Uniform not a costume

EDITOR:

I appreciate the fact that The Record-Courier meant to honor our many veterans this year, as always, on Veterans Day. However, I feel compelled to point out that its Nov. 12, 2010, article, "Vets Honored At Senior Center USO Day," actually showed a surprising disregard for military tradition. The article featured prominently Florence Judd and her grandson, Shawn, who is not a member of the military, but nonetheless wore the U. S. Marine Corps uniform that belonged to his grandfather.

While it is unfortunate that the Judd family with their long history of military service failed to honor the tradition themselves, never considering that encouraging the grandson to wear the military uniform of their loved one at a public event would offend other veterans, it is equally appalling that your newspaper saw nothing wrong with running the story because it apparently doesn't know the facts about who is entitled to wear a military uniform and didn't appreciate that a distinction must be made.

In point of fact, 10 USC, Subtitle A, Part II, Chapter 45, Section 771, states: "Except as otherwise provided by law, no person except a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, as the case may be, may wear (1) the uniform, or a distinctive part of the uniform, of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps."

The traditions of military service are very clear and should be upheld by all. Wearing the uniform is an honor and right given only to those who have actually served in the Armed Forces. In my humble opinion, this young man has no legitimate right to wear this uniform. He is presently too young to be in military service and has received no military training other than JROTC at high school. I feel that it is a disgrace for him to appear to be honored with all of the other veterans who attended that meeting, and I'm sorry your paper did not recognize the importance of this issue before print.

Furthermore, in my mind, this issue calls into question whether the JROTC is failing to instill the proper respect for the uniform in its members. I trust that is not the case. In any event, I do sincerely hope that Shawn will continue in the direction of preparing for military service. When he is eligible and does enlist, he will find warm fellowship with those who are serving or have served. Until then, the distinction is to be reserved for those who served.

Having served with the U.S. Navy, from March 17, 1952, to March 5, 1956, I wore my uniform proudly.

Howard A. Frazeur

Minden