By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
LANSING, MI –
The state Senate has approved legislation that would make it illegal to impersonate a veteran for financial or professional gain. More than thirty other states have passed similar laws after reports of people pretending to be war heroes to get rewards reserved for combat veterans.
State Senator Jason Allen was in the Air National Guard.
"Posing as a veteran falsely to gain honor or reward of attention is deplorable," he says. "As one of the members of the Legislature that served in the military, humbly I think that those metals have to be earned and I think they have to be part of your actual time in the military service."
Another bill -- called the "Stolen Valor" bill -- would increase fines against people who deface war memorials and monuments in Michigan. Both bills now head for discussion before a state House panel.