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Its simple, if it is worn with the intent to mislead someone into believing that the said rank/medals/insignia were earned when they were not, I agree, its improper, as is wearing your re-enactment uniform in a place like a plane - there is no valid reason to be wearing it there other than to do just that.
However, re-enactment and military simulation has a long and respectable history going back to the civil war and earlier. Re-enactors play an important role in maintaining public awareness and help keep alive valuable history. A re-enactor goes to great lengths to ensure his/her re-enactment is an accurate portrayal, even going as far as to consult veterans or historical references to get the look and persona correct.
Warriors in the modern era that would accept re-enactors of past conflicts and nations sometimes forget that their own period is just as valid to re-enact as a past one, and in many cases, is just as important to remember and maintain. The vast majority of re-enactors usually revere those they are portraying and have more respect for those they are 'playing' than I think many give credit for. I attribute that to a simple lack of understanding of the motives and purposes by those who see it today.
Airsoft is cannon fodder for a lot of groups like real gun hobbiests, as well as serving members of the military and police services. I've been on the recieving end of that negative response on many occassions and thankfully I am articulate enough to explain it, in detail, and in many cases make new friends who respect why I do it and are subsequently honored by it. There are the few that will always just chalk it up to posing, and well, thats the wonderful thing about a free country - the right to disagree.
Anyone who sees life in the framework of 'absolutes' with no areas of gray or compromise are just socially and mentally inflexible. I don't spend much time trying to change someone who operates like that as its pretty much a waste of time because they lack the capacity or empathy to extend themselves to another point of view. -MikeL- 's posts are precisely that and I wouldn't spend another minute debating it with him, or anyone else on that other board. Move on to something productive.
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