Former marine exposes a case of stolen valor
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- Опубликовано: 26 сен 2024
- “Honor is everything to a Marine,” says Andrew Van Wey, a former Marine.
Van Wey's fellow Marine, Casey Owens, lost both legs when his Humvee hit an anti-tank mine in Iraq in 2004. So when he found out another former Marine named Brandon Blackstone was falsely claiming to have been injured in that explosion, it was not something Van Wey could let pass.
STORY: on.wfaa.com/2J...
Casey is/was my cousin....it's so hard seeing his face again knowing I will never see it in person again. He was a selfless man who defended his brothers by making sure the IED exploded under him to take the blast instead of anyone else in the hummer while he was transporting other soldiers. Stolen valor is disgusting, how dare anyone take away from his sacrifice. He suffered so much on the inside, our govt failed him....I miss him so much, he left us too soon. I hope he is at peace now.
Semper Fi I am sorry for your loss. .
It’s terrible that this guy took Casey’s story and legacy and lived it for like 10 years while Casey struggled. Everything that Brandon was being praised for and all the attention should’ve gone to your cousin I’d say that it hurts that your cousin was unaware of all that. Brandon should’ve gotten a better prison sentence, the same that your cousin Casey had to endure. I am very sorry that Casey Owen is no longer with us. But never let his legacy be forgotten.
@@RG-ro9xm semper fi brother
Thats just fkn disgusting we have more honor and integrity than that then this scumbag comes along and steals Casey's story... it broke my heart when they said he killed himself...rest in peace marine and guard the gates of heaven until the rest of us get there to properly relieve you of your post brother..carry on SEMPER FIDELIS!!!!!!
Rest In Peace marine...but your statement is BS. He made sure the ied exploded under him? It’s an IED...an ANTI TANK MINE, that I’m sure they didn’t know was there? That doesn’t even make sense. If they knew it was there they wouldn’t have hit it. If that’s true, there would be a Medal of Honor hanging on the wall.
These con-artists need a lot more than 21 months in prison.
True.
21 years wouldn't be enough for this pig !
It's been fifty years and I still think of my fellow Marines from Vietnam.
I don't understand these stolen valor types, and why they do it. May that young Marine Corporal rest in peace. I remember we had a Vietnamese saying "Dinki Dow" it meant Crazy.
They want the feeling of being special or the thank you we all sorta hate hearing and never know what to say back to people
@@samuelpancake4084 my uncle was in Nam, whenever someone thanked him for his service he'd just say "yeah". Never wanted to speak about his service and never displayed his medals or celebrate veterans day. You can tell whatever happened back in Nam he wants to keep it there
21 months was a very light sentence for someone who ripped off real veterans like this.
I wholeheartedly agree. I've never been in the Military and it would be a SIN to even imply I was. I hate the " if I would've been there stories" too. I've done some decent things in life but serving in the Military isn't among them. I Respect all who have.
He also had to pay back a large amount of money. His life is over
Rest in peace brother
You were a legend
Boot licker.
He stole an entire house from wounded warrior project not even 2 years in jail 9 years collecting free money not even 2 years in jail wow people spend more time in jail for drug possession
Sentenced to 21 measly months in 2017, he is out now & must live with his horrific life decision, lying about a heroic act.
He is also court ordered to pay back more than $300k in benefits - another life sentence.
And he should also apologize to the family of the deceased Marine for stealing his valor.
21 MONTHS!!!!!!! Are you sh_tting me!!!!!! 21 months for nearly $500,000 in perks stolen for a serviceman who really deserved it??? Man the justice system failed miserably on this one.
you go spend 21 months in a prison and see what its like, then your opinion might be valid.
I know a man from the GW who lost his legs after the war and killed himself, either way he was a casualty of war. Nobody’s life is ever the same. In the 90’s I was told not to put it on my resume. What a position to be put in. Death before Dishonor.
Don't put what on your resume?
@@jed-henrywitkowski6470probably his military service, as outrageous as that sounds. Not sure what else he could mean.
Thank goodness the VA and charities verified everything.
yes thank goodness!
Now this is a case Stolen Valor not some guy walking around a shopping mall with a camo cap on or camo pants on
Yep, to much videos of people harassing homeless poor people just trying to get by.
It happens here in Britain too! It’s a crime that needs taking more seriously! Offenders need hitting with harder punishments! I find it disgusting that someone can actually take compliments for something false. Disrespectful to those who have actually served and given their lives!
Love and respect from UK 🇬🇧 🇺🇸
Obama said it was OK, and said it was freedom of speech. He watered down our Stolen Valor Act.
@@BruceWayne-cb2ys no he didn't. That's a false statement. Quit blaming someone else that isn't in the falt line for some idiots cheating the system .. this yokel did it out of either jealousy or greed
Meh, we're not Americans, we just punch these clowns on the snoz and move on. Don't get all weepy over it.
Horrific, to lose your legs in combat and to deal with those emotional demons, where's the justice for this marine. May he Rest In Peace and I hope to shake his hand in heaven
R.I.P. My Brother. SEMPER FI.
