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Ex-POW Corrects Sen. Kerry- war hero
Internet Commentary ^ | February 3, 2004 | Mark A. Smith

Posted on 02/14/2004 7:00:13 AM PST by tvn

WHO IS JOHN KERRY, WAR HERO?

Everyday the media tiptoes around John Kerry as if he is an icon of service to the Nation. But why is his service to the nation in war not balanced against his return to longhaired freakdom to march against his fellow veterans still in the war, including myself? I was especially incensed when my communist captors quoted him in propaganda.

I had a discussion with Senator Kerry in Bangkok, Thailand. He made some surprising statements during that exchange. He stated emphatically that I should provide him with any information I had on missing Americans. This he stated he would take to Hanoi to discuss with the Communists. He didn't seem to understand the Communists knew where the POWs were and needed no help from him to "find them." Expert on war? Hardly! He then stated that no matter what I had there would be no military operation to rescue them. In other words, Senator Kerry felt that Americans were worth talking about, but not worth fighting for.

Kerry brought up his service on patrol boats in Vietnam in a very defensive way with me, "you weren't the only one in that war, I was on those patrol boats?" My answerer "surely you are not attempting to compare anything you did in that war to my contribution to that endeavor!" I did not say that to belittle the Senator, but to only give him a reality check. He said he had an important appointment. The insinuation was it dealt with the MIAs. Then a small child came up to us and said, "my Mom said it is time to go." Kerry sheepishly moved away. "All show and no go," just another paper thin ego.

I was invited to lunch by his staffer Francis. She stated in an adoring manner that John Kerry would some day be the President of the United States. My answer was short and succinct," Based on what?" She said, "He's a war hero." I said, "but he then marched in a filthy uniform and threw his medals over the White House fence." She then told me the medals were someone else's. I merely stated it showed disrespect to honors received on the battlefield by "Someone." End of discussion on that.

Someone in the Asian customs stated a rumor that Senator Kerry purchased a tiger skin in Vietnam and officials were told to ignore it. Somehow Vietnam Veterans got the story and as far as I know, there has never been a denial from the great "environmentalist" John Kerry. But true or not it gives a good look at how Kerry operates. Take the "war hero" the next. Take the "Champion of MIAs" one day and the "we aren't going to war for them" the next day and you have John Kerry.

Senator Kerry threatened to order me before his committee unless I gave him intelligence to carry to Hanoi. My answer? "you do not have to order me before your committee, I'll be there." I waited but, when I called Francis and said I was in America and ready to put the record straight on the rumor about Ross Perot being spread by committee staff, she said." I'm sorry Mark we have run out of money to bring you here." I said; "I have miles to burn and will pay my own way." She said she would discuss it with Kerry and get back to me. I never heard from her or the "War Hero" again. Vietnam Veterans beware. The best way to describe John Kerry's attempts to be all things to all people is, "Heinz 57."

There has been much sniping at President Bush for being a fighter pilot in the Air National Guard. Liberals who seem to believe September Eleventh was somehow our fault and most surely the President's, laugh at his flying to an aircraft carrier to welcome home U.S. Troops. They said he looked silly dressed as a pilot. No candidate for President had more right to dress like that, than George Bush; he is a fighter pilot. Where were these people, when the draft dodging Clinton wore a "Tanker Jacket" when visiting the troops? A part of a uniform he evaded wearing in time of war. I hope Kerry does not show up to see the troops, if elected, in the ragged field jacket and head ban, he wore in the peace marches. When time to honor a battlefield hero, I hope he does not have a "flashback" and throw our Nation's highest award over the White House fence. After all, he does think throwing other people's medals over that fence is all right.

Lastly, as Guard and Reserve Troops fight and die for our freedom, I don't want any Commander In Chief who would think their service a joke. Further, if the big time Vietnam Veteran Kerry knew a thing about the Vietnam War, other than how deep the river was, he would know Guard and Reserve Pilots regularly flew combat missions in Vietnam. I for one appreciated the support.

"War Hero?" O.K., he received the Silver Star. But, "Expert" on war? No John, but those of us who are, will take the honest leadership of President Bush anytime over you. You have not changed a bit from the time of the Vietnam War. Your wet finger is still in the air checking the political winds, before making any decision or changing one already made. We are at war and I know war. Your brand of equivocation on every issue costs lives in a war and I don't want more dead and wounded here and abroad. You went to war and then marched against it and those of us who still fought. I know you as "Springtime Patriot" and then as a "Winter Soldier." People should look up what you said during your "Winter Soldier" days. You voted for the present war and now you condemn it. You may be an Ivy League graduate, but, your war record is minor league and your leadership is straight out of the "Waffle House." If being President is going to be based on medals earned in battle, there are a whole lot of us in front of you, John Kerry. There is one last thing that places all of your fellow veterans ahead of you in the honor department, with the exception of a few of your fellow "Winter Solders." We had too much respect for our fellow warriors, who fell on the field of battle, to throw even our lowest award over the White House fence. If you keep running on the "warrior ticket," you will lose sailor! For on that ticket, you are who you have always been.......NOBODY.

Mark A. Smith - DSC Major, USA, Retired Member, The Legion of Valor Returned Prisoner of War 2723 West 179th Street Torrance, CA 90504


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 04elections; 2004; kerry; senjohnf; vietnamveterans
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To: secretagent
In his book "Stolen Valor" B.G. Burkett says that Kerry's speech was not "off-the-cuff" but carefully rehearsed. And the speech was actually written by a speechwriter named Adam Walinsky who had worked for Robert Kennedy. (STOLEN VALOR - page 135).

21 posted on 02/14/2004 7:58:29 AM PST by isthisnickcool (Guns!)
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To: tvn
Great post....great read. Thank you.
22 posted on 02/14/2004 7:59:32 AM PST by Southflanknorthpawsis
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To: tvn
I was especially incensed when my communist captors quoted him in propaganda.

