Outing a Walt

In the USA and the UK, possibly all over Europe, there are a few people who assume military dress, medals, etc and pose as Forces Veterans. We call them Walter Mitty's or Walts for short and they really anger our ex Forces communuty. We confront them and expose them whenever possible. In the US they call it Stolen Valour He piped the Tunes of Glory As he stood on the street A badged para beret Upturned at his feet, In full Highland dress With his stickert kilt Twitching in the breeze As he played a lively lilt. Something in his dress Just wasn’t quite right; I really didn’t spot it On first sight. From the medals on his chest He was one hundred years old, He must have bought on Ebay Where replicas are sold. I asked his service number A thing no Veteran would forget Its so well drilled in as Part of the military mind set. He didnt know his unit Couldn’t give his rank or name All in all I told him He should disappear in shame. Quite a crowd gathered As I told him face to face; I thought he would brass it out But he left with poor grace. I told the assembled people Why I was so annoyed And why the credibility of such As him should be destroyed. There are Veterans on the streets Too proud to beg or take While the public unwittingly give Hard earned cash to such a fake. Normally I treat street beggars With compassion and pity But I really have no time for Such a shameless Walter Mitty.