BELFAST – Veterans from the Belfast, Maine Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) joined Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo) today in celebrating the enactment of “Stolen Valor” legislation.
The bill, LD 1642, “”An Act Regarding Stolen Valor, ” strengthens the current law against Mainers who make false claims about having served in the United States armed forces. Veterans from the Belfast VFW asked Senate President Thibodeau to sponsor the bill prior to the beginning of the 127th Legislature.
Under the new law, anyone who makes such claims will be subject to the state law governing theft by deception. It also specifies that any fine imposed on such a person must be deposited into the Maine Military Family Relief Fund.
“When these American heroes asked me to sponsor this legislation, I told them it would be a true honor,” Thibodeau said. “After all they did to serve our nation, they have earned the right to call themselves veterans. For anyone else to falsely claim they are a veteran in order to benefit from it personally is beyond despicable. The intent of this bill is to make that very clear to anyone who is considering impersonating a veteran.”
The bill passed unanimously in both the Maine House and Senate before being signed by Governor Paul LePage.
Among those who joined Senate President Thibodeau at today’s news conference were veterans from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
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