No Stolen Valor in Oakland: AASEG Co-Founder Ray Bobbitt Did Not Lie About Military Record Period - ATLNews

No Stolen Valor in Oakland: AASEG Co-Founder Ray Bobbitt Did Not Lie About Military Record Period Ray Bobbitt, who's African American Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG) is the owner of the Oakland-Coliseum Complex, is the focus of a fake news attack countered by a high-ranking non-commissioned, retired Marines NCO Officer. A wrongheaded press release has been issued that states "Stolen Valor in Oakland: AASEG Co-Founder Ray Bobbitt Lied About Military Record for Personal Gain". Then it wrongly claims: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) records confirm that Ray Bobbitt, founder of the African American Sports & Entertainment Group (AASEG), lied about being a “highly decorated war veteran.” The official U.S. Marine Corps records prove that Bobbitt’s narrative is false: Bobbitt’s unit never deployed overseas. He did not arrive at Yuma, Arizona on active duty until mere weeks before the war ended. His medals and decorations do not match the medals of a soldier who deployed to combat. For example, Bobbitt does not have the Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM), the Kuwait Liberation Medal, or the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. In other words: Bobbitt never went to war, was not “highly decorated,” and his combat claims are a total fabrication. THIS CLAIM IS FACTUALLY WRONG ON THE PART OF THE PERSON TRYING TO MAKE RAY LOOK BAD WITH FAKE NEWS The truth is anything but that. The press release issued is wrong. A fabrication. A lie. In a letter to Zennie62Media, Inc. First Sergeant Lozano. United States Marine Corps (Ret./Veteran) who knows Raymond L. Bobbitt writes the following: To Whom It May Concern, I am honored to write this letter on behalf of my fellow United States Marine Corps brother, Raymond “Ray” Bobbitt. Ray and I served together in the 4th LAAM Battalion of the United States Marine Corps Reserves. During our time in service, we were both activated alongside our unit under the 4th Marine Air Wing in support of Operation Desert Storm. In recognition of our activation, Ray, myself, and all members of our unit were awarded the National Defense Service Medal. This medal, established in 1953, is a United States Armed Forces service award given to those who serve honorably during designated periods of national conflict. It has been issued for service during the Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, and the Global War on Terrorism. The NDSM is a symbol of commitment, sacrifice, and readiness to serve in defense of our nation. Our activation marked one of the first times in many years that Reserve units had been mobilized during wartime. Nonetheless, Ray and I—along with all our Marine brothers—left our families and civilian lives behind to enter active duty, prepared to train, deploy, and, if necessary, make the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. We are proud Military Veterans who stood ready to serve in the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Desert Storm in which the Department of Defense issued the NDSM for the period of August 2nd 1990 to November 30th 1995 to all service members; Reserves, Active Duty or recruits in boot camp. As Marines, we take our training, our service, and our brotherhood with utmost seriousness. Every medal, ribbon, or device earned is proudly worn on our uniforms as a visible reminder of the sacrifices we have made and the honor of serving our nation and defending it's citizens no matter what race, creed, or color. Ray was trained and served in what is widely regarded as the most elite and demanding military organization in the world—the United States Marine Corps. That distinction is not given; it is earned. All who wear the uniform of any U.S. military branch—whether active duty or reserve—deserve the respect and honor that comes with an honorable discharge. But especially so for Marines, who are often the first to fight and the first to fall in defense of the freedoms that all Americans enjoy. Ray is, and always will be, a lifelong member of our brotherhood. His service to our country is both permanent and irrevocable. We stand together as Marines, ready to support one another at a moment’s notice, and we remain ever willing to defend our nation to this day. As our motto states, Semper Fidelis—Always Faithful. Zennie Abraham Responds To The Wrongheaded Press Release Ray Bobbitt is a close, personal, friend of mine and has been since 2011. Ray has never talked about his service and in fact, I did not know about it until the press release that was sent to Zennie62Media, today. It's wrong. Ray never used his service to advance himself. Moreover, I have known Ray in a variety of situations. In the case of the Return of The Raiders to Oakland, or our attempt to stop the Las Vegas Move, Ray never once used his time with the Marines sving our great country for his advancement. The framer of the press release should retract that statement and apologize to Ray Bobbitt, and thank him for his service
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