Stolen Valor, an introduction

Jack E. Kemp

I've been reading a lot of things lately, including some books on the psychology which lead me to some on the psychology of war and fighting, written by actual veteran authors. Yesterday I got in the mail a copy of "Stolen Valor" by B.G. Burkett and Glenna Whitley, about how Vietnam vets were badly treated and their complex tales. I just skimmed it for now.

I rushed to see the chapter on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and found its beginning had a very pragmatic angle. The first stories are about fake combat vets who claim to have PTSD so they get higher VA benefits, and how easy it is to fool a civilian doctor. A VA counselor, a former Special Forces vet from Vietnam who later studied psychology, became a de facto detective. One time he was invited to talk to a group of 8 vets who claimed to be Special Forces with combat related issues in a VA hospital counseling session. He brought documentation of his Silver Star, his Purple Heart, his jump wings, Special Warfare School certificate, etc. and started asking them questions. They got defensive (like some phoney 9/11 vets) and told him, "Man, you don't know what you're talking about!" After hearing them mispronounce some military slang, hearing them say they arrived in Vietnam in a certain unit in some year - that the counselor personally knew that unit didn't arrive until a year later, etc. - the counselor came to the conclusion they were all faking it. Some of these characters were actual veterans but did not serve in combat - the others may not have been veterans at all. The counselor also kept a written govt. list of when all units arrived in Vietnam to double check.

Both this combat vet counselor and the doctors are all but unwilling to file papers to throw phonies out of the VA hospital because the paperwork involved is long and complicated and involves legal fights. The counselor wouldn't even openly tell them they were phonies when he met them with their families. Being a combat vet was their identity, part of their life - even when it wasn't true.

Skipping around the book, I see that a few phonies actually got to themselves elected President or Vice President of a local VFW or similar vets' organization on the outside. These guys were outgoing and well liked - and even in one case where a phony was prosecuted by the government and found guilty, their buddies in the VFW still stood up for them, not believing a court proven conviction. That happened, in my opinion, because these charismatic guys offered their buddies a level of companionship, acceptance, and friendship that no civilian - shrink or regular citizen - could or did offer them.

The Special Forces vet/counselor once significantly helped a veteran who felt guilty about sending 8 troops under his command forward too fast (they were killed by US artillery). This happened when the counselor being the first person to tell this officer, "Yeah, you f***ed up." The civilian doctors wouldn't say that, gave the officer pills, resulting in his never having to face the guilt that was eating him until he met this veteran/counselor.

Yes, real life is complex. And I didn't know you could find this kind of realism admitted in a book.

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Comment by Kerry Bentivolio on November 26, 2011 at 6:45am: My fellow veterans, friends of veterans and those that care about veterans. I never imagined in my wildest dreams I would run for office, let alone US Congress. I am asking for your help in this noble endeavor. I bring an opportunity to return to a principled government, and the experience of being in the trenches as a former employee in manufacturing, as a soldier serving in Vietnam and Iraq, as a self employed contractor, a school teacher with a Masters, as a husband, father and grandfather. We can no longer afford to hire professional politicians to serve as our representatives BECAUSE they do not have the EXPERIENCE in living life as a real person. I have little desire to become a career politician. I want my freedom back! I want to control my own destiny. No one owes me a living nor do I want a hand out from anyone. I do want justice, opportunity and a smaller, non-intrusive, fiscally responsible, constitutional government, an ethical free market and sound money. I do not want my grandchildren forever indentured to an over-reaching debt ridden fascist government. I welcome your support. I'm still fighting and sincerely hope you will join me in this worthwhile endeavor to bring back a common-sense government. www.bentivolioforcongress.com Donate/volunteer/tell your friends. Join the fight!

Comment by Dave Koch on November 25, 2011 at 10:02pm: Roland Carter I know a lot more than I have said. It just pisses you off at the worthless idiots they have put in charge of our VAMC. I have many friends who are Veteran Advocates who have made me well aware of many things. There are some good Nurses and Dr's who tell you things also. Just glad my Primary is not Dallas as that VA is as different as day and night, but the Hospital end of it has been closed since the cutbacks in the 90's. Twice ths yr was taken to local Hosp by ambulance and the VA was full and authorized my stay , beat staying in Dallas VA.. I agree with Kerry, let us go to Regular Hosp and at our rates and to get better care.Those of us that have Heart , Back or Cancer problems will get the proper care outside the VA Hosp.

