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    Default Stolen Valor: Fake Green Beret Forced to Shut Down Honor Guard Group

    Stolen Valor: Fake Green Beret Forced to Shut Down Honor Guard Group

    Pictured here, Papotia Reginald Wright's military record does not support his claims to have been in Special Forces. According to investigations by multiple groups, the supposed Special Forces veteran vastly inflated his military service to include medals for valor. (COURTESY OF GUARDIANS OF THE GREEN BERET)
    Pictured here, Papotia Reginald Wright's military record does not support his claims to have been in Special Forces. According to investigations by multiple groups, the supposed Special Forces veteran vastly inflated his military service to include medals for valor. (COURTESY OF GUARDIANS OF THE GREEN BERET)
    3 Jan 2018
    Stars and Stripes | By Stephen Carlson
    WASHINGTON -- Papotia Reginald Wright started the 8th Special Forces Regiment New York Honor Guard more than a year ago to perform burial services for veterans. But according to investigations by multiple groups, the supposed Special Forces veteran vastly inflated his military service, including medals for valor, and his group has since shut down.

    Wright claimed to be a retired command sergeant major from Special Forces and used his fraudulent claim to run a veterans service organization with no official nonprofit status in Brooklyn, N.Y., according the state Attorney General's office. Military records seen by Stars and Stripes show he served in the Army from 1982-90 as a truck driver who never ranked higher than a specialist -- a far cry from his claims of combat service.

    Photographs show Wright in full dress uniform at promotional events including a New York Giants game. Most of his decorations -- a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and others -- are allegedly fake, according to Steve Antson from Guardians of the Green Beret, a watchdog group that works to expose people pretending to be part of Special Forces.

    According to federal law under the Stolen Valor Act, it is a crime to lie about military awards for monetary or other tangible benefits.

    Wright, who goes by "Reggie," told Stars and Stripes that his rank is honorary, not an attempt to mislead.

    "Because I started the unit (the Honor Guard), I was the top NCO there," he said. Wright has said he never claimed to be in Special Forces specifically, but that he drove trucks for the 75th Ranger Regiment and 5th Special Forces Group as an attachment.

    As part of the Army's Authorized Provider Partnership Program, organizations like Wright's can perform military honors for funerals of former military personnel or honor guard ceremonies for events. "When they couldn't take up the slack, we were called," Wright said of the Army.

    According to its now-defunct Facebook page, the "8th Special Forces Regiment New York Honor Guard is a Veteran Service Organization (VSO) that renders final honors to Veterans with an Honorable Discharge or General Discharge with Honorable conditions." It is based at the Park Slope Armory building on 8th Avenue in Brooklyn.

    The name is an apparent reference to the 8th Special Forces Group, which conducted counterinsurgency operations and training in the backdrop of the Cold War in Latin America. The unit was disbanded in 1980.

    The Guardians of the Green Beret said they have been aware of the Honor Guard for about two months, after being alerted by another watchdog organization called Guardian of Valor that Wright was exaggerating his military service to promote the Honor Guard.

    Wright claimed he had been part of the "Black Hawk Down" incident in Mogadishu in 1993 that led to the deaths of 18 U.S service members, Antson said. Wright's service ended in 1990, according to his personnel record.

    Multiple people confirmed to Antson that Wright told the story of an enemy fighter who snuck up behind him and cut his kidney out. "He's saying he is walking around with half a kidney," he said. Wright never received a Purple Heart, according to his military records.

    An official at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, who wasn't perm................

    I simply can not understand why anybody in this day and age accepts what a person says about their past service without a shred of proof of that person even having ever served in our military.. These kinds of worthless liars that claim military service or heroic deeds in service are lowest of the low-as they steal from those that actually honorably serve...
    Internet is plagued by tens of thousands liars that inflate or else outright lie about who and what they are..
    Some are easy to spot, others are not....... A sad reality in this modern age....-Tyr
    18 U.S. Code § 2381-Treason Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.

