2008.

We appointed a DETACHMENT ADJUTANT/PAYMASTER in the person of Larry Kreyer.

Detachment Adjutant/Paymaster Duties

1. Shall keep a true record of all meetings, typewritten or neatly hand written in ink in a ledger or log book; keep a record of all members and forward notices of meetings, events, etc., of the Detachment to the membership, and work closely with the Paymaster to maintain an up to date membership file of the Detachment active (paid up) and inactive (delinquent) members. The Adjutant shall also handle and keep a record of Detachment correspondence, as directed by the Detachment Commandant, and perform such other duties as directed by the Detachment Commandant.

2. Shall keep a true record of all monies received and expended by the Detachment, and in close cooperation with the Adjutant, prepares an up to date record of dues by the membership and forwards notices to members when their dues have lapsed and also such other duties as may be assigned by the Detachment Commandant.

Marine Corps League Department of California, Region 4 Coordinator, Dave Rendek

With that appointment, Adjutant/Paymaster Kreyer began receiving the dues, and issuing receipts. While he was doing this Marine Corps League Department of California, Region 4 Coordinator, Dave Rendek. began processing DD214s.

Query: Do you have names, addresses, and email of Marines? Please share those with us.

Next meeting: June 24, fourth Tuesday, 204 Patterson Rd., Orcutt, 7:00 P.M. Please add that to your calendar now. Bring your DD214 and First Year Dues.

Have you checked out our fabulous web site? http://www.cvdmcl.org. Public Information Officer, Rick Pushies has given us an excellent web site. And his email letter is excellent. Not receiving it? Contact Rick at: rick@pushies.com.

And Senior Vice Commandant, Robert Lopez, gave me the opportunity to speak Memorial Day at the Elks Memorial Park Service. You can find a copy of the talk, [ Here ]

IN GOD WE TRUST
Archie Miller

First Battalion Fourth Marines

Our Mission/Vision fire team, lead by Junior Vice Commandant, Myrl Wallace, have recommended that for, at least the remainder of the year, we focus on giving assistance to the First Battalion Fourth Marines.

The 1914-1979 Revolutionary trouble in Mexico precipitated the activation of the 4th Regiment of Marines at Marine Barracks, Puget Sound, Washington, 16 April 1914 under the command of Colonel Joseph A. Pendleton.

Their web site: [ 1stbn4thmarines.com ]

I know that Dave Swann, an Orcutt Resident, is one of these "China Marines." How many more are there in our area?

One of our members just gave Myrl Wallace 24 baby hats to add to the stuff he's taking down to the 1st Marines, 4th Batallion.

Social Security Offset Eliminated!

As March came to an end so did the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Social Security Offset. As a result of Public Law 108-375, the Social Security Offset for annuitants was eliminated effective April 1, 2008. The law provided for a phased-in elimination which began October 1, 2005, and ended March 31, 2008, with the last Social Security Offset deduction.

Prior to October 2005, at age 62 the SBP annuity was reduced because the beneficiary became eligible to receive the retiree’s Social Security benefits. Effective April 1, 2008, annuitants that had their annuity reduced by the Social Security Offset now have the offset removed. Annuitants that were eligible for the minimum annuity percentage of 35 percent prior to October 2005 are now entitled to the full 55 percent of the base amount. Annuitants who were receiving the Supplemental Survivor Benefit in addition to the basic benefit will also be paid at the new rate of 55 percent. The minimum annuity percentage is now 55 percent for all annuitants. For example: with a $1,000 base amount the annuitant should see an increase in monthly annuity to $550 (55% x $1,000).

This change occurred on your May 1, 2008 payment.

The above article is taken from: [ http://www.dfas.mil/rna-news/apr2008/socialsecurityoffset.html ]

Blue Ribbon Movie

Sergeant of Marines George Andresek shared this. This is really something - worth watching. About 3 minutes.

You never know when you will make a difference in someone's life.

[ www.BlueRibbonMovie.com ]

Got MotoMail?

"Family and friends of deployed Marines in Iraq can NOW send a letter to be downloaded, printed, and ready for delivery, usually within 24 hours.
THE SERVICE IS FREE, PRIVATE and SECURE."

How Does MotoMail Work?

1. Sender logs onto www.motomail.us to create the letter or takes a hand-written letter to a scanning location.
2. The letter is sent to the MotoMail server.
3. The designated USMC post office downloads the letter to a special machine which prints, folds and seals the letter.
4. The letter is delivered through unit mail call.
5. Unlike E-mail, it allows a Marine to keep a physical reminder of their loved ones with them at all times and can be read and re-read.

MotoMail Advantages Over Traditional USPS Mail

• MotoMail is a unique Marine Corps system.
• Delivery transit time - usually within 24 hours.
• FREE - No costs to individual users.
• Addresses are 100% correct - No misdirected mail.
• No contamination issues – Anthrax or computer viruses.
• Senders are required only to know unit address, not location.
• MotoMail augments USPS letter mail.

[ https://www.motomail.us ]