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Man Posing As Navy SEAL Attends Event At Thousand Oaks School

THOUSAND OAKS (AP) — Navy SEALs are especially popular after the raid on Osama bin Laden's hide out in Pakistan, so imagine the patriotic pride when a man in a SEALs uniform showed up at a Ventura County school for a "Thank You Soldiers" tribute.

But it turns out Salhem Dreasden, who wore the SEALs lieutenant uniform to the Ladera Elementary School event in Thousand Oaks last week, was a fake. The military says Dreasden never served in the Navy.

The Ventura County Star says Dreasden was wearing a Navy uniform with his last name, the words "SEAL TEAM," the trident pin insignia of the elite unit and lieutenant bars.

Federal law prohibits the unauthorized wearing of a military uniform.

Dreasden, a friend of a parent at the school, could not be reached for comment.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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