Man Standing Guard at School Is Phony Marine, Says He Is Deeply Sorry

Though the actions were wrong, they are well intended. If this is that mans means of tribute and an expression of free speech all well and good.
YES Stop this from continuing (in uniform) but because of laws that allow "Stolen Glory" to be a non crime just an insult to those that have served to go unpunished forget about it.

typical "end justifies the means liberal. He's a phoney, but liberals love phonies, they've elected one twice.

No one who has stood on the yellow footprints and gone through Marine boot camp would understand how what this person did is insulting to real Marines. We don't care how "honorable" his actions may seem to everyone else. We don't need a SHITBIRD trying to represent the Corps. Semper Fi.

HardcoreGOP, I'm a liberal and I think what he did was wrong. On the other hand, the people posting on my Facebook timeline and saying he shouldn't be dishonorably discharged and it's a disgrace how he's being treated are all Conservatives.

If you changed the name tag on the uniform like you said you did, theres not doubt that you did see the rank on the uniform. The guy was all about getting on tv and newspapers. Another fake trying to be in the spotlight.

That was exactly my thought. He changed the name, but didn't notice the rank? Bull****.

That's just a tad on the federal crime side, good intentions or not. You can't go around pretending to be a member of the armed services & have people buy into it. This isn't "dress up day" or Halloween.

Imagine Paul Revere riding through the countryside saying, "The British are ... The British are..."

Bottom line, where is the rest of the news? What happened to the phony marine? Was he reprimanded or arrested or what?

I agree that the rank should have been changed on the uniform but for this Marine to stand guard at a school UNARMED is not a crime but a deterrent to those who would harm children. I see no crime or action to be taken on this situation. If an armed person tried to enter the school , this man would be the first responder and may die doing the right thing.

He is a Marine, he is just not a Sergeant. I do not know his whole story, and yes the media and or him may have lied. However; he was out there making kids feel safe when they needed it. I am sure seeing a Marine in front of a school makes any parent, student, and teacher feel just a little safer. I wish more people would come together and see that this man was braver then most americans are. He enlisted in to the military, and was not able to defend his country as I am sure he would have. I am sure he would have laid down his life for you, like he is willing to stand in front of a school when there are copy cat killers out there right now, willing to attach a school and he was on the front line. let me ask you this question. Besides trying to make a name for yourself off this man, where are you? That uniform is a symbol that people respect, that uniform just being there makes bad intentions disappear. It is a symbol of hope. You should be ashamed of trying to make this good hearted man feel bad about bringing hope.

well said Brian. I wish there were more around just to make everyone feel safer at school...

I understand that you beleive in hope. However you don't understand that he disrepected our/my fellow Marines. Some of wich have gving thier lifes. He number earned the rank of Sgt, the title that we earn is no joke. It's not to be taken lightly. He had good intentions but bad thought process.

He is not Marine. He graduated boot camp but was discharged shortly after for medical reasons. A Marine would know not to wear that uniform in a public place if not in an official duty capacity. Even so, it would have been a dress uniform. I don't think he had good intentions, he wanted people to think he was something special. I don't think he was doing it for the kids. I have been a Marine for 16.5 hyears and I would not show up at my kids school in a utility uniform.

First, he is not a Marine. He went to Marine bootcamp but never graduated. Its safe to say that his intentions were to gain publicity and attention. If he was defending the school, why did he come up with the BS story about his deployments to Iraq. He did not present any signs of bravery. People are pretending to be service members more and more each day, lying to the public openly. This takes away from Americas true heroes...those who are being deployed, dodging the bullets, putting their life on the line daily. If he is so brave, why did he need the uniform.

@SgtColeman
So where were you while he was standing guard at this school did you even think to do the same I doubt you are even a Sgt you wrote "He number earned" should that have been He never earned I dont think he was joking or making a joke are you so worried abount rank or is it you are feeling guilty you did not do it!!! so you must point out any fault he made to make you feel better I thought all you Marines were supposed to stick together back each other not stick a knife in his back or through him under the bus

I agree with Sgt Coleman, as a former Marine who has served in Iraq; it is a form of disrespect to our fallen Marines. He could have chosen a different route to display his concerns. Semper Fidelis to all our veterans and troops still serving.

Italiad983, He graduated boot camp, but injured his femur while at boot camp. He served for 9 months before being discharged, because he took an unauthorized leave to attend a court hearing.

SgtColeman, I agree with your point. I also commend you and all the men and women who serve in the military. I think he was trying to do a good thing, and never expected to have the media attention. Maybe he was ashamed of his personal circumstances? Who knows, but his presence made those little ones feel better that day. It's just a shame that he felt the need to misrepresent himself.

Well if he finished boot camp he is technically a Marine. There are many who don, Riddick Bowe for example(sp), who never did finish and asked to get out who now claims to be a Marine vet. At least this guy went thru and is trying to help in some small way.

this man should be givng a medal for what he did every one slse can go f##### them selfs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That young mans heart was in the right place. Maybe this is a good idea.

This guy is exactly what to protect kids from. He's trying to get attention, early stages of all a mental case. What would be his next move, or his lack of thinking. Scare the kids more?

This guys heart was in the right place. He caused no harm. Maybe this is a Good Idea. Place an armed soldier at each entrance to each school.

Meanwhile, it is ok to lie on your resume about military service and medals awarded. And, what exactly would an unarmed Marine do to stop an armed intruder. Going bang bang bang, gotcha doesnt work. Good intentions here, poor execution.

arrest him and have him serve significant time...

Okay so he changed the name..He might have seen rank but we cant go around say that he is just another fake. If he had stood outside of a school without the uniform I am sure that people would not see it as doing something nice but has a petifile. If he came to my school I would still call him a marine!

He didn't hurt anyone and his presence would not hurt anyone. In fact it probably made people there feel more secure. I applaud his intentions.

just goes to show how ignorant society is when it comes to vigilance. The School should have asked for ID before allowing this guy to stand in front of the School. On another note, as a parent i was in my kids school as much as they were when i had time. Parents, GET INVOLVED! Volunteer your free time of an hour or two to walk the halls and look around. It does matter!

The man was trying to do good. He should have told the truth of course, and when it comes to the military and the uniform, you shouldn't mis-represent yourself. But honestly, he was trying to do good, and I font' have a problem with it at all.

he may have done a mistake with the uniform, but what he's doing guarding the school is beyond admirable. kudos to him!

He shouldn't have lied, and it's sad that he felt his accomplishments were not enough to satisfy the media. But I think his intentions were good, and to the best of my knowledge, he didn't get paid to stand out in the cold for the entire day. My uncle served in the Marines many years ago, and from what I remember graduating boot camp is an accomplishment in itself. I commend him for taking time out of his own life, to make the children feel a little safer.

Was he in the wrong wearing a uniform? Yes. Was it blown out of proportion by the media? It very well could have been. We all know how the media gets, they want sensationalized stories and for some reporters if it isn't sensational enough, they make it so...

Those saying he did nothing wrong and his heart was in the right place, go watch the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV9YU8D2k5I This guy is a POS and I am a former Marine LCpl 1989-1993 MOS-2111 ODS

It's just a uniform. The uniform isn't what makes a marine a marine it's the grit they have on the inside and the fearlessness they show in the face of danger