This is still the real story. Kerry has lots of explaining and apologizing to do here.

23 posted on 02/14/2004 8:03:27 AM PST by VadeRetro
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To: Mrs Zip; BOBWADE
ping
24 posted on 02/14/2004 8:03:52 AM PST by zip
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To: narby
"his Yale bonesman connections"...GWB is a Bonesman, too. The Bonesman are pledged to help each other. GHWB is also a Bonesman. Interesting to see who gets the help. I guess it will be divided.

vaudine
25 posted on 02/14/2004 8:05:56 AM PST by vaudine
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To: jigsaw

The Moron Vote for Kerry
Vote with your heinzs--end.

26 posted on 02/14/2004 8:06:48 AM PST by harpo11 (Hey, President Bush is Fighting "the evil doers". John Kerry is still fighting Viet Nam.)
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To: tvn
Interesting... BUMP!
27 posted on 02/14/2004 8:08:16 AM PST by jmstein7 (Real Men Don't Need Chunks of Government Metal on Their Chests to be Heroes)
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To: The Wizard
and those of us MEN, who were subjected to the draft, (and you women can just stay out of this...it's like having a baby....that's yours, the draft is ours)

I've never heard it stated better. Why women shouldn't be on the battlefield and they shouldn't feel slighted by it. The Lord knows they throw the having babies thing up in our faces often enough.
28 posted on 02/14/2004 8:11:31 AM PST by johnb838 (Kerry is a traitor.)
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To: kellynla
Kerry has been giving aid and comfort to the enemy and getting Americans killed RIGHT NOW, in the last six months.
29 posted on 02/14/2004 8:13:21 AM PST by johnb838 (Kerry is a traitor.)
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To: narby
I'm beginning to wonder if Kerry's admittedly superficial "wounds" were self inflicted, since no one has come forward that personally saw him get wounded. Also, he seems to have stated at some time that he was a part of killing innocent Vietnamese women and children. Why did he not come forward with the names of the people who did this with him and have them (and himself) prosecuted for war crimes.
If the Democrats insist on calling Bush a "deserter" for rescheduling some Guard drills, why not ask Kerry if 3 superficial wounds make you a "war hero", and if he considers himself guilty or war crimes and if his anti war activity should brand him as a traitor? Republicans better get themselves a Michael Moore our there to bring these things up or Kerry will get away with his fraudulent "war hero" claims.
30 posted on 02/14/2004 8:16:28 AM PST by afz400
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To: jigsaw
John F. Kerry, (D., Waffle House)

Does anyone here like ketchup on waffles?

31 posted on 02/14/2004 8:22:22 AM PST by reg45
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To: tvn
Sen. Kerry- war hero...Benedict Arnold - (Revolutionary) war hero
32 posted on 02/14/2004 8:29:33 AM PST by Intolerant in NJ
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To: isthisnickcool
In his book "Stolen Valor" B.G. Burkett says that Kerry's speech was not "off-the-cuff" but carefully rehearsed. And the speech was actually written by a speechwriter named Adam Walinsky who had worked for Robert Kennedy. (STOLEN VALOR - page 135).

But Walinsky and Kerry both deny it:

Vice President Spiro T. Agnew briefly led the White House charge against Kerry. Appearing in the Bahamas, Agnew said that Kerry, "who drew rave notices in the media for his eloquent testimony before Congress, was later revealed to have been using material ghosted for him by a former Kennedy speechwriter, and to have spent most of his nights in posh surroundings in Georgetown rather than on the Mall with his buddies."

Both of Agnew's charges were false, according to Kerry and Walinsky, the former Kennedy aide to whom Agnew referred.

http://www.boston.com/globe/nation/packages/kerry/061703.shtml

33 posted on 02/14/2004 8:29:33 AM PST by secretagent
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To: johnb838
ain't it the truth...
34 posted on 02/14/2004 8:32:03 AM PST by The Wizard (Slimeocrats are enemies of America)
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To: tvn
I don't think that beaching your Fast Boat to smoke a lone wounded VC is particulatly bright.
35 posted on 02/14/2004 8:32:50 AM PST by Mike Darancette (Bush Bot by choice)
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To: secretagent
I've met B.G. Burkett. I spent the day with him once in 1999. When he was promoting his book "Stolen Valor" and was basically selling the book by himself. He's a top-notch imvestigator. I believe him.
36 posted on 02/14/2004 8:35:13 AM PST by isthisnickcool (Guns!)
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To: solo gringo; tvn
See my posts here .... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1077974/posts#7.....

I left that station after my one year tour the exact month John " Panties Le Bunche" Kerry arrived. Something smells to me, and it sure doesn't smell right.

Nam Vet

37 posted on 02/14/2004 8:39:24 AM PST by Nam Vet
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To: tvn
Why have we not heard from the other crew members of Kerry's boat involved in the attack in the Mekong Delta??????

Fear!!!

38 posted on 02/14/2004 8:46:12 AM PST by hgro
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To: tvn
Great article! BUMP!
39 posted on 02/14/2004 8:52:24 AM PST by Sister_T (Democrats AND The Lamestream Press are the REAL enemies to freedom in the world!)
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To: tvn
I was just wondering if anyone checked on John Kerry's record in the Naval Reserves? Wouldn't he have had to have shown up for his Reserve service? At bio sites such as CNN it states he was in the Reserves up to 1978. Where did he do his Reserve service? Just curious, as I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere. I also don't understand how he kept his commission with his anti-military remarks and protests after his Vietnam service.
40 posted on 02/14/2004 8:55:25 AM PST by mootownkck (What was Kerry's Naval Reserve record?)
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