Unemployed Army vet gets support, criticism for selling medal
»Play Video
RENTON, Wash. -- When a local veteran put a war medal on eBay, he knew he would get a reaction. But what happened isn't what he expected.
Josh Crowley posted his Army Achievement Medal in hopes of raising money to pull out of debt. Since then, he's been overwhelmed with both offers of help and criticism.
"I have a lot of pride and it's hard to ask for help," he told KOMO 4 News tearfully on Tuesday.
Crowley acknowledged that he made mistakes after his deployment and fell into debt. Since we aired his story, bidding topped $1,000, and viewers have offered to help with more.
But in that same time, Crowley has been hit with a backlash.
Comments from readers on komonews.com include, "He's just another guy looking for a free hand out. Be proactive and quit whining." Another commenter wrote, "he is unfairly using his time in the military as a crutch."
He posted an emotional reaction to the criticism on YouTube -- since taken down due to more negative comments.
In it he said, "I know my hearts in the right place and it's not about me. It's about every vet that's out there struggling."
Crowley says he's taking the comments to heart and wants to funnel some of the generosity he's seeing to other veterans in need.
"If I have to do that to shield other veterans so they don't have to swallow their pride and get on camera and ask for help or sell their medals or whatever, I'll do that," he said.
With an unemployment rate of 12.1% among veterans, Crowley knows many are in deep trouble. He at least is in school on the GI bill and doesn't have a family to support.
"I do feel it's unfair. I do feel guilty I have the spotlight when others deserve it more than I do," Crowley said. "If it's a million negative comments and one positive thing comes out of it for one veteran, that's enough."
If you would like to support Josh Crowley or other veterans, you can make a donation to the the KOMO Problem Solvers fund
Please specify under "special instructions" that the money should go to a veterans group. If you are a veteran in need, be sure to see Help on the Homefront
Josh Crowley posted his Army Achievement Medal in hopes of raising money to pull out of debt. Since then, he's been overwhelmed with both offers of help and criticism.
"I have a lot of pride and it's hard to ask for help," he told KOMO 4 News tearfully on Tuesday.
Crowley acknowledged that he made mistakes after his deployment and fell into debt. Since we aired his story, bidding topped $1,000, and viewers have offered to help with more.
But in that same time, Crowley has been hit with a backlash.
Comments from readers on komonews.com include, "He's just another guy looking for a free hand out. Be proactive and quit whining." Another commenter wrote, "he is unfairly using his time in the military as a crutch."
He posted an emotional reaction to the criticism on YouTube -- since taken down due to more negative comments.
In it he said, "I know my hearts in the right place and it's not about me. It's about every vet that's out there struggling."
Crowley says he's taking the comments to heart and wants to funnel some of the generosity he's seeing to other veterans in need.
"If I have to do that to shield other veterans so they don't have to swallow their pride and get on camera and ask for help or sell their medals or whatever, I'll do that," he said.
With an unemployment rate of 12.1% among veterans, Crowley knows many are in deep trouble. He at least is in school on the GI bill and doesn't have a family to support.
"I do feel it's unfair. I do feel guilty I have the spotlight when others deserve it more than I do," Crowley said. "If it's a million negative comments and one positive thing comes out of it for one veteran, that's enough."
If you would like to support Josh Crowley or other veterans, you can make a donation to the the KOMO Problem Solvers fund
Please specify under "special instructions" that the money should go to a veterans group. If you are a veteran in need, be sure to see Help on the Homefront
