Those poor, gullible, anti-war advocates should be feeling shamefaced at the news that a man they believed was an Iraq war veteran who admitted to atrocities there has been proven to be a fake. I’m not holding my breath waiting for any apology posted on their Web sites because those so eager to believe the worst about our military have no shame. Fortunately, real heroes will be available to acknowledge this Friday, May 25, 7 p.m. at the College of Staten Island when our local heroes at the NYPD Baseball Club face the U.S. Military All Stars in a fund-raiser for a great program benefiting our military fighting abroad.

Police Officer Jose Vazquez, president of the NYPD Baseball Club, says, “The U.S. Military All Stars, based in San Diego, is the fastest growing, most successful and first joint military baseball program since the Vietnam War. Many of the players have recently returned from deployment in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the global war on terrorism. They represent some of the most talented athletes in the service and have been selected among thousands of personnel worldwide to represent the Armed Forces.”

Of course, the American public hears little about anything positive about our military since the war in Iraq began. Politicians like Rep. John Murtha have likened some in our all-volunteer military to those who participated in the My Lai massacre in Vietnam. So when Jesse Adam Macbeth, 23, turned up claiming in 2005 to have been awarded a Purple Heart for his service, which he said included slaughtering innocents in a Fallujah mosque, his atrocity story was eagerly disseminated on the Internet. Iraq Veterans Against the War was one such group only too eager to have a soldier confirm their own agenda. No one bothered to check Mr. Macbeth’s actual military record which shows he was discharged after six weeks training, kicked out in 2003 because of his “entry level performance and conduct.”

Instead, anti-war groups posted videos or statements containing Mr. Macbeth’s claims on their sites. Mr. Macbeth is shown wearing a camouflage jacket, describing his experience in Iraq: “We would burn their bodies … hang their bodies from the rafters in the mosque,” he said.

Mr. Macbeth’s lies were exposed last year and his video was removed from most sites, however, his claims are still being broadcast on some anti-war blogs. He is just now being charged with one count of using or possessing a forged or altered military discharge certificate, and one count of making false statements in seeking benefits from the Veterans Administration. A spokeswoman for Iraq Veterans Against the War, Amadee Braxton, told AP reporters, “He approached us in early 2006, posing as a war veteran. He seemed very emotionally distressed about his experiences.”

Mr. Macbeth’s fake testimony received much more mainstream press than the photo of Air Force Master Sgt. John Gebhardt. He was stationed at the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group in Balad, Iraq and was photographed last October sleeping in a chair holding an Iraqi child whose entire family was executed by insurgents who also shot her in the head. The child survived but can only be comforted by Sergeant Gebhardt who rocks her nightly to sleep. Other snaps I receive from Iraq show similar compassion by our soldiers and the warmth they receive from grateful Iraqis.

What the Democrats are doing to their morale by calling for their retreat before victory is unacceptable, and I’m hoping New Yorkers will show their true respect by supporting this fund-raiser. The game is being held during Fleet Week, which will take on a special meaning with the military visiting our great city.

Proceeds will support the Staten Island Project Homefront. It is a non-profit all volunteer organization focusing on fund-raising and supporting deployed military now serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The goal is to support all military personnel regardless of military affiliation while they are deployed to combat areas. Tickets are $5, and can also be purchased at the gate. The organization’s Web site is www.siprojecthomefront.org.

The U.S. Military All Stars appear at these events to increase the awareness of Americans in regard to the honorable sacrifices our Armed Forces make each and every day. There are no words to describe the pride and relief I feel to know that our country can still produce soldiers like Sergeant Gebhardt and so many others like him. Whenever I can, I plan to show this side, that of the true warriors willing to fight and put their lives on the line for our freedom and others. God bless America.