Mr. McDonald, what you did goes way
beyond a lie! You have called it a “Misstatement” among other
misleading phrases. Maybe you think that is what you did, but,
giving a small amount of credit to your West Point education I have
to deduce that you know differently. I will not waste time pointing
out the obvious about definitions, but will explain a couple of
things that even you will not take as a “misstatement”.
First, what you did was state to a
veteran on national television that you were in “Special Forces”.
That sir is not on your DD 214 so it is a lie. As of lately (Time
of order) that is a punishable crime, “regardless” of what you
call it. This law was enacted to protect the Honor and Integrity of
those men and women who serve/served our great country. You
belittled his unit by “misstating” about sharing an experience
you never had. It is one thing to exaggerate an experience, but to
completely fabricate is totally a step down in deceit.
Second, you stated that you were in the
82nd Airborne Division known as “Americas Guard of
Honor”. While this unit is an elite fighting unit it is “NOT”
Special Forces. You lied. Furthermore,as a West Point Graduate you
would have been an officer in the 82nd which not only
should discourage you from misrepresenting your past unit, but also
places you in a position of the highest integrity, honor and
commitment. I carry a “Challenge Coin” which bares the colors of
the 82nd because I am a veteran of HHC 1st
Brigade and 2/504th Infantry. I Still remember the
proudest day of my life as a soldier when they pinned my wings on my
chest, and I put on my maroon beret(At hat time they were the only
ones who wore the maroon beret) The Integrity that was instilled in
me by my peers as well as all in my chain of command taught me to
“NEVER” dishonor my unit, my fellow soldiers,my Army or my
country. By doing so showed disrespect to every veteran who ever
stood before me and brought weakness to those who would follow me.
By not being in Special Forces you brought dishonor to men of the
82nd. I ask of you to please at least attempt to restore
some of that by claiming the wrong and righting it!
Third, as the Head of Veterans Affairs
for the VA, as a veteran, as a former officer, not only should be
held accountable, as anyone should, but, more so. You sir(And I
hesitate using that because I have lost all respect for you) should
be held to the highest of all standards and regulations. Lead by
example is not just a bumper sticker to an 82nd or any
other veteran, it is a part of our foundation as soldiers. How can
anyone keep FAKE soldiers, or “Misstated” soldiers in line or
prosecute them, if one of the highest men in the ranks of veterans is
getting away with it? We would “NOT” accept an apology from
anyone else, so I ask....
Mr. McDonald,why should you not accept
responsibility and punishment for your careless and dishonorable
actions? You did lie and were caught. I am not saying step down,
but I am say that you cannot let yourself go unpunished.
I ask anyone who reads this to please
re-post this, bring it to his attention,POTUS attention, and anyone
else's attention who may get results! When it comes to HONOR and
ITEGRITY there are no such things as small infractions. You either
have them or you do not! I refuse to accept Mr. McDonald's apology
and its empty gesture! If he can get away with it, there should be no
need to prosecute any other person in the US.
