04-06-2003, 06:26 AM
Ed
In Australia we have a far more sensible system with regard to the highest award to Australian Forces,the Victoria Cross, and to the highest civilian award,the George Cross.Under a Government law called "The Moveable Cultural Heritage Act" no VC or GC may be exported from Australia (except by the original recipient who is free to do whatever he may wish to do with his decoration).However it is quite legal to possess and collect these awards,provided they remain in Australia at all times.Of course there are very few in collectors hands...probably no more than four or five.The bulk are in the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.This is the sensible way to regulate the preservation of our countries heritage.The US version relating to the MoH is "over the top" and frankly does little to protect the dignity of the award.For years "official" duplicates could be freely bought with no control as to who got them...hence the large number of fake MoH winners doing the rounds.There is NO WAY you can get an official issue of the VC or GC except if the recipient has lost them due to enemy action or similar circumstances.The provenance of nearly all the VCs is well documented...you can't say this about the MoH...I have read of recipients getting three issues, having them named and then giving them to family members.
We all are against the wearing of awards by people not entitled to them.But the collecting and research by honest folk simply interested in preserving their countries heritage has now been hit by the over reaction by politicians who have no idea of what they are putting up for legislation.I commend a book titled "Stolen Valor" by Burkett Whitely.You will be amazed at the number of "would be heros" who have conned their way into all levels of society.Laws such as that relating to the MoH will never stop them.They will just pop down to the PX and get a DSC or Silver Star to wear when chasing their next round of free beers.
In Australia we have a far more sensible system with regard to the highest award to Australian Forces,the Victoria Cross, and to the highest civilian award,the George Cross.Under a Government law called "The Moveable Cultural Heritage Act" no VC or GC may be exported from Australia (except by the original recipient who is free to do whatever he may wish to do with his decoration).However it is quite legal to possess and collect these awards,provided they remain in Australia at all times.Of course there are very few in collectors hands...probably no more than four or five.The bulk are in the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.This is the sensible way to regulate the preservation of our countries heritage.The US version relating to the MoH is "over the top" and frankly does little to protect the dignity of the award.For years "official" duplicates could be freely bought with no control as to who got them...hence the large number of fake MoH winners doing the rounds.There is NO WAY you can get an official issue of the VC or GC except if the recipient has lost them due to enemy action or similar circumstances.The provenance of nearly all the VCs is well documented...you can't say this about the MoH...I have read of recipients getting three issues, having them named and then giving them to family members.
We all are against the wearing of awards by people not entitled to them.But the collecting and research by honest folk simply interested in preserving their countries heritage has now been hit by the over reaction by politicians who have no idea of what they are putting up for legislation.I commend a book titled "Stolen Valor" by Burkett Whitely.You will be amazed at the number of "would be heros" who have conned their way into all levels of society.Laws such as that relating to the MoH will never stop them.They will just pop down to the PX and get a DSC or Silver Star to wear when chasing their next round of free beers.
