I think there is some confusion here as to when medals and decorations are worn on mufti. In the UK and the Commonwealth, they are only worn on Remembrance Day, ANZAC Day, various regimental days, church parades and other appropriate events. I can't imagine why anyone would find fault with ex-servicemen displaying their medals on said days.
Sorry to take this off topic a little, and with the greatest respect to the US servicemen / women, from a former member of the commonwealth services.

http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/medalsinnz.html

Medallic recognition is hard to obtain due to strict requirements and limitations in commonwealth forces.

There are no ribbons for passing basic training, branch specific training, or anything along those lines, just no ribbons period for anything other than medallic recognition.


This, IMHO, is the reason for the showing on those specific days that Todd has mentioned above (this is from my own experience). Then after that day, back in the box they go for a another year...

And honestly, if there is not a church service for a fallen friend, or something along those lines, you will not see medals, ANZAC day not withstanding.

However as Mac' Rath' has stated multiply times on these forums, all the guff about what to wear will be on invitations...

Even then, I don't wear them, I wear them one day a year, ANZAC day.


Phil C