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New state law targets fake veterans By the Editorial Board

Erie Times-News - 6/30/2017

WEB STORY

Standing for vets: Despicable people have been known to lie about military service or decorations on their way to claiming benefits they do not deserve. A new law in Pennsylvania makes it a crime to try and steal soldiers' valor.

Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday signed into law Allegheny County state Rep. Rick Saccone's "stolen valor" bill, which received unanimous bipartisan support in the Legislature. The new law makes it a misdemeanor offense to falsely claim veteran status for financial gain, such as health care benefits or preferential hiring benefits reserved for veterans.

"Our service members deserve the utmost honor and respect, and criminals who deceitfully masquerade as veterans degrade our true American heroes and their families," Saccone said, according to www.triblive.com.

Wolf noted that Pennsylvania has the fourth-largest veteran population in the nation. "It is our duty to be certain that benefits for those veterans are available to those who have earned them," he said.

Boat smart: A riled up Lake Erie is no match for small watercraft. By all means, enjoy all of the watery joys the lake and Presque Isle Bay offer. But please, for safety's sake, pay attention to weather advisories, especially advisories for small craft, and wear a life preserver no matter how fine a swimmer you are.

On June 17, U.S. Coast Guard Station Erie crews rescued 21 people in three separate incidents over six and one-half hours after the wind whipped up waves in excess of 4 feet. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt.

Two kayakers got swamped by waves in the lake channel. A 28-foot charter boat took on water 3 miles offshore of the Walnut Creek Access in Fairview Township. In the third incident, a 22-foot pontoon boat with 12 people aboard capsized near Dobbins Landing in Presque Isle Bay.

The National Weather Service in Cleveland had issued a small craft advisory Saturday. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class James Stephenson said in a news release that the rescues highlighted the importance of wearing a life jacket at all times and knowing the weather conditions before boating.

Any of the incidents crews responded to on June 17 could have ended tragically, he rightly noted.

Be careful out there.

Upstaged: The Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority unveiled the newly renovated Highmark Amphitheater at Liberty Park on Tuesday.

The damaged fabric canopy is gone, replaced by a sturdy, sensible and aesthetically appealing permanent roof made of hard plastic and supported by glue-laminated wooden beams. The project cost $570,000 and should survive whatever weather Mother Nature chooses to dish out.

Concertgoers enjoyed rock music from Money Shot 2.0 and Steve Augeri, a former frontman for Journey, all while taking in the view of the sparkling waters of Presque Isle Bay beyond. Ah, summer.