TORONTO – Cellphone video captured the moment a furious ex-Army medic confronted a panhandler he claims was impersonating a U.S. soldier this past Sunday.
Now the video has become a viral sensation, with some praising his decision to call out the supposed “phony,” while others deride him for being too confrontational with the mendicant.
In a video uploaded to his own YouTube account, former Army combat medic Garrett Goodwin confronts a panhandler dressed in U.S. Army fatigues near MacDill Airforce Base in Tampa, Florida.
“Take off my uniform. Take that and throw it in the garbage. I don’t want you to wear it anymore. That’s my uniform. My brothers died for that uniform,” Goodwin is heard saying in the video.
Goodwin later told News Channel 8 in Tampa Bay that he was coming back from lunch when he spotted the man panhandling in the uniform in South Tampa.
“Well, it made me sad at first. I think pain leads to anger and frustration. Then I was disgusted, angry, frustrated, then motivated,” he said.
With his cousin recording on his cellphone, Goodwin approaches the man and begins to question him about certain things Goodwin says were suspicious: In what capacity did he serve? Where is his Veterans ID card? Why is he wearing an ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) patch, signifying he’s part of the college-based training program for U.S. Army officers?
Apparently not happy with the answers he gets, Garret pursues the man down the street, demanding that he remove the uniform.
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“You’re obviously not a veteran,” an angry Goodwin is heard shouting. “You’re wearing a veteran’s uniform out here, telling people you’re a veteran, and asking for money.”
The panhandler is heard saying he “doesn’t want any trouble,” and continually attempts to back away as the angry ex-soldier confronts him.
Original video: Ex-Army medic confronts panhandler wearing soldier’s uniform
Afterwards, Garrett sent the video to Guardians of Valour, an online group whose stated mission is to “out those who falsely claim Military service and/or claim unauthorized medals or tabs.”
The group posted the video to their Facebook page where it quickly went viral, having been viewed by over 1.8 million people.
And while many of the responses were in favour of Goodwin’s action in calling out the alleged fake, some are also questioning whether his aggression was merited.
“There’s a right way and a wrong way to do this. First, don’t chase the guy through traffic. Second don’t ask for ID, even if he is a vet, he’s most likely not going to have one. Lastly, take the person aside, calmly and discuss it,” reads one comment on the group’s Facebook page.
Goodwin says his anger was the result of losing a friend and fellow veteran only a short while ago.
“I’m mourning my friend, and then I see this guy. I see this guy in uniform dishonouring that, and it was more than I can bear. Right is right, and wrong is wrong,” Goodwin said.
Known as “Stolen Valour,” the act of impersonating a soldier is a crime with an emotional and moral implication far beyond its legal punishment.
Just this past November, a furor was raised in this country after the CBC interviewed a man on Rememberance Day who was revealed to have been impersonating a Canadian solider.
Franck Gervais later pleaded guilty to the unlawful use of a military uniform and unlawful use of military decoration.
As for the Tampa man, Goodwin admits he can’t be 100 per cent sure the man wasn’t an actual U.S. Army veteran. But he’s willing to bet on it.
“If it turns out he’s an honourably discharged veteran, I will personally give him $1,000 cash and personally spend the hours that it takes to get him into the VA system,” Goodwin told WTSP News.
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