🙏🕯
Semper FI
I'm so sorry for your lost. To all his family and all his brothers and sister. Very painful to hear the lost of a hero
Loss not lost.
Guy stole money for 9 years ,and conned his way into a house. dude should be in prison until hes payed it all off.
I was in the British army for 27 years and it is an insult to all who served. Jail them!
@@ghutzy341 69th cobblestone corps
I wish we could jail them. In the USA it is against the law to impersonate a police or federal agent. But the free speech rights allow somebody to impersonate or wear a military uniform. Pres Bush junior tried to make it illegal but the law was struck down. Just wrong
I was in the Peace Corps in Belize (formerly British Honduras) where active British military were stationed.
You British military have, I believe, a minimum of 7 years of service?
Tough, professional and some really cool guys there.
Honor, Courage and Commitment....these values are the glue holding the US Marine Corps together.
21 months?? Should have been 20 to life! I’ve never served but you don’t pass yourself off as a marine or any other branch of the military.
That one brought tears to my eyes at the end. I know Casey is home now and his pain is over, but his sister's pain and that of his brother in arms was tough to watch. It's their pain (and the veteran's service, of course) that pays for the benefits received by military members and their families. A person who steals those benefits is among the most grotesque examples of humanity one can find.
The picture of Casey and his dog breaks my heart.
I am Australian. I am also a Vietnam Veteran. I was an infantry soldier for my six years in The Australian Regular Army. I did two tours of duty to Vietnam. Unfortunately, since the war I have encountered & exposed more than one phony 'veteran'. It is normally not hard to pick them. It is in the way that they carry themselves, the way they speak, the way they wear their uniforms & medals & in their knowledge of the war & the units in which they are supposed to have served (fought) & in their lack of knowledge of the Australian Army & our slang terms etc. Unfortunately, unlike in your country, our authorities do not care too much about these phonies & are reluctant to follow up on our complaints & to pursue & charge them. When they are charged however & found guilty, their sentences are usually an insult to real Veterans. If I live for long enough, perhaps this will change, but I don't hold much hope. At least in your country you take the issue seriously. Dennis Moore - AUSTRALIA.
Thank you for your service sir from J USA
@@jldog134 As we say in Australia "No worries mate". All the best to you. Dennis.
this is just incredible..
As the father of a marine, knowing what they go through to wear that uniform, I can only imagine the anger at these fakers. 21 months was a pittance. Should’ve done 5 years.
@@billSteinberg Some don’t even go in to begin with.
Hope the wounded warriors and the others that gave him money pay a big price too. There are always scammers----but they should in no way be able to collect disability without being better checked out. This isn't just on him-----but on the two organizations that let down those who really deserved this money.
Rest in Peace Brother
21 months? Wow the US system really is broken smh. He should’ve gotten at least 10 years.
I love our military and anyone that tries to profit off it that didn't even go through basic training is a disgrace.
40,000 military veterans are currently homeless in the US,abandoned and sleeping rough.Where is their help ?
@@scpplumbing7118 But nice to know we have a place off the streets for every illegal alien that sneaks in.
This is so Heartbreaking ,
😂 don’t know why but I didn’t expect to hear that the real hero took his own life!? Tears literally filled my eyes almost instantly! 🥺THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!! 🙏💪🏼🇺🇸
Sad how dude stole his Valor.
It’s sad how far people will take a lie
Dude did this for 9 years
Judge: 21 months seems right🤔
he needs to be out so he can repay the $300K he stole.
1:01 …”the branch of service known to be the smallest.”
🤔
Marines have 182,000 members and the reserve numbers are almost as many active duty USCG.
USCG has less than 60,000 on active duty.
The number was 35,000 when I was in 2002-2010.
Marines have never been known as the smallest branch of the 5.
Not sure Marines consider the USCG a branch of the Miltary. Lol
@@jimmylight4866 I was thinking the same thing lol
What a piece of work😡
He was only "sentenced" to 21 months in jail, which means that he probably got out between 12 and 16 months!
That guy should have got 30 years in prison!😎
Did they MAKE HIM PAY AT LEAST THE MONEY bank he stole.
Part of his sentence was that he had to pay back $322,000 that he received from disability. Don’t know what happened about the house.
No such thing as a former Marine
This is bullcrap it took me over ten years to get my claims done and I was in the Navy for 30 years and I'm still fighting for my claims.
Ok?
Lying on that level, getting that deep and still going is hard to fathom...
Check out don shipley and phoney navy seals. Don is awesome exposing them.
Rip brother
God Bless-you Marine R I P 🙏🌹from a uk veteran
My neighbor, who I knew from a kid, came back home recently, he had been a Marine, and lost a leg. When I first saw him he seemed to be doing OK. Later he died, I never heard how, but believe it was suicide.
I am pleased to see this man was sent to prison- because he stole valor for profit. In my opinion stolen valor of most any type should be punished, until that happens people will continue to lie about their military records, and money is usually at least part of their motive.
