I had a Great Uncle that did 65 missions sitting in a B-17 over Germany-----Never talked about it
I have an Uncle that did three tours over in Nam ---- Never Talks about it.
After being a bar tender/ manager/ past commander of an American Legion post. You find out that those who talk the most...Did the least And that person who sits quietly over in the corner. Was one who was really in the S--T!
Kerry not only goes on & on about it. But took a camera back to reenact his event....Give Me A Break!....Scotty Beam Me Up....
Same here. I have an uncle who was a helicopter pilot in VN, NEVER heard him bring it up, or heard anyone else bring it up in his presence. My best friend in high school was the daughter of a WWII vet. He never talked about that war either, never mentioned that he was a veteran. I only knew because she told me.
An uncle of mine (who kind of raised me after my dad split), was in Patton's 3rd Army, 4th Armored Division and was in Bastogne in the Battle of the Bulge (among other fun places).
He NEVER talked about it (or his wounds). That is until about 1962-63 when a family moved in downstairs and it turned out that the father was in Bastogne too. He was in the 101st Airborne. Those two had a unique experience to share, but even then is was a short talk as I recall.
Also, one of my best friends (US Army) survived an NVA ambush where only 12 made it back alive out of a whole frickin Company (He received a Bronze Star). I was the only one of the guys he shared this with.
Another guy I knew and hung around with in the 1970's was a Marine and was wounded at Khe Sahn in '68 (he was shot in the Buttocks - seriously). He was almost 'embarrassed' to talk about what he'd accomplished.
So yes, real Hero's DON'T brag. Ergo, John Kerry is NO hero.