A recent incident in Wetaskiwin saw another military poser found guilty of wearing fake medals under Section 419 (b) of the Criminal Code of Canada (Unlawful use of military uniforms or certificates).
Robert Cooper received a $1,500 fine, one year of supervised probation and 10 hours of community service.
A lot of these posers, like Robert Cooper, have actually served in the military. It seems that just being a veteran having, or not having, awarded medals isn’t good enough for some. Then there are those that want more not-awarded bling and wear fake jump wings, fake badges or other fake accoutrements. Having served just one day in uniform should be honour enough.
On Remembrance Day in Ottawa back in 2014, another military poser was exposed and it struck an emotive chord with Canadians coast to coast, particularly since the poser chose to appear at the National War Memorial, less than 75 metres from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the site of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo’s murder.
Frank Gervais was found guilty of wearing a fake military uniform and medals and was sentenced to 12 months of probation and 50 hours of community service. Frank Gervais had never served in the military.
The City of Red Deer saw its own fake veteran back in 2017 when Peter Toth, never having been a soldier a day in his life, decided to show up at three local schools during their Remembrance Day ceremonies wearing a fake uniform with fake medals.
Toth was found guilty of wearing the fake medals and holding a false military certificate. The charge of wearing a fake military uniform was dropped. He received 18 months of probation and 200 hours of community service.
And yet with these Stolen Valour posers being exposed in public and found guilty, more military posers continue with their charades. There are always a few under investigation at any point in time.
The RCMP are investigating a man in Surrey, B.C. who has appeared in the media as a homeless veteran with five medals. He has appeared at functions for the Royal Canadian Legion, received food vouchers from the Poppy fund that is to help veterans and is trying to get subsidized housing for veterans.
Currently, he has not been charged under Section 419 as the investigation is continuing. So far, he is alleged to not have any military service, alleged not to have earned any of the five medals that he has worn and alleged to have used his stories to receive financial assistance from different organizations while posing as a veteran.
One only has to attend services at a local cenotaph to find members of so-called veterans' service organizations wearing self-awarded medals, unearned hazardous skill badges and bogus insignia. Their selfish actions do nothing but insult the gallantry, dedication to duty, integrity, honesty and the sacrifices made by members of Canadian Armed Forces and other armed forces around the world. Yes, every country in this world has its own Stolen Valour perpetrators.
Some of these posers know how to toe the line with regards to Section 419 and not wear any uniforms, medals or badges, but still tell their fake poser stories of military service to anyone who will listen. Unfortunately, this is not a criminal offence but, morally and ethically, it is so wrong.
We remember the blood, sweat and tears that it took to earn a piece of metal attached to coloured ribbon, a strip of cloth or an embroidered badge, and that is why we get somewhat emotional about them.
Fakery is not flattery; it’s cold, calculated deception with the goal of having one’s self-esteem issues assuaged by basking in the reflected glory of honourable men and women who have selflessly served this great country.
One must ask how many receptions honouring veterans have these fakers been invited to due to their “special status and position of honour“ within their respective groups?
How many have attended sporting events, battlefield pilgrimages, provincial or national conventions? How many of these fakers, embellishers and outright fraud artists have received thanks for their service by an unsuspecting public?
If the answer is one, then even that is one too many. Please stop this and any form of Stolen Valour.
Thank you.
MCpl Michael Barclay, CD (Retired), is a former 21-year member of the Royal Canadian Air Force. He is a current resident of Innisfail.
