Military fibbers

Being in the news biz, I've had the honor of meeting and interviewing many U.S. military veterans.

I love their stories, which usually make Hollywood's best scripts seem boring in comparison.

But in my personal life, I've also encountered a few folks whose stories about military service I just don't believe. Well, actually, the folks I've met haven't told too many stories, but they sure don't miss a chance to mention their alleged military status. It's like they see it as a golden ticket for instant respect, which is right – if they are telling the truth.

This issue is big news lately, with an “American Idol” contestant admitting a major military fib. But this is nothing new. The internet is full of sites dedicated to outing fakers.

These people are obviously in the minority, but I'm sure real veterans would say that just one faker is too many.