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  3. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tyr-Ziu Saxnot View Post
    I simply can not understand why anybody in this day and age accepts what a person says about their past service without a shred of proof of that person even having ever served in our military.. These kinds of worthless liars that claim military service or heroic deeds in service are lowest of the low-as they steal from those that actually honorably serve...
    Internet is plagued by tens of thousands liars that inflate or else outright lie about who and what they are..
    Some are easy to spot, others are not....... A sad reality in this modern age....-Tyr
    It completely sucks!

    I have met a couple out and about that bragged about service they never did, and shot them down
    on the spot.

    My own brother is one. He bragged about being a Master Gunnery Sargent, but never made it past 6 years in the
    Marine Corps - discharged at his highest rank of Buck Sgt, Dishonorable. In the 'Nam era, that was quite a feat.
    My final straw was when he told our newly married Step Dad that he was a 30 year Vet, retired LT Colonel.
    I dismantled him as a moderator at Military.com and our local home newspaper.

    I cannot stand a poser!
    Last edited by Elessar; 06-19-2019 at 06:27 PM.
    I have lost my mind. If found, please give it a snack and return it?

    "I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same of others"...John Wayne in "The Shootist"

    A Deplorable!

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    Quote Originally Posted by Elessar View Post
    It completely sucks!

    I have met a couple out and about that bragged about service they never did, and shot them down
    on the spot.

    My own brother is one. He bragged about being a Master Gunnery Sargent, but never made it past 6 years in the
    Marine Corps - discharged at his highest rank of Buck Sgt. My final straw was when he told our newly married
    Step Dad that he was a 30 year Vet, retired LT Colonel. I dismantled him as a moderator at Military.com and our local
    home newspaper.

    I cannot stand a poser!
    Some liars that say military service can be spotted as liars if one judges their character and way of communicating.
    Especially if they claim a long service record--as that alters the way they speak to others in several discernible ways, if one has the knowledge and pattern recognition ability that some of us are blessed to have.
    To me it is sickening the way some get away with it because --others -- just take their damn word for it --as if they can not or else do not lie.
    To take an unknown users enhancement of their standing in regards to military service--without any proof whatsoever is to me being extremely gullible and a bit irresponsible to boot.
    Such people are almost always arrogant egotists. And have an insane prima donna complex--craving attention..--Tyr
    18 U.S. Code § 2381-Treason Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Tyr-Ziu Saxnot View Post
    Some liars that say military service can be spotted as liars if one judges their character and way of communicating.
    Especially if they claim a long service record--as that alters the way they speak to others in several discernible ways, if one has the knowledge and pattern recognition ability that some of us are blessed to have.
    To me it is sickening the way some get away with it because --others -- just take their damn word for it --as if they can not or else do not lie.
    To take an unknown users enhancement of their standing in regards to military service--without any proof whatsoever is to me being extremely gullible and a bit irresponsible to boot.
    Such people are almost always arrogant egotists. And have an insane prima donna complex--craving attention..--Tyr
    A trained eye and mind will spot the posers in an instant.

    It is all military bearing, humility, and quiet honor.
    Posers like to bedeck themselves in easily bought miniature medals, badges, and ribbons.
    That irritates me. All I wear in public is a shirt or two that simply say U.S.Coast Guard.
    Got a ball cap from my old SAR Station that has a miniature Coxswain's badge. I don't
    wear it any more. It goes with the rest of my stuff to my son.
    I have lost my mind. If found, please give it a snack and return it?

    "I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same of others"...John Wayne in "The Shootist"

    A Deplorable!

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    Quote Originally Posted by Tyr-Ziu Saxnot View Post
    I simply can not understand why anybody in this day and age accepts what a person says about their past service without a shred of proof of that person even having ever served in our military.. These kinds of worthless liars that claim military service or heroic deeds in service are lowest of the low-as they steal from those that actually honorably serve...
    Internet is plagued by tens of thousands liars that inflate or else outright lie about who and what they are..
    Some are easy to spot, others are not....... A sad reality in this modern age....-Tyr
    Awhile ago I tried to initiate a service-verification program where anyone on the board wanting a Veteran logo by their name submit Privacy-info-redacted service records to Staff. I've see the program used on Military-centric forums. I'd still support that here.
    “… the greatest detractor from high performance is fear: fear that you are not prepared, fear that you are in over your head, fear that you are not worthy, and ultimately, fear of failure. If you can eliminate that fear—not through arrogance or just wishing difficulties away, but through hard work and preparation—you will put yourself in an incredibly powerful position to take on the challenges you face" - Pete Carroll.

