The case for HR 666: The Military Valor Roll of Honor Act
Doug Sterner is a decorated Vietnam veteran and noted military historian, perhaps best known for his essential work in support of the Stolen Valor Act of 2005 and for compiling the most comprehensive database of military valor award citations available. In this video he states the case for HR 666: The Military Valor Roll of Honor Act. This legislation would mandate a federally-administered database of military valor award citations. This is not only a Stolen Valor issue, but a critical measure that would ensure very real veterans and their families are able to secure the benefits to which they are entitled. Over the years and in addition to his other many projects, Doug has helped hundreds of veterans and their families locate service records and award citations lost by the Department of Defense. Because of his efforts, these veterans were able to demonstrate their eligibility for VA benefits and proper recognition for their service and sacrifice, including receiving burial in national cemeteries with full military honors.
The Department of Defense has issued a brief report in opposition to such a database. The DoD claims, among other things, that a valor awards database is unnecessary because the Congressional Medal of Honor Society maintains a Medal of Honor database, and a comprehensive Military Valor Roll of Honor would be ineffective because identifying information would have to be redacted from some citations. Doug eviscerates the DoD’s arguments in his excellent response piece here.
Please familiarize yourself with HR 666: The Military Valor Roll of Honor Act here and at Doug Sterner’s www.HomeOfHeroes.com/rollofvalor and write to your local Congressional representative for their support, especially if they appear on this list.
The LEAST our Nation owes to those who have served is to properly preserve for history, and for their children and grandchildren, an accurate history of that veteran's service, sacrifice and heroism.
