Occasionally, when a phony soldier story comes our way from a reader or an inquirer, we usually go to the experts on busting phonies - the guys at This Ain't Hell (the Blackfive Farm Team) and the good people at POWNet. More than a few of you sent us the video of Manuel and Valente Valenzuela, brothers and Vietnam Vets living in Colorado, who were being deported to the place of their birth, Mexico. Mr. Wolf and myself, and TSO and Jonn Lilyea from TAH thought that we should investigate. In this case, we had a Warrior Legacy Foundation friend in the area of the suspected phonies and we worked with TAH and POWNet in either proving the soldiers were poseurs or the real deal. A big thanks to Mary at POWNet and Jonn at TAH for doing the ground work. We had our friend from WLF talk to the Valezuelas. This is the result...so far:Vietnam Veterans Continue to Fight Deportation National Veterans Group Supports Their Cause By: Mireya Garcia COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Manuel and Valente Valenzuela, brothers and Vietnam Veterans, They continue to fight against impending deportation, but now they have the support of a national organization. “What we've done for America, we are proud of it, and it isn’t going to hurt to stand up,” said Manuel. The men were born in Mexico to an American mother, and may be deported for minor crimes committed years ago. Manuel is a Marine and Valente a Soldier. After NEWSCHANNEL13’s interview the pair in, many called their claims fake. “They think we are wearing false uniforms and false medals.,” said Valente. The doubts stemmed from video that showed the men in their uniforms with their medals out of order. The Warrior Legacy Foundation decided to work with the Valenzuelas to determine the authenticity of their story. The foundation is tasked with preserving the history of people who individuals that truly served... “Everything we were able to pull matched what they had,” said John Wagner of the Warrior Legacy Foundation. In a phone interview, Wagner told NEWSHANNEL13 the Valenzuelas pinned their medals in the order listed on all their military documentation, “It’s not their fault, it is the way the military system listed them.” The foundation's national partners have also decided to support the Vietnam veterans. Manuel said the support has renewed his belief in the America he defended. ”These people stepped in to help me, and it’s been building me back up to say 'thank God I served the country.'” Valente told NEWSCHANNEL13 the national support has quelled his worries, but the long fight has worn him down. “I really can’t say I’m worried, but look at my age. I have no need for this nonsense.” The Warrior Legacy Foundation said it believes Valente and Manuel Valenzuela have “solid ground to stand on,” and that it foresees a positive out come. Representatives of the foundation, stationed in Denver, plan to meet with the brothers in Colorado Springs in the coming weeks. NEWSCHANNEL13 will be there. Go to KRDO to see the results. Video at KRDO too.
Read the complete post at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Blackfive/~3/FnK4SJAZqJE/wlf-fights-deportation.html
Posted
May 20 2010, 03:27 AM
by
BLACKFIVE