I don't think people fawn over him any more cause of the veteran angle, but people like him. Carries himself well, he only drops the military angle cause the UFC promotes that angle as well (Stann isn't near as over the top with it as say Tim Kennedy or Colton Smith.) I know people that like him in particular, but it's because he's an exciting striker, not cause of the US veteran angle.
I also read his book cause I like books about MMA fighters. Dude is a legit war hero. Not to get into a debate over the war or whether US troops were justified, bla bla. It's a moral grey area at best, hopefully people stick to what TC asked. But what Brian Stann did for his squad deserves respect even if you don't agree with why they were there.
EDIT: That being said, war Wanderlei.