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    Quote Originally Posted by darin View Post
    Awhile ago I tried to initiate a service-verification program where anyone on the board wanting a Veteran logo by their name submit Privacy-info-redacted service records to Staff. I've see the program used on Military-centric forums. I'd still support that here.
    I'd welcome that as it seems a prudent thing to do.
    And if done, the question about the truth of actually truly having military service would be rendered mute.
    I know there has been several come here in the past that lied about it.
    Why not have it verified and end the controversy, unless such can not be verified.
    I can not see any reason a person would oppose it!???
    Unless that person was lying about it from the start...----Tyr
    18 U.S. Code § 2381-Treason Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.

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    Quote Originally Posted by darin View Post
    Awhile ago I tried to initiate a service-verification program where anyone on the board wanting a Veteran logo by their name submit Privacy-info-redacted service records to Staff. I've see the program used on Military-centric forums. I'd still support that here.
    yeah, we tried that sometime ago. Few of us even sent documents showing proof of service/rank etc. but it never really took off. I think there is potential of stolen ID (never mind stolen valor) if the board got hacked or whatever. I believe all of us vets currently on this board are pretty much straight shooters. Except Gunny. I thin Gunny was really a USMC proctologist because he knows so much about a**holes....just sayin. JUST KIDDING!!!

    On side note, if I had a nickel for every person claiming to be Special Forces/Ranger/Command Specialist/Purple Heart/Medal of Honor/Space Shuttle door gunner, I would be a rich SoB. Sometimes you can tell right off the bat if someone is a poser.
    I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
    Thomas Jefferson


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    Quote Originally Posted by CSM View Post
    yeah, we tried that sometime ago. Few of us even sent documents showing proof of service/rank etc. but it never really took off. I think there is potential of stolen ID (never mind stolen valor) if the board got hacked or whatever. I believe all of us vets currently on this board are pretty much straight shooters. Except Gunny. I thin Gunny was really a USMC proctologist because he knows so much about a**holes....just sayin. JUST KIDDING!!!

    On side note, if I had a nickel for every person claiming to be Special Forces/Ranger/Command Specialist/Purple Heart/Medal of Honor/Space Shuttle door gunner, I would be a rich SoB. Sometimes you can tell right off the bat if someone is a poser.
    was on the paratrooper forum awhile back - they had a system in place. Worked well. But that was a board geared for veterans and made probably more sense. What frustrates me is obvious hacks - be they liars or embellishes - use claims of service to try and bolster their point of views. Guess its okay to be frustrated. Really no measurable harm.
    “… the greatest detractor from high performance is fear: fear that you are not prepared, fear that you are in over your head, fear that you are not worthy, and ultimately, fear of failure. If you can eliminate that fear—not through arrogance or just wishing difficulties away, but through hard work and preparation—you will put yourself in an incredibly powerful position to take on the challenges you face" - Pete Carroll.

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    Quote Originally Posted by darin View Post
    was on the paratrooper forum awhile back - they had a system in place. Worked well. But that was a board geared for veterans and made probably more sense. What frustrates me is obvious hacks - be they liars or embellishes - use claims of service to try and bolster their point of views. Guess its okay to be frustrated. Really no measurable harm.
    Telling war stories among vets is one thing. Pretending to be something or someone you are not (whether the intent is to sate your own ego or gain some material advantage) is another.

