Local Veterans react to new AZ Stolen Valor Bill

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Support is growing for a new Arizona bill that would bring harsher penalties for stolen valor, and two local Veterans shared their thoughts on the well-favored bill.

According to Senate Bill (SB) 1424, Arizonans who fraudulently claim military service or honors for personal or political gain will face felony charges.

Supporters of the bill say stolen valor exploits the respect and benefits society gives to those who’ve genuinely served.

David Ibarra, a local Veteran, says, "To have people go out there and get this stolen valor is totally inappropriate. You have to earn your stripes."

Ibarra says valor isn't something you can buy.

"When I served in Iraq, I missed funerals, holidays, and birthdays, and that's what 1424 is all about. As veterans, we appreciate that someone's going to look out for us because we have a saying, "If you didn't go, you wouldn't know," shares Ibarra.

The original author of the bill is Republican State Representative Walt Blackman.

Blackman won his seat after a race against Steve Slaton, a Veteran accused of falsely claiming he was a Vietnam combat Veteran, potentially trying to sway voters.

Former Green Beret Joshua Pembleton says embellishing war stories is also an act of stolen valor.

"As a country, were we engaged in combat? Yes. But that doesn't mean that everybody has a story. Therefore, I like bills like this that hopefully put a squash to it or people are more tentative on the stories that they're telling," Pembleton says.

Ibarra says to those who served, whether you were a cook, a medic, or in the rear with gear, be proud of what you did.

"When you embellish, there's going to be someone who served with you who knows that you didn't do that," says Ibarra.

Stolen valor is generally not a felony under federal law or in most states and is typically treated as a misdemeanor.

Pembleton says this bill is a step in the right direction.

"People like Walt Blackman are in the right direction as far as bringing this up for the state of Arizona so we can look deeper into this and actually do as much as prosecuting someone," Pembleton adds.

After passing the House last week 54-1, the Stolen Valor Bill is now headed to the Arizona Senate.