On August 26, 2011, the Miami Herald reported:
Mike McCalister, a Republican U.S. Senate candidate, violated U.S. Army regulations by wearing his uniform to a political fundraiser — a move that further fuels the criticisms of veterans and service members who say he’s misleading voters to seem like more of a soldier than he ever was.
[…]
But his website and campaign speeches have been full of so many strong-sounding claims that he’s now drawing fire from former subordinates, a high-ranking general at United Special Operations Command in Tampa and the veterans group Stolen Valor. The group obtained photographs of McCalister wearing his ceremonial uniform at Feb. 16 fundraiser, the Highland County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner.
“The retiree is not authorized to wear his uniform to political events,” said U.S. Army spokesman Troy Rolan. He cited regulations that say current and former service members should wear the uniform only to ceremonial events, such as Memorial Day.
“This is inappropriate,” said Ed Maxwell, a Jensen Beach Vietnam veteran and member of Stolen Valor, a nonpartisan group of vets committed to blowing the whistle on candidates who misrepresent their service.
“He’s exploiting his military service and he’s embellishing it. It’s improper,” Maxwell said. “It [the uniform] shouldn’t be used in a political setting. It shouldn’t be used for commercial purpose.”
Read the full article here
Published: Aug 27, 2011