Those of us that served in War or even No War deserve to get the same care as the idiots in Washington that have Not earned the rights to get better treatment than those of us that fought for this Country. They are the ones commiting Fraud.

Comment by Roland C. Cartier Jr on November 25, 2011 at 6:27pm: Dave Koch, I could give you a little tid bit of intel as to why our VA Hospitals are not doing their job, I worked there for 10 years they are not only taken over by unions but not a damn one of the Directors are veterans themselves. Why am I not there? Because I was a veteran advocate and unearthed their dirty laundry so they gave me an ultimatum resign or we will retaliate other ways. Now i'm helping other veterans and like what I do now! I worked for the VA hospital in Bedford, Ma.

Comment by Kerry Bentivolio on November 25, 2011 at 2:52pm: 1. Sept/Oct '07 Fort Knox Medical Holding Unit. Soldier found dead for 4 days in his barracks room. Army said 12 hours, newspaper said 2 days. Boots on the ground said 4 days.

2. I waited 6 hours to be told the medication the doctor ordered was not in stock (Ireland Army Hospital) and come back on Thursday, it was Monday. Thursday I waited 2 hours to find out they forgot to order the medication. I could have went off post and had the medication in 1/2 hour at Walmart.

3. Ordered to stand on a street corner for a bus van ride to the DFAC and be ready NLT 0700 hours. I was promptly picked up at 0700 for the ride. Upon arrival we found the DFAC closed at 0700 hrs. It took two weeks to change the contract to allow us an earlier pick-up time. Not allowed to drive to the DFAC because of my neck injury I rented a car anyway.

4. Young soldier standing in Class A in the smoking area, duffle bag and envelope in his hands. Small talk led to asking what brings him to the unit. He shook his belly and I heard rattling noises. "They forgot to remove the clamps," he said.

5. I threatened to go AWOL if not released from the holding unit. At my rank it would have made headlines. Three weeks later they let me go and stay home as an out patient.

6. VA application followed (by order of my CO here in my Guard unit). Eleven months later I get a call from Detroit VA informing me they lost my medical records and if I had hard copies.

7. Upon Obama's election and then his socialized medicine policy for what is now referred to as OBAMACARE placing the Federal Government in charge of civilian medical care? Insanity?

Now you have a slight understanding of why I am running for public office. I received 50% disability rating for a neck injury, and a check every month for $845.00 for falling off a road in Iraq (It was midnight, and there was a loud noise - I was slightly distracted and wasn't watching where I was walking.) When I see a VA notice my stomach churns. When I see the check deposit my stomach churns. If it weren't for the wife I'd give the money back.

I want to eliminate the VA hospital and issue soldiers a card to go where ever they can get the best treatment in the private sector. It won't be a blank check and there will be sever penalties for fraud.

Comment by Darwin Rockantansky on November 25, 2011 at 2:39pm: John Bowens, I hear your frustration and anger and share much of it myself. I was in the 2nd Surgical Field Hospital in Chu Lai base camp for about a week. Seems that a stupid little - and I do mean little - piece of shrapnel in my hand set up blood poison which had reached mid chest by the time I got into Chu Lai. When the doctor came around on what ever day he told me that he could have me medivaced to Japan. I thanked him for his kind concern and put on my uniform and hiked 35 miles back to my unit - alone and on foot.

One minor point. I do not have a CIB. How could I have. I was never there doing things that were never done.

Nor do I deserve one. Mine was a different war than that of those who pulled mass unit operations.

Stay strong brother and do not let your anger get the best of you.

Anger is cancer of the soul.

Darwin Rockantansky

Las Vegas, Nevada

Comment by Dave Koch on November 25, 2011 at 1:54pm: You ever wonder why the Health Care at the VA is so bad. Here is the real reason, the Unions are in charge of our Medical Care Facilities in the VA System. Think about it my fellow Veterans. The Unions destroy everything they touch in America. I have seen some of the most appalling service and treatment at the Dallas VA. If I had Ins I wouldn't be going there. I am disabled, but not thru the Military. My wife has been looking for a job for 18 months and that has affected the right treatments I need. I know first hand the way we were treated when coming back from SE Asia as I returned 2 days after the Kent St killings and the way we were treated when we came home was a nightmare. I did not want anything from my Gov't at all, but have been forced into it. Until the Unions are removed from our VA System the treatment will always suck. As long as there are Foreign Dr's working at our VA Hosp we will get crappy service, As long as they keep hiring those idiots from the Rehab Centers we will get crappy treatment. Dallas VA is well known for that. When a Veteran has to call 911 to get help or a vet lays dead in his bed for over 8 hrs we have Major problems. These things happened in Dallas. There are those that do care very deeply that have dedicated their life to helping Veterans that do deserve to be helped, my hats off to those dedicated Men and Women.

