Vet Sells Army Medal On eBay To Make Money For His Family
Army vet Bill Shephard was in desperate need of money after returning home from Iraq unable to find a job, so he did what he needed to do in order to survive, he put his Army medal on eBay.
According to Shephard in an interview with MyFox Washington
“When I saw the amount that was posted on eBay, when I saw that it was $2,000, it was just, it was overwhelming.”
Shephard who has a wife and three young kids says at one point he was standing under a bridge with a sign that read “will work for food”
The Army vet had tried to find work the old fashion way, earning college credit, applying for tons of jobs and even reaching out to Veteran organization, yet two-and-a-half years later the Army vet couldn’t find work.
Shephard tells Fox Philadelphia
“I’ve tried until the point where I started my own business and went door to door because, at a certain point, you can’t sit around and wait for somebody to call you. You have to get active and make some money.”
It turns out the medal selling business is vibrant even in a slow economy. The medal has raised more than $5000 and Bill Shephard says he’ll use that money to buy a new lawn mower and trailer to expand his landscaping business.
After the medal was listed Shephard not only received bids, he received calls and emails offering assistance.
In the meantime Bill’s sergeant has called the selling of the medal a slap in the face to his fellow soldiers and the Army.
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Jun 22, 2012
Guilt..>? wonder who invented that? dumbass Christians.
Jun 22, 2012
It is not a slap in the face. The man had to do what he had to do to support his family. His sergeant needs to go through what this gentleman did. If I had a way to help him and his family I would. But we are having hard times also. All of my prayers go to this man and his family for God to protect and provide for them.
Jun 22, 2012
Has his sergeant offered any financial assistance to this man? If not, he has no place to criticize him!
Jun 22, 2012
Gotta do what you have to do is right…But I have heard that Vets are contacting oil companies and getting training and jobs..
Jun 22, 2012
That sergeant needs to have a slap in the face for a wake up call. This man is trying to feed his family, the government surely won't help him even after his sacrifices. This mans family is more important than any medal on this planet, PERIOD. If this sergeant thinks the medal is more important than feeding onces family, he must be a well liked sergeant! (NOT) The medal is just a symbol, his family is his life….
Jun 22, 2012
That sergeant needs to have a slap in the face for a wake up call. This man is trying to feed his family, the government surely won't help him even after his sacrifices. This mans family is more important than any medal on this planet, PERIOD. If this sergeant thinks the medal is more important than feeding onces family, he must be a well liked sergeant! (NOT) The medal is just a symbol, his family is his life….
Jun 22, 2012
as a fellow soldier, its not a slap in the face. His sgt should've done what he is suppose to do as a leader and helped him, not just talk down to him.
Jun 22, 2012
Doesnt sound like a nice thing to say Mark. Is there a purpose for your comment?
Jun 22, 2012
Not true. Christ wants you to live guilt free that's why he sent his one and only Son for you. Satan wants you to live with guilt so you are in bondage.
Jun 22, 2012
Perhaps Bill's sergeant could have helped him and other 's like Bill by promoting program/policy for Vets leaving service to become employed.
Jun 22, 2012
right on Todd!!
Jun 22, 2012
The man had to do what he needed to support his family..Wow a medal looks real good when you don't have a place to put, like in a house.
Jun 22, 2012
i think thats FUCKED UP that people fight for the usa over sea come home and get shitted on by the usa poeple put they life a risk for this country and struggle to survive once they get home
Jun 22, 2012
im starting to see that this country is very fucked up. if you are not from this country come here to live the usa gives them a lot but if you are from here the usa wont give you nothing
Jun 23, 2012
There’s more honor in his everyday struggle and sacrifice to provide for his family than any medal of honor; I wish him the best, being able to raise your kids, keep a roof over your families head and food on the table is a great achievement.
Jun 24, 2012
Its not a slap in the face, hard times happen to all of us. Just search ebay or any other auction site. There are Veterans in need from Iraq and Afganistan trying to make ends meet when all else fails. Seriously if you have the means to help out why does it hurt to do it?
Jun 24, 2012
First of all, the concept of "original sin" flies in the face of an "omniscient" God? Why would he create "mistakes"? duh?? The church via guilt enslaves you from the moment you acquiesce your logic/reasoning to their "hierarchy"…dogma, orthodoxy…whatever you want to call their "guess" on what the true nature of reality is. Why so many intelligent folks abandon religion. My personal belief is: our creator, (if there is one) is revealed in nature, uninvolved with micromanaging our existence and probably found inside our consciousness. But that is my "guess" and I don't pass a plate or establish some rules to govern others by it….
