Think this FRAUD should do community service in NATIONAL CEMETARY?

Question

The man who impersonated a decorated Marine has so incensed the military community that the director of Tahoma National Cemetery plans to ask the courts to reconsider whether he should do his community service there.

"When this whole thing came to light, it raised a lot of hair on people," said Jim Trimbo, the director of the National Cemetery in Kent.

Reggie Buddle, 59, was sentenced earlier this week to two years of probation and 500 hours of community service at the cemetery after pleading guilty to unlawful wearing of U.S. military medals and decorations.

Buddle, who conducted various services and appeared as an honorary Marine chaplain, wore medals and service decorations for extraordinary valor and combat service in Vietnam, including a Combat Action Ribbon, a Presidential Unit Citation ribbon and the Defense Distinguished Service Medal.

Buddle, of Puyallup, did serve in the Army for two years, but never saw combat. He was not a Marine. Nor is he an ordained minister.

Both for Buddle's safety, and out of respect for the veterans' families who feel offended by his actions, Trimbo said he plans to ask the court to reconsider the location of Buddle's community service.

"This case is unique in its offenses," he said. "It does offend certain people, but he was also assigned here to learn what real heroes are."

One Marine's family specifically asked that Buddle not work near a family grave.

Buddle officiated at the military burial of Debra Laukeman's mother. He also helped persuade Laukeman's son to enlist in the Marines, then later baptized and married him. She contacted the cemetery to let staff there know she felt violated by Buddle's actions, and hoped he wouldn't work near her mother's grave.

Tahoma has a work-release program for non-violent offenders and routinely has inmates doing some of their time pro

providing labor at the cemetery. Many of those individuals later thank the cemetery staff and say the experience changed them.

"I had three kids who violated the flag once," said Trimbo, speaking of an experience he had at a national cemetery he worked at previously. "Two of them came back later and said, 'Now I understand what the flag really means.' "

Community service details can be reconsidered and people can be reassigned if one placement doesn't work out, said Emily Langlie, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle.

If Buddle does end up doing his community service at the cemetery, he would not be tending graves, but would be washing cars, sweeping walks and working in flower beds, said Trimbo, who has not yet met with Buddle, and said plans were on hold until he can talk to the court.

"In the (Veterans Affairs') National Cemetery System we're highly dedicated to the veteran community, and we're not going to expose them to (an offensive situation), nor am

P-I reporter Carol Smith can be reached at 206-448-8070 or [e-mail].

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/

I think he should do his community service at a VA HOSPITAL....
I ride bus that passes through Seattle VA Hospital Grounds.....
the patients are getting YOUNGER.
Let him work in PROSTHETICS.

Answer 1

500 hours of community service at the National Cemetery sounds long and adequate. At least he can sort of almost redeem himself. Almost. He should know better, having served in the Army himself.
EDIT - Wait, changed my mind. He shouldn't have any business with the graves of real veterans. Have him sweep the streets or pick litter off a highway.

In Australia, I don't think there are any laws against veteran-impersonation. It's a shame, the most veteran groups can do is tell other people to keep an eye out for these urinal cakes wearing ill-fitting uniforms.

Answer 2

Theres a charity that will allow you to pay off your community service
hours my brother and a friend used them how it works is if you have 80
hours it equals $80.00 you can make a donation threw there website and
they send you out your paperwork, we looked into this charity first before
making a donation to make sure they were legal and yes indeed they are a
501c3 nonprofit charity they are called Uplifting Kids they are a charity
my brother was soooo happy because it kept him from going to jail, the
courts was not trying to offer him an extention so he paid them off he
emailed and called them and someone got back to him right away he needed
this paper from the charity like asap and they charged him for the
overnight which between 40.00 and 45.00 dollars and an expedited charge of
$50.00 , they did a professional letterhead and sent it out to him, he was
toooo happy and he took the paper to the courts and everything was ok they
are also court approved all over the world I couldnt be more pleased with
this charity they saved my brothers and his friends freedom from going to
jail, they also have alot of other programs if you can't afford to pay the
hours off you can do a fundraise you can reach them by via email at
[e-mail] and also by phone at 1-855-581-9111 and there
website is www.upliftingkids.org call them they can help you and if you
need a professional letterhead urgent then let them know, I wouldn't try
theses other places online they are not legit this is the only one i could
find for my brother that is legit and not a scam and they followed threw
with a tracking number and we signed for the document so check them out
however you can't get no refunds if you decide not to go with them. They
are doing great things for people all over the world and kids. Check them
out they are even open late hours they help with court community service
and also school community service as well, you can also do a fundraise for
your hours they have alot of pretty cool programs they are great oh not to mention they are also on the Irs website as well to verify this charity

Answer 3

For Gunner Rosco:

Australia does have laws against military impersonators and the wearing of self-awarded medals etc..
Its not being enforced as the Police believe they have better things to do.

Under the Defence Act, pretending to be a returned sailor soldier or airman reaps a fine of up to $6,500.

There is an Australian website which publishes pictures and the history of wannabes and service personnel who have boosted their awards.

http://www.anzmi.net/info.html

Answer 4

If he wants to impersonate a Marine then he should take the punishment of a Marine. Levenworth.

Answer 5

Think maybe he might be mentally ill? I think an evaluation might be in order. Then let the judge decide. But no, I don't think he should serve his time in a militaary cemetery. I don't think it would do him any good.

Answer 6

Honey this is not the place....write your lawmakers. I feel you but I am as powerless as you.