June 10, 1999
Rochestertoday.com NewsSource 13
POW CONTROVERSY
According to the POW Network, a national not-for-profit
organization, there is a growing trend across the country of individuals misrepresenting
their military history. NewsSource 13 Investigative
Reporter Christine Rogers uncovered one suspected case of "stolen valor" here in
Rochester.
For 30 years, Lon McAlister has presented himself as a former
Vietnam Prisoner of War. He has attended POW memorial services, participated in Memorial
Day marathons and told his POW story many times. However, the POW Network, an organization
dedicated to preserving the history of
Vietnam prisoners of war, has no records to support his claim.
"We were absolutely convinced that the man had never been
captured in any way, shape or form
for even a few minutes anytime during the Vietnam war," explained Mary Schantag from
the POW Network....
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