Jun 24, 2012
there is a back story here – that no one knows – and there is a reason the Sergeant said this – its a slap in the face to all of those patriotic people who will donate to him. Reporters don't always get the whole story.
Jun 24, 2012
there is a back story here – that no one knows – and there is a reason the Sergeant said this – its a slap in the face to all of those patriotic people who will donate to him. Reporters don't always get the whole story.
Jun 24, 2012
there is a back story here – that no one knows – and there is a reason the Sergeant said this – its a slap in the face to all of those patriotic people who will donate to him. Reporters don't always get the whole story.
Jun 24, 2012
there is a back story here – that no one knows – and there is a reason the Sergeant said this – its a slap in the face to all of those patriotic people who will donate to him. Reporters don't always get the whole story.
Jun 24, 2012
there is a back story here – that no one knows – and there is a reason the Sergeant said this – its a slap in the face to all of those patriotic people who will donate to him. Reporters don't always get the whole story.
Jun 24, 2012
there is a back story here – that no one knows – and there is a reason the Sergeant said this – its a slap in the face to all of those patriotic people who will donate to him. Reporters don't always get the whole story.
Jun 24, 2012
there is a back story here – that no one knows – and there is a reason the Sergeant said this – its a slap in the face to all of those patriotic people who will donate to him. Reporters don't always get the whole story.
Jun 24, 2012
Your comment doesn't carify what you might be trying to say….
Jun 25, 2012
You also gotta look at it from the sergeant's point of view. Remember that he's a veteran, too. I've seen no mention of which medal. It could be anything from a Good Conduct Medal to the Medal of Honor. Anyway, who would have any use for a medal other than the soldier who earned it?
Jun 26, 2012
There is a lot more to this story – that is why the SGT said what he did… he knows a lot more of this soldiers history and what he does and has done. A lot of which he could not say to the reporter.
Jun 26, 2012
the man has not done everything he can do to support his family – he has gone to school full time for the past two year – for free (I do think well deserved as a soldier) but has also received the Montgomery GI Bill – in addition to unemployment for 99 weeks. He has also received his National Guard pay – for the drills and for the longer training periods. He did not utilize all of his resources – he is taking advantage of wearing a uniform and getting people to donate to him – it is an easy way out.
Jun 26, 2012
probably after 10 minutes with the SGT and knowing the entire story you would feel differently as a fellow soldier.
Jun 26, 2012
There is a lot more to this story – that is why the SGT said what he did… he knows a lot more of this soldiers history and what he does and has done. A lot of which he could not say to the reporter.
Jun 26, 2012
There is a lot more to this story – that is why the SGT said what he did… he knows a lot more of this soldiers history and what he does and has done. A lot of which he could not say to the reporter.
Jun 26, 2012
There is a lot more to this story – that is why the SGT said what he did… he knows a lot more of this soldiers history and what he does and has done. A lot of which he could not say to the reporter.
Jun 26, 2012
There is a lot more to this story – that is why the SGT said what he did… he knows a lot more of this soldiers history and what he does and has done. A lot of which he could not say to the reporter.
Jun 26, 2012
There is a lot more to this story – that is why the SGT said what he did… he knows a lot more of this soldiers history and what he does and has done. A lot of which he could not say to the reporter.
Jun 26, 2012
this was not a slap in the face to the fellow soldiers or the Army – it was a simple man looking at what he had and supporting his family – instead of leaving his family he stays and fights to keep them all together and taken care of – too many men walk away from that – as for the sergeant if he is still active duty he has yet to face the cold hard world – once he leaves the military he will find it is not an easy place to get a job, feed a family, and hold your head up in unless your bills are paid – me active duty 1975-1979 US Army.
Jun 27, 2012
We give to other countries.and have so many people who are not americians.feeding them and our own people do what ever it yakes to get by.our solders come home to the country they defend.TO KEEP US SAFE.have to do this .WAKE UP AMERICA.WE CAN'T TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN .HOW HOW SAD.
Jun 27, 2012
His SGT needs to STFU. It was his medal, so it's his choice. The price it garnered clearly shows the compassion of the one who bought it. The only question I have is why so much? The AAM is very low in the order of merit in terms of awards.
Jun 30, 2012
I suspect that many soldiers agree with the sergeant, feeling that selling a medal cheapens it. A medal should be acquired by earning it, not buying it. $5,000 is a lot of money to pay for a medal that could be bought at an army-navy store–or online–for a few dollars. But it's not much money for a man with a large family. It will probably last a couple of months, and then what?