'Reported a kid to the sheriff's department today that had tried to panhandle me a few weeks ago. I was at the Valero in Boerne, wearing a red, white, and blue shirt and have kept my Covid buzzcut, so I think I fit this kid's parameters for a mark, which pisses me off 'cause it means I look old and gullible. He pulled up on the other side of the pumps where I was, in a brand new Jeep pickup and he was wearing full fatigues, including cap, and made sure to keep that face mask on. He mumbled some story about needing motel money and he needed 32.50. I told him I couldn't help him. There was just something off; too many patches on the uniform, something.

Today, I see the same kid pulling in the QT by my house; same fatigues, face mask on, etc. He drove around the entire parking lot (which is a pretty big footprint for a gas station), then pulled up to the building, went inside, came out, then drove all around the pumps looking at folks, then pulled up to a pump. Never got out. I went into the men's room and came back out. He was still sitting there, in the driver's seat, looking around, I assume, looking for a decent mark. He knew I was looking at him. Then I drove around just like he did and got his plate number. Only a back plate, out of state, with a holder covering up the state. I didn't even recognize the colors. I pulled out and down the street and called the sheriff's department.

Who knows if they bothered, but I can't stand some punk praying on folks' support of our military. I can't even fathom the psychological problems that would drive a kid to do this sort of thing. I know he wouldn't attempt to pull this crap on NW Military in San Antonio, down from Camp Bullis. Army personnel is up and down there eating at restaurants all the time and would spot this poser in a minute.

I agree... glad you reported him.

Ask him for credentials and then report him for stolen valor.

Nah ...., you don't look gullible. Surely not.

Ask him for money.

Some people have no shame!☹️

I had a friend claim to be a disabled vet. he's disabled, and a vet, but not a disabled vet. we're no longer friends.

I have some ocean front property in Arizona.

Lot's of stolen valor around for sure.

What is sad is he may have actually been in the military. It happens pretty regularly where some military person claims to have medals they were never awarded. Add to that the fact that even in the military there are "bad apples" that are willing to rip off not only the public but their fellow servicemen.

I saw a kid the other day at Lowe's in Bastrop wearing fatigues. He had about 5 or 6 rows of ribbons and a Combat Infantrymans badge along with Airborne Insignia. I wasn't in the military so I don't know the proper protocol for wearing ribbons but I told my combat veteran son about it and he said the guy was a phony.

asked a vet today what she was doing for memorial day. she had no idea it was memorial day. Sometimes i wonder if she told me the truth.

No ribbons are ever worn on fatigues.

Son of a B***....that guy got me at QT a few weeks ago. Said he was coming from his moms funeral in Georgia and his jeep has georgia plates.


I gave him $50.


He did ask if I wanted change, but he asked for $32......said he needed a room for the night and he was $32. short

I know I'm from a different era, but pan handling was not one of those activities looked upon with favor... there were several agencies on each base that would lend a hand (and a few $) to any service member who needed it to attend a family funeral.

I suspect it's still true today...

Handing someone the gas nozzle after I had filled up is the most I have done. She was a hot chick.

This guy claimed there was an error with the funeral home and his debit card. Said he had to pay for the funeral expenses all on his own.

He wasn’t a slick Rick he was a nerdy white kid who looked like he was in the IT department

I roll with Bill on this one...

Dang. It’s a small world.

Look at it like this. You can’t know, and it’s a good thing to help people. Jesus didn’t tell us to investigate and make sure we only give to those who truly need it. He just said to give.

"Nah ...., you don't look gullible. Surely not." TXTrophy on the other hand . . . ., well . . . . .

Oh I’m not mad about it at all, other than the fact that he is impersonating a US enlisted Army, which I think is among the lowest of the low.

That is 100% on him, I did my part and I would do it again. I believe in helping people.

After reading this I think it might be a good idea to ask for their military I.D ?

Give him fish heads