Comment by Pat Chadwell on November 25, 2011 at 1:52pm: Besides all info is good be it small or large.. We need everyones thoughts...Because time is running out...

Comment by Jack Kemp on November 25, 2011 at 1:51pm: John Bowens, there is no need to apologize for posting a long one here. What is happening - and I've seen this happen a number of times over the last 7 years of writing - is that a topic I start becomes an online community discussion board for like-minded commenters other than myself. They talk to each other. I'm glad to have started this for your use.

Comment by Kerry Bentivolio on November 25, 2011 at 9:24am: I am running for public office. Performing and doing the work is not really an issue with me. I can do it without being sucked into the BS. I have a great team to keep me on the correct path. My biggest fear, my great issue, my haunting task before me, is not one of doing what I promise on the campaign trail, that is the easy part, it is meeting the expectations of the ghosts. To measure up, to bestow lasting honor, to be worthy of their sacrifice. To live the respect each and everyday. To walk the talk. When I stumble the ghosts pick me up. I imagine a soldier behind me saying, "pick it up and get your ass in gear!" I trudge on, pushing forward. Smiling, smiling mind you, at my crazy imagination. No, I think once elected I will visit the Memorial everyday before office hours. I can get up earlier, find a routine that takes me past the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Perhaps every other day I can visit one or the other. Yes, a good reminder to "pick it up and get my ass in gear," motivation for the day's challenges. The cold or wet weather will not prevent it, nor office duties. Yes, I can do it. A fitting extra duty I welcome, a prayer and a salute in their behalf. Yes, this is the least I can do, everyday I am there. I found my answer... It is a good thing. Thanks! Thanks for the opportunity to write this. May the light of freedom forever shine brightly on your face.

Comment by Darwin Rockantansky on November 25, 2011 at 8:32am: Kerry, one thing is for certain - you are not alone. As I have said in a previous post, somewhere in an alcoholic haze, I hit rock bottom. By the grace of God, I only hurt myself and those close to me and no more innocent civilians. When I managed to get my act together and crawled back out of the abyss, I did so in the blessed isolation of intense computer work although I never thought about myself as being isolated. When I returned to this country in the early 1980s, I was an officer in a major corporation in San Francisco and it was the first time that I say people claiming to be veterans begging in the subway stations and on the streets of the financial district. I know now that my discomfort and shame was more about what is called "survivors guilt" than anything else.

I visited the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial in Washington DC just once and I know that I cannot do it again. The Mobile Wall was in my area in California several times and I knew that I could not visit it because I knew that I had to eventually make my pilgrimage to The Wall in DC. When I did finally make that journey, I did so in the company of the only Vietnam Veteran that I was still in contact with: my father. Father and I were in Vietnam at the same time but we were in different wars. Father worked in an air conditioned SigInt unit attached to an infantry division in Pleiku and I was with a different type of organization in the I-Corp. We entered the memorial from the right side and proceeded to the peak at the bottom of the V formation... at which point I collapsed; Father had to help me climb back to the surface. The memory of that day more than thirty years ago is still fresh in my mind. I know that I cannot repeat that journey for fear of losing whatever grasp I may have on reality; too much pain and anger mercifully buried in the past that I have no desire to dig up.

I choose not to look back. I choose not to be angry at an ungrateful nation. I choose to look forward and to rededicate myself to service to country and to keeping my oath to defend this country from all enemies; both foreign and domestic. However, somehow I am not convinced that I will ever get over the guilt issue.

Stand Tall, be thankful that you and I and others have managed to walk through the dark places in our minds and emerge back into the light. Be humbly proud of that and continue to do what we can to restore this once great nation for which we and our families have given so much.

Darwin Rockantansky

Las Vegas, Nevada

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