Just like the uniform, veterans medals are allowed to be worn. More than a decade ago, veterans were not ready for wearing their medals and ribbons in the public but in 2006, the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) motivated all the veterans to wear their medals and decorations on different occasions. They told veterans that they should show America that they took oaths, stuck by them, participated in campaigns, and won what they deserved.
When Can a Veteran Wear Their Medals?
All the events that are celebrated for military and veterans or other events that are based on military themes allow veterans to wear their uniform as well as their medals and other decorations. A veteran can wear it in family gatherings that are centered around him including a wedding and a funeral.Besides it all the public holidays including Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Armed Forces Day, veterans as well as retirees can wear their medals proudly. When they have to show up at parades, meetings, retirement ceremonies, and gatherings to honor the military, they should wear their medals.
Can a Veteran Wear Another Veterans Medals?
Using someone else’s possessions without his/her permission has always been considered immoral. While a child may wear his grandfather’s, father’s, or any other relative’s medals for a few minutes in front of them just to get inspiration, it is not allowed for anyone to wear someone’s medals or decorations in public.Though it is not a crime, one will be accused of an immoral act only. But there is a Public Law (
No: 113-12) according to Stolen Valor of Act 2013 that imposes fines and imprisonment on people who use someone else’s military service awards and medals to fraudulently obtain property, money, or other benefits. It includes stealing Silver Star, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Air Force Cross, Navy Cross, and many others badges.
How to Wear veterans Medals?
From full-size medals to miniature medals, one can wear whatever one has been awarded. Though there is no hard and fast rule, veterans and retirees like to wear full-size medals when there is a daytime event and wear miniature medals during an evening ceremony. But everyone has the right to wear the medals according to what suits them the most.The best way is to wear all the medals attached to a metal bar on the left side of the coat. The least senior medal should be towards the left shoulder and the most senior one should be near the middle of the chest. Instead of wearing all the medals, most senior ones should be worn so that they neither cross the midline of the coat nor reach your left arm. In case, one wants to wear all the medals one has, then they can be overlapped to fit on the coat.
Are You Celebrating Veterans Day?
Everyone should celebrate this day and cheer up our veterans for their courage and loyalty.
FamilyLoves.com has brought you a lot of products that you can gift the veterans you know to make them feel loved and appreciated.