So sad that people are like that in the world
They should have given him 20 year in Leavenworth
Perhaps they just forgot to report about the nine years of disability pay that he should have to pay back to the VA, with penalty and interest.
Hopefully the VA wasn’t as lenient as the DOJ was on his jail sentence. 🤞
The toll on our service members is immense.
The was sentenced to 21 months that's not enough he should be sentenced to 21 years instead
Exactly!!!!
I’m a former Marine and I think what that piece of garbage did was disgraceful and reprehensible. To capitalize on service men and women who lost their lives protecting this great country is wrong on so many levels. He should of received a prison sentence equivalent to the amount of years he said he was a Marine.What a loser!!!!😡😡😡😡👎🏿👎🏿👎🏿👎🏿
i hope they made that coward give back everything he stole...with high interest
Us Veterans know our own lingo, mannerisms, appearances, and overall stories. This fraud needed more than a slap on the hand BS sentence. He should’ve gotten a beat down from marines.
He should have gotten 10 year hard labor. 21 months is a slap in the face to everyone us who served honorably.
Agreed. Have him work off that 9 years of fraudulent disability, with interest.
Semper Fi, Brother
I'll see you at the gate.
Disgusting. Shame on him.
I flew M1 Abrams Tanks in the Navy... After that I flew B-52s for the U.S. Coast Guard... Then I was recruited by the CIA where I spent the rest of my Govt service as a Pokemon Trainer...gotta catch em all... that's what I did. My last classified mission was helping Jeffrey Epstein with his assisted suicide...
😂😂😂
Thank you for your service. 🙃
Dam you missed the epic battle of Waterloo with the German panzer division bearing down on Napoleons kamikazes
😃I watched the Cleveland show and now King of the hill,I tell you what!
You'd think these punks would be checked out more thoroughly before receiving benefits/gifts
I receieved a house from the same organisation. And I was a spokesman for them as well. You guys do not even want to hear about all the benefits this guy got to experience!
Any disabled and honorably discharged veterans that dont own a home and are not felons...write me up here I could probably help you get a house from this organisation, as long as you meet all requirements...
How do I get a home?
@@killla you have to have been injured in combat. Does that apply to u?
I always wonder how these organizations don't do some basic homework, like verifying people are who they say they are before forking over a new house.
RIP Casey
Fair winds, devil! Semper fi, brother! 🦅🌎⚓
News desk is not sound proof - massive road noise present during this report - the cheap 'studio' undermines the topic's importance.
What about restitution for all he's stolen from the system and that's just the monetary stuff
Rip brother.
How about 7 years minimum instead of 21 months!
Heartbreaking 😢
RIP MY BROTHER.
This is sickning.
21 months for a mortgage free home 😮
21 months.?? what about repaying the taxpayer and returning the house and all the ill gotten gains?
There is no such thing as a former Marine
Should force him to go through seal training every year for 9 years … No excuses
Wish we could have helped this Marine.
Says marine corps is the smallest, forgets that the Coast Guard exists because it's that small.
@Caleb P Oh boys we got another one that says Coast Guard isn't the military. Please, sir, return to your quarters.
@@xCosmicMuffinManx Coast Guard is part of the Military during War Time. Otherwise under the Dept. of Transportation-----I believe in peacetime.
@@dennisplatte7506 During peace time and war time the Coast Guard is part of the military. However, during wartime the Coast Guard will shift under the Navy and become part of the DoD. During peace time USCG falls under DHS, not DoT, although they used to be DoT. Nonetheless they are still part of the military, just not DoD.
i never got a mortgage free house and i am 100% disabled.
I broke my back in the army and because I didnt get an xray the va told to bad. The va dr told me the injury happened at least 50 years ago. And this guy gets a free house. I guess if your a good liar the va will take care of you. Hope he goes to prison for what he did.
Stolen valor clowns are known as "posers" by most folks. We spell poser this way for a reason -- "POSer"
Several Sailors received the Purple Heart in Puerto Rico in 1979.
The male news anchor sounds like Lando Calrissian!
Why didn’t anyone notice he had legs🤷♂️
Is that a flying rod?
Don Shipley is comin’ for ya bro!!!
"Honor" should mean something even if you're NOT a Marine! But no...
John Kerry exploits in Viet Nam needs investigating! He is a case of stolen valor.
Terrible. Nothing worse than posers stealing the grace and recognition of an injured veteran.
Is it possible to get Benefits without a DD214?
Apparently, you'd think that would at least be a minimum requirement?
Rip Semper Fi Devildog!
Wait ... 1:50 That's not PHONY'S sister!! Hello, reporter? You're making no sense.
Makes me ill for more than one reason..."W."
#respect
I wish I could have known him I would take him fishing and hopefully save him
Brave men and women being sent to war on a lie.
2:09 is that bush? what's he doing there?
Marines are the smallest? No coast guard is lol but I get it
Not even 2 years for the biggest sin
The army is by far the largest but even then, military communities are quite a bit smaller than some of these shysters might think.
21 months, give me a break, standard should be 5 years.
Need to report some weRs To marine inform n says he's. MRoney
I just subscribed
Pretty good scam going by the poser.