Stephen Barkett
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Claims POW for 3 yrs....enlisted in USMC, neglected to mention "sole surviving son", visited by "men in suits" and "pulled out of training to go to work for an agency." Records are classified for 75 yrs.
http://www.cowboyspride.net/forum/showthread.php?t=42196
[INTERVIEW HAS BEEN ARCHIVED] ... So I know you were a POW..how did that come
to be? What is Hanoi Jane about? ============================================ From: "Stephen Barkett" <sbouvier@woh.rr.com>
Please accept my appoogy for the story I
wrote, but it was just a story to prove a point to my son and a few
others.
Please see attached letter.
Dear Sir, I am writing this to you concerning the story I wrote for Cowboys Pride. It was just that, an fictitious story that has caused may problems. I unfortunately came up with the idea because of the internet and people believing what ever they read. So I decided that if I ever got the chance I would prove this to my son and a neighbor, who believes what ever they read on the internet. Cowboys Pride gave me this opportunity when they wanted to interview me. I first told them I would have to think about it then I came up with the story. I actually believed that it was so far fetched and unbelievable; that I hoped no one would believe it. To my shock I started to receive private messages concerning it, I answered some with thanks then totally quit the site. I guess in hind site I should have wrote a disclaimer about it later, and because I didn’t I claim stupidity. I told my son about it and then requested the send me a copy of the article to prove to my son how gullible people are, when they read things on the internet. If I was truly claiming to be a former POW, please give me credit for not wanting it to be scrutinized by placing it on the internet where the entire world can view it. I am sorry for the trouble I have caused; I didn’t mean to cause such a problem. It was also my way of trying to bring attention to the men and women that are in the all volunteer military, yet they are being protested here at home. The media doesn’t help unfortunately by the biased way the present the news and only half of it. I guess that is what gave me the idea of doing what I did. I wanted to show that just because it is written it is not real or true. But now with hindsight, I see I should have done it differently. Again I am truly sorry how this turned out and if I could take it back and show my point another way I sincerely would. I guess this has caused not only you but others, a big headache. Please accept my apology. Stephen Barkett ================================
Delivered-To: info@pownetwork.org
What I told the reporter is the same as
in the letter. I am not sure what the reporter said. I
never heard. Pray tell what did the reporter say?
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POW Network Uncovers Fake War Heroes Tuesday, November 11, 2008 – updated: 5:49 pm ESTDAYTON, Ohio -- During the Vietman War, hundreds of Americans serving in the military were taken prisoner. The most famous, Sen. John McCain, spent five and half years in captivity. Now, some people believe that McCain’s celebrity has brought out more fake POWs out of the woodwork. Personnel Missing - Southeast AsiaDatabase Report. The POW Network is trying to honor real war heroes and disclose the fakes. Founder, Mary Shantag, calls them phonies and wannabe’s. “When these guys make their claims, when they falsify these documents to get things they are not entitled to, those are our tax dollars being used,” said Shantag. The POW Network said Stephen Barkett of Troy is not a POW even though he claimed that he was on a war hero website. His military record said he was in the Marine Corp. for less than three months in 1965 and discharged from boot camp at Parris Island, S.C. In a telephone interview, Barkett said that record is true, but he went to work for the federal government and was a civilian POW. He said he can’t release anymore because it is classified. Shantag said, “When we hear you can’t have it, you can’t see it, it’s classified. Those are the biggest red flags there are out there for those who are faking their military history.” The Department of Defense POW database has no record of Barkett. He is not listed as a civilian or military POW who came home alive. Maj. Gen. Ed Mechenbier, of Dayton, is a former POW. He said lying is one thing, but if someone lies about their military service for monetary gain, they should be prosecuted for violating the Stolen Valor Act. Mechenbier said, “I’d like to see people who do this exposed only, No. 1, if they need help or No. 2, if they are doing it for their own gain and profit in an illegal manner.” The Stolen Valor Act became law in 2006. |