[March 14, 2021] The story of Cinderella is a well-known folk tale about cruelty and triumph. A young woman, Cinderella, is living in appalling circumstances when suddenly her fortune changes but not without one big problem. Cinderella’s two stepsisters are an obstacle when they try to subvert the prince, looking for the one who fits the glass slipper. Her stepsisters are each a false hero.
“It starts off simple enough. A casual mention of military service. And, oh by the way, a Purple Heart and a few other honors earned. How can you not trust a man who served his country so gallantly?” – Stolen Valor at stolenvalor.com
After my first tour of combat duty in Iraq, I traveled home from Fort Sill, Oklahoma, when I saw a young man at the Atlanta Airport in full dress uniform. At the time, I was dressed in civilian clothes and enjoying myself eating a tasty hamburger at one of the fast-food joints when the uniformed man sat down at my table. He asked if I would buy him lunch.
This would become a long, sad story, so I will only hit the highlights. Immediately, I noticed that his medals included a Distinguished Service Cross (higher than the Silver Star medal). He perked up and told me how he had served with Major General Chiarelli, the 1st Cavalry Division commander, and how he earned the award. Things didn’t sit right because I didn’t remember any battle that the man talked about. I was one of Gen. Chiarelli’s senior Engineers and had a good knowledge of events.
After buying the man lunch and after many questions, it finally came out that the man was an imposter. He had never been in the U.S. Army and was in the airport to get “a free lunch and tell war stories.” I was not a happy person, and I asked him to leave the airport. I’m sure it did no good, but I reported him to airport security with the hope they would kick him out in the future.
This was “stolen valor” – the unauthorized wearing of military decorations and medals for the purpose of obtaining something of value. My point is that this young man was a false hero, not because he portrayed himself as someone he was not, but because he was an obstacle to other military personnel obtaining earned privileges.
Not unlike the two stepsisters of Cinderella, many false heroes become barriers to real heroes. This is a common theme in folk tales and ballads. The false hero appears near the end of a story claiming to be a hero. By testing, it is revealed that the claims are false. Usually, the false hero is punished, and the true hero (or heroes) is given his rightful honors.
False heroes are everywhere. Do not be fooled by them. Their talk is well-rehearsed, striking into your heart, and believable. Nevertheless, they are deceitful prophets that only bring shame upon others. They steal the valor and the goodness of others.
I like the whole idea of Stolen Valor that you have raised for us, Gen. Satterfield. Perhaps you could elaborate more on this. An article would be helpful for all of us so that we can see the links better and begin to understand them.
“False Heroes”, I never thought of it this way. False heroes in film are frequent and very common. An example includes the 1980 South African blockbuster film The Gods Must Be Crazy where the protagonist Andrew Steyn saves a group of schoolchildren from some rebels. Steyn’s rival Jack Hind acts as if he did the deed in front of both men’s love interest Kate Thompson.
The false hero is out there always looking for an advantage. Beware of him.
Once again, a great article. Well done, General Satterfield.
Gen. Satterfield, too bad you bought this fake guy some lunch. You should have just blown him off or called upon security to remove him in handcuffs. That he got some free food out of you only can encourage that behavior in the future.
I was thinking the same thing. Why not just tell him to get lost. I guess that is not what good people do. They try to figure out the problem and help with a solution. I just think this guy might have thought you were a sucker or something like that.
I’ve had an interest in ‘stolen valor’ as a common phenomenon. Perhaps not so common, just that I read a lot about it. Why would someone want to present themselves as someone who they are not? I guess we all wish we were heroes but actually become the false hero by stepping into their place. How sad it is when our society actually encourage this type of behavior by saying it is legal (in many cases illegal) thus morally acceptable. Funny how that works.
Max, you can thank our Supreme Court for making the Stolen Valor Act under Pres Bush unconstitutional. They saw it is free speech. To lie is constitutional. That is so, and I agree but we should point to those who make it all possible. They also encourage us to lie. That is what is so sad.
Ronny and Max, great points. You can now be convicted and sentenced to prison IF you get some material gain from the improper wearing of military uniforms and medals.
Right, Doug. That is how the law was modified.
H.R.258 – Stolen Valor Act of 2013
https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/258/
Go directly to the source and read it for yourself.
Thanks Big Al —
Stolen Valor Act of 2013 – Amends the federal criminal code to rewrite provisions relating to fraudulent claims about military service to subject to a fine, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both an individual who, with intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit, fraudulently holds himself or herself out to be a recipient of:
Very nice article for my morning read. I enjoyed it and learned a little at the same time. I’m sitting here with my iPad and with my dog at my feet. I just had a cup of coffee, so this article is just the right thing to get my morning started.
Yeah, you are fortunate. I’m already at work, have a couple of minutes, and am reading this as I go thru my emails and other regular web browsing. Pet your dog for me. Thanks. 👍
I have always like the Cinderella story. The theme, I suppose, is one of humans across time and culture. Maybe that is why it is so appealling, in that it is a common pattern in us all.