THOMAS SMALLRIDGE
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The following was posted at http://marines.togetherweserved.com/ "It is with a very heavy heart that I have to announce to you that my husband, Tom Smallridge, is not the person that he portrayed himself to be. Tom did serve in the Corps, but not as the Marine so proudly shown here on TWS and other places on the Internet, and in person, for several years. Tom has deceived many, many people and I can't portray to you the saddness that is in my heart at this very moment. Tom has been hospitalized for trauma stemming from this, PTSD and other related psychological issues. I have no idea at this time what his prognosis is or what is in store for us tomorrow, but I would ask for your prayers that God guide me every step of the way in dealing with this entire situation. Again, my heart is broken and I wish I could fix this, but it is bigger than any of us. More than my own betrayal, I am sick at knowing what he has done to every other Marine that earned the Eagle, Globe and Anchor, and those names on that wall. Tom's profile has already been deleted and I would ask that you not try to contact him about any of this. If you feel you must respond, please do so to me. I'm aware that he will have to answer for his actions and everything here on TWS is archived should we need it further, but I don't believe there's anything to be gained by dragging this through the ringer here. I'm asking this for Tom, not myself." |
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“It has recently come to our attention,” Jackson County Veterans Service Director Arnold Tripp told The Telegram on Tuesday afternoon, “that Thomas L. Smallridge, Jr. is not who he said he is.” Tripp was referring to the November 11 Veterans Day Ceremony at the Jackson County Courthouse. Smallridge, of Chillicothe, was the keynote speaker. He portrayed himself as a veteran who served the Marine Corps for nearly five years, mostly in Vietnam Facts are coming to light that reveal that Smallridge’s claims of his service are false. While apologizing, it was clear that Tripp was also duped by Smallridge’s story.
Tripp asks the public to remember that the message of Veterans Day
still rings true.
Reverend Nelson Sharp’s prayer of thanks to all those who paid the
supreme price is not diminished by the lies of a single person.
Randy Sizemore’s recitation of the history of Veterans Day from its inception at Armistice Day in 1918 to today is not changed by Smallridge’s assertions.
Even Smallridge’s tribute to the heroics of the young men and women
who struggle daily to maintain our freedom is not untarnished because
it was uttered by one who sought to steal glory he did not earn.
The facts about Smallridge are being revealed. Charges are expected to
be filed by those who are investigating the matter. It is likely that
Smallridge will be prosecuted under the federal Stolen Valor
Act. |
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