Bottom line: if you're thinking of lying about your military service in public--don't do it. It's a simple matter to check it out. You may have heard about this guy on one of the too many boring talent shows Americans can't seem to get enough of telling everyone he was hit by a rocket-launched grenade that broke his back gave him a stutter while serving in Afghanistan in '09. Then he sang his little song and every gave him a standing ovation while weeping crocodile tears. It was like a Reader's Digest story come to life. I didn't see it but I read about it.

Turns out, the National Guard can't confirm his story and stated he was only in Afghanistan for a month in 09. Apparently he worked as supply man and wasn't on the battlefield. He has no record of receiving a purple heart. It is virtually inconceivable that he could be telling the truth. Of course, he should have his military records and can prove everything he said. I still have mine. Those records track everywhere you went and everything you did in a military capacity. I even know when I took leave because the leave chits are in my record. There's also the problem of his being able to walk and play and sing when a broken back is a very serious injury. You're not going to have a lot of time to play guitar while recuping. His stutter also disappeared during the show.

But why did he think he'd get away with it? The more heroic the claims, the more you can be sure someone is going to check it out.

George Bush's grandfather, Prescott Sheldon Bush, went to Europe in WWI and sent a letter home detailing how "Captain Bush" was assigned to drive around 3 top generals of the US, France and Britain. In the course of showing them around, he saw a shell coming at them, drew his sword and batted it away so that it exploded harmlessly nearby.

The generals were so impressed by the captain's bravery that each bestowed upon him the highest medals of their respective countries which Captain Bush wore proudly as he led a parade in his honor the following day.

Prescott's mum was so impressed by her darling boy's exploits that she sent the letter to the papers which printed it. Of course, reporters became suspicious and checked into the story. It wasn't only false, it was impossible. You can't bat away a shell with a sword. Hell, you can't even see the shell coming because it's moving so goddamn fast. It got back to Bush's superiors who called him in on the carpet and Bush was forced to retract the story. Mommy Bush then sent her own retraction to all the papers.

The story followed Bush around for years and even into Congress when he was elected to the Senate.

So, don't lie about that stuff. It comes back.