Wannabe veterans need to be exposed

The story, in both the Colfax Record and Auburn Journal regarding the lies of Graig Sultana, is an unfortunate mess for all sides. Sultana is glib and pleasant. By all accounts a likeable and energetic man. Unfortunately, he's a self-promoter, a fraud and has a need to claim something he's not. He claims Vietnam POW status and cites a national security basis for his lack of ability to discuss covert activities in Laos. In fact, Sultana was never a prisoner of war. I have to tell Sultana, and any other "wannabes," that you can all quit claiming to be former "Special Ops." There's no possible "national security" basis anymore for information that's 30 to 35 years old. Nor does one "forget the Marines and all that" who rescued him from a POW camp and captivity. Whenever my partners pulled my bacon out of the fire, I never forgot. That wasn't combat, it was policework. But the armed conflict basis is somewhat the same. It sometimes wakes you up at 2 a.m. But you don't forget. Ever. Sultana reveals the worst in some pretenders. These self-serving frauds have some perverted need to claim veteran or POW status. Whenever I see a group of "Veterans" for Peace, or similar protesters, I often wonder what percentage of their members have never been closer to the military than the surplus store where they bought their field jackets. I've faced people on the street and had them claim Vietnam veteran status. When I checked their identity I often saw dates of birth from 1959 to 1962 and even later. Light questioning about the military usually reveals someone who's a fraud and I encourage veterans and officials to routinely do that. There's a language and knowl edge base that only veterans have and it's an exotic one. But how many phonies are really out there? It's a valid question and one that needs to be investigated and consistently pursued. In Sultana's case, the damage he's done is more than average. As leader of the VFW Post, he actively deceived veterans who didn't deserve to have a phony in their midst. Sultana was also the "planning director" and heavily involved in our local community. With this revelation of Sultana's lies, that agency is going to have to review every decision Sultana made in his various jobs. His credibility is gone. Sultana is also reportedly facing jeopardy from federal law violations for his fraudulent claims. Let's clean up the lies and liars. Don't tolerate "wanna-bes" whether in veterans groups, peace movements, or anywhere in society. Make sure those who are veterans, deservedly claim veteran's status and get the benefits. Don't allow pretenders and frauds to steal. The liars steal their own honor. They steal the public trust. They steal from real veterans who deserve better. And they also steal from the community at large. Defend our veterans and unmask "wannabes." Put them behind bars. They've tried hard for it. They've got it coming. They richly deserve it. Try them, and if they're found guilty ... let's deliver. Rocky WarrenU.S. Army veteran and retired Sheriff's Department SergeantColfax