Conduct Unbecoming: Kerry and the Special Forces Officer

S/SGT Robert A McDowell SFA Chapter LXIV ^ | January 26, 2004 | Stephen Sherman

[corsair]

Subject: Kerry and the Special Forces Officer

January 26, 2004

Commentary (U.S.)
Conduct Unbecoming
By STEPHEN SHERMAN

A turning point may have been reached in the Iowa Caucuses when Special Forces Lt. James Rassmann came forward to thank John Kerry for saving his life in Vietnam. Although Mr. Rassmann, like most of my veteran friends, is a Republican, he said that he'd vote for Mr. Kerry. I don't know if The incident influenced the caucus results. But I took Special interest in the story because Jim served in my unit.

Service in Vietnam is an important credential to me. Many felt that such service was beneath them, and removed themselves from the manpower pool. That Mr. Kerry served at all is a reason for a bond with fellow veterans; that his service earned him a Bronze Star for Valor ("for personal bravery") and a Silver Star ("for gallantry") is even more compelling.

Unfortunately, Mr. Kerry came home to Massachusetts, the one state George McGovern carried in 1972. He joined the Vietnam Veterans Against the War and emceed the Winter Soldier Investigation (both financed by Jane Fonda). Many veterans believe these protests led to more American deaths, and to the enslavement of the people on whose behalf the protests were ostensibly being undertaken.

But being a take-charge kind of guy, Mr. Kerry became a leader in the VVAW and even testified before Congress on the findings of the Investigation, which he accepted at face value In his book "Stolen Valor," B.G. Burkett points out that Mr. Kerry liberally used phony veterans to testify to atrocities they could not possibly have committed.

Mr. Kerry later threw what he represented as his awards at the Capitol in protest. But as the war diminished as a political issue, he left the VVAW, which was a bit too radical for his political future, and was ultimately elected to the Senate. After his awards were seen framed on his office wall, he claimed to have thrown away someone else's medals - so now he can reclaim his gallantry in Vietnam.

Mr. Kerry hasn't given me any reason to trust his judgment. As co-chairman of the Senate investigating committee, he quashed a revealing inquiry into the POW/MIA issue, and he supports trade initiatives with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam while blocking any legislation requiring Hanoi to adhere to basic human rights. I'm not surprised that there are veterans who support a VVAW activist, if only because there are so few fellow veterans in politics. Ideally, there'd be many more. If you are going to vote on military appropriations, it would be nice if you didn't disrespect the soldiers. Congress hasn't had the courage to declare war in more than 60 years, despite numerous instances in which we have sent our military in harm's way. Of all the "lessons of Vietnam," surely one is that America needs a leader capable of demonstrating in himself, and encouraging in others, the resolve to finish what they have collectively started. But the bond between veterans has to be tempered in light of the individual's record.

Just as Mr. Kerry threw away medals only to claim them back again, Sen. Kerry voted to take action against Iraq, but claims to take that vote back by voting against funding the result. So I can understand my former comrade-in-arms hugging the man who saved his life, but not the act of choosing him for president out of gratitude. And I would hate to see anyone giving Mr. Kerry a sympathy vote for president just because being a Vietnam veteran is "back in style." Mr. Sherman was a first lieutenant with the U.S. Army Fifth Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Vietnam, 1967-68.

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"I respect and support LT Steven Sherman's opinions on Mr. Kerry. Steven Sherman has been a great asset to SF History and Truth. He has a REAL SPECIAL FORCES Interest at heart, and only speaks from intense research and knowledge."
HIS Site is http://www.greenberet.net/books/FNG.htm

S/SGT Robert A McDowell SFA Chapter LXIV

[corsair]

I am a Vietnam War vet. Stephen Sherman covers many of the reasons I oppose John Kerry as a candidate for anything except to be Jane Fonda's towel boy.

