Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsReal People Who Made a Difference
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2014
Doug and Pam Sterner are "regular folks". They are not rich or particularly politically connected. But there is nothing "regular" about their dedication to our American heroes. They are humble, amazingly loyal patriots. But they do more than talk the talk. They walk the walk.
A Bronze Star recipient for his service during the Vietnam war, Doug watched incredulously as fakes and phonies claimed military successes they never earned. It was too much. He decided to debunk these pretenders. Using public records, he began the enormous project of setting up a detailed database of those who had received our nation's highest awards for meritorious military service. His database verified the individuals name, branch of the service, rank, award received and listed the full description of the actions prompting that award. Gradually, he was able to contest those who dishonestly claimed to be heroes. Politicians, governmental officials, and private citizens began turning to him with questions -- and he was able to debunk or confirm that an individual was in fact a true hero or was, unfortunately, gaming the system for his own aggrandizement. Pam, a student during part of the time Doug was generating the database, began writing a paper on the topic of those who claimed awards they had never really earned. Her work was so significant that the paper became the starting point for what ultimately became the Stolen Valor Act.
Pam and Doug urged politicians and governmental officials to author and/or support the Act. They met with Congressional representatives and appeared before Congressional committees. They debunked case after case of fraudulent claims of heroism. Along the way, they helped countless private citizens learn more about their own relative's high awards and made it possible for those families to memorialize their loved ones (often many years after their death) and preserve their stories for the future.
Although there were setbacks along the way, this amazing couple (who never looked for recognition themselves, but stood in line with others to get into the Supreme Court to hear the case on the Act they initiated) was able to move the dial of history. A revealing book written by two who know this important subject like no one else.