    Truthfully, I tend to give folks the benefit of the doubt. I have a neighbor (lives right next door) in his 90's who was in the Army a during WWII. Never brags but we talk about our service every once in a while. He was a truck driver in the RED BALL Express (google it!). Served 4 years and got as a PFC..... I have the utmost respect for that guy and would do just about anything for him. Then there is the kid across the street who is trying to convince me he is a bad ass Ranger with 6 combat tours. Come to find out, he is in the Civil Air Patrol and barely old enough to go outside by himself.
    I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
    Thomas Jefferson


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  19. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by CSM View Post
    yeah, we tried that sometime ago. Few of us even sent documents showing proof of service/rank etc. but it never really took off. I think there is potential of stolen ID (never mind stolen valor) if the board got hacked or whatever. I believe all of us vets currently on this board are pretty much straight shooters. Except Gunny. I thin Gunny was really a USMC proctologist because he knows so much about a**holes....just sayin. JUST KIDDING!!!

    On side note, if I had a nickel for every person claiming to be Special Forces/Ranger/Command Specialist/Purple Heart/Medal of Honor/Space Shuttle door gunner, I would be a rich SoB. Sometimes you can tell right off the bat if someone is a poser.
    @Gunny going to be


    "The government is a child that has found their parents credit card, and spends knowing that they never have to reconcile the bill with their own money"-Shannon Churchill


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  21. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by darin View Post
    Awhile ago I tried to initiate a service-verification program where anyone on the board wanting a Veteran logo by their name submit Privacy-info-redacted service records to Staff. I've see the program used on Military-centric forums. I'd still support that here.
    NOT EVER HAPPENING here. If you guys want to question the service of folks you never met before, so be it, but it's not happening on my dime.
    “You know the world is going crazy when the best rapper is a white guy, the best golfer is a black guy, the tallest guy in the NBA is Chinese, the Swiss hold the America's Cup, France is accusing the U.S. of arrogance, Germany doesn't want to go to war, and the three most powerful men in America are named "Bush", "Dick", and "Colin." Need I say more?” - Chris Rock

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    And if folks don't like it here, or don't like the way I trust people, or the way the board is ran anymore.... ALL The way up top on the right hand side - 6 letter making up 2 words.

    I've ALWAYS done nothing but respect our military members, but I'll be damned if folks who don't like one another then start tossing stolen valor around.

    And if you think I'm a liar, or have an issue that I oppose it - see paragraph 1 above.
    “You know the world is going crazy when the best rapper is a white guy, the best golfer is a black guy, the tallest guy in the NBA is Chinese, the Swiss hold the America's Cup, France is accusing the U.S. of arrogance, Germany doesn't want to go to war, and the three most powerful men in America are named "Bush", "Dick", and "Colin." Need I say more?” - Chris Rock

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    Quote Originally Posted by jimnyc View Post
    NOT EVER HAPPENING here. If you guys want to question the service of folks you never met before, so be it, but it's not happening on my dime.
    I'll NEVER give my private information again. Darin can call me whatever he likes. A long time ago when I was naive about message boards I joined USMB and gave Gunny my bonafides when asked well somehow a person who really hated me got ahold of that info and tried to get into my real life. I don't think Gunny did it and I doubt think Jim would either but noway Im exposing my family like that again.

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    Deleted out of respect for Kathy.

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    Quote Originally Posted by STTAB View Post
    I'll NEVER give my private information again. Darin can call me whatever he likes. A long time ago when I was naive about message boards I joined USMB and gave Gunny my bonafides when asked well somehow a person who really hated me got ahold of that info and tried to get into my real life. I don't think Gunny did it and I doubt think Jim would either but noway Im exposing my family like that again.
    Where does this come from? Honest question. I have never done any such thing to anyone, and don't recall any such incident. I hate rats and I hate loose lips more than "hating" you was ever even a blip on the radar.

    As far as the topic goes (I think we've done this one before), I have to just take it case by case. If it's actually hurting/scamming/otherwise enriching the person, then yeah, I have a problem with it.

    I kinda have a problem with some of the exposeRS as well. That's what you have to do with your life? Troll frauds and expose them on the internet? I think that says quite a lot.

    And I'm sorry, but the clown asses that get on with 13 Nam medals, 5 MOHs, An Army shirt with Marine chevrons on it and obviously is a total dumbass that can't even pass the test, been in every war since WWI ... I'm What can I say? Stupid people make me feel good
    “When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.” Edumnd Burke

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