[Robert Lomax]

So John Kerry served in Viet Nam, big deal. Isn't it funny how the pendulum swings. Its taken thirty years but now its a badge of honor to have served in Viet Nam. Does serving in a war/conflict make someone honorable. Hitler served in the German army in WW1, so I guess he was qualified to lead the German people. He11, that Libyan dictator and Castro both still wear their uniforms, does that mean they're qualified to be leaders of their countries? I have to question the character of anyone who would vote for a fellow (soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine) based on the fact that person was a buddy in Nam. Kind of makes you wonder what kind of character such an individual has. We once had a Civil War in this country where brothers raised arms up against their own brothers based on political issues that were grounded in principle and backed up with individual character and a musket. I'm not advocating civil war, but I gotta wonder where those kinds of individuals are today?

Semper Fi

[jstolarczyk]

Kerry's service in Viet Nam means nothing, he abandoned us veterans long ago. Jim Rassmussen should be ashamed. Kerry even voted against a pay raise for the troops in 1993, while voting to increase their income taxes. He tried to disband the CIA, end the B2 bomber etc.. Review the man's record. Until he decided to run for President we veterans matter little to him. Now he hides behind our skirts to prevent people from attacking his voting records, and Jim Rassmussen enables him.

[KFriedConserv]

From state of MA. Commanded a boat in war time. Won war medals. A Catholic. Initials JKF.

...scary stuff!

As for veterans, attacking them makes me nervous. Its a no win situation.

[Coop]

Bet you've managed to coax yourself into attacking President Bush a time or two, haven't ya? :-)

Welcome to the forum.

[KFriedConserv]

Attack is a strong word. Last thing I attacked was a plate of hot wings. I'm not too happy with this arts thing I read about to though.

[jstolarczyk]

Just as Kerry claims to be a vet and can make the statements he does, I to am a vet, I have served in a combat zone and am currently a Naval Reservists facing my third mobilization in the last four years. Obviously as a former Marine and Viet Nam ERA vet (I was a Marine when Saigon fell, I was not in country)I could retire and avoid this mobilization, but I have a duty to my country and to support the Navy when it asks. As a vet from that era, I was despised and treated like smelly stuff on someone's shoes. We were told not to travel to certain areas in California because the liberal, porgressives like Kerry were singling us out for harassment because of our haircuts. I was treated like this until 1981 and a Republician president. I was treated that way by people influencesd by Dewey Canyon, Hanoi Jane and JOHN F'ing KERRY. I believe Viet Nam vets that support this man need to remember there were no welcome home parades because of people like Kerry. So yes, Kerry is scary and I wonder about those vets that support him. I also wonder about those that abandon Bush at a time like this.

[Robert Lomax]

Semper Fi Marine. You too no doubt learned to how to detect "fake motivation" at an early age out on the "grinder". Whatever has been said about Kerry can be repeated when talking about General Clark. The fact that he's a retired General is a disqualifier for me. I never knew a good officer that liked to rub shoulders with politicians.

[Coop]

Attack is a strong word.

Your word.

[jstolarczyk]

When I look a Clark, I wonder why so many of his fellow Generals and Admirals seem to go quietly into that good night after they retire. I met General Schwartzkopf, nice guy, minus a few TV appearances he never used his popularity to gain further power. Tommy Franks gave a great interview in "Cigar Afficinado", he is not out there stumping. What is the motivation of Clark, who does not have the popularity of a Powell or Schwartzkopf, nor the record of a Tommy Franks. Most importantly, why was he really fired?!

[Robert Lomax]

Incoming Freepmail devildog.

[jstolarczyk]

Problems, Kerry commanded a swift boat on a River, not a PT boat in the Pacific. Hero's in this century change with every new playoff game, in the 50's and 60's Americans respected those that fought in that popular war. MA is commonly referred to as the People's Republic of..MA, in the real JFK's time it was know for tea parties and Bunker Hill. JF'ingK, is pro tax and spend and never met a tax cut he didn't hate. the real JFK cut taxes. Veterans are not sacrosanct, do not attack our troops, but vets are fair game in politics. But I would really like to see vets doing the attacking!

[counterpunch]