Posted on 08/18/2004 12:55:19 PM PDT by Littlejon
The Vietnam War rages on. Witness the barrages being fired by Viet vets on the right and the left: "George W. Bush is a draft-dodger"; "John F. Kerry isn't a war hero."
Once again, that tragic war divides America - and this time around it's vet pitted against vet.
Sure, Bush dodged the draft, along with a reported 14 million other Americans with the savvy to work out that Vietnam was a no-win, sorry war. But although he had the luck and the connections to land a spot in the Air Guard, he did put his butt on the line flying a machine for which he was entitled to hazardous-duty pay - and that's because zooming around in a jet fighter was and still is highly dangerous.
And sure, Kerry's campaign push on how he Ramboed his way through the war - for four months - rubs a lot of vets the wrong way. And it does take its toll on those of us who prefer our heroes to be modest, unassuming types like Alvin York - who stayed the course until it was "Over, over there."
But politics and style aside, Kerry did serve with distinction in Vietnam when he easily could have avoided that killing field. His service to his country shouldn't be diminished by the same despicable, politically motivated tactics visited upon Sens. John McCain in South Carolina and Max Cleland in Georgia, also Viet vets. This kind of gutter-bashing doesn't belong in American politics, and vets shouldn't allow themselves to be used as ammo for cheap shots at one of their own.
The stalwart Brown Water Navy warriors who fought at Kerry's side say he was A-OK, which is good enough for me. The muckrakers such as John O'Neill and his Swiftboat snipers -
(Excerpt) Read more at military.com ...
O'Neill and his chorus of haters are still in their get-Kerry mode. I suspect the decades-long fury is still fueled by Kerry's high-profile anti-war stance when he returned home. That was a position that was taken by hundreds of thousands of other Viet vets, including myself in 1971 - which, according to Joe Califono's recent book, Inside: A Public Life, almost cost me my life.
I guess we now know why Hack lets Kerry slide on his service in VN. I respect hack for his service, but I am coming to respect him as a person less with every article I read.
Congressman Billybob
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Well, Col. Hackworth, you can denigrate the service of those who served in the Air National Guard if you want but I choose to honor them for their service.
If there are any Air National Guardsmen in this forum or children of Guardsmen who served during the Vietnam war I would like to say, "Thank you for your service to your country. God bless you."
This article really has me confused. I had heard from O'Neill and perhaps someone else in the anti-Kerry group that two of the guys who were supporting Kerry (The Swift Boat soldiers ON his boat) were with him a week or less. Are these guys against him really liars or is that just this man's opinion. I thought I had the right story but now I am wondering. However, the fact that Kerry waffled on his Christmas in Cambodia story is more than enough info for me to know that he is a liar.
Who is he to say those in the Guard didn't serve during Vietnam???!!!
The allegations against Kerry have alot more substance than the rumor campaign the McCain faced. Cleland just got smacked for voting like a liberal Democrat in conservative state. What does getting blown up by your own grenade have to do with that?
If he's willing to give John Boy a pass on this, it makes you wonder why he was so rabid about Admiral Boorda's medals.
McCain was beaten to a pulp in the primary for his stupid attack on Christian Conservatives, not because he was a vet. The Swift-Boar Vets are doing this on their own and are not being used as ammo by anyone. They genuinely hate Kerry for numerous reasons and know he exaggerated his stories to earn medals.
You're only confused because the article was written by David Hackworth...a genuine war hero who also has the misfortune to be a world-class a&&hole!
-Toonces
What rumors were spread about McCain? I recall McCain attacking a lot of Christian Conservatives and really pissing off the base.
Hackworth sort of ran that line by rather quickly. Tell us more, sir. And how did it almost cost you your life?
This article is so devoid of facts, but amply filled with opinion. Must be his style.
Hack the slack. Pi$$ on Hack.
Kerry is exactly the type of perfumed prince that Hack used to rail against all the time. It has been a long time since I have taken Hackworth seriously.
From published accounts:
http://www.swiftvets.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1728
Kerry had the 44 boat from 6 Dec 68 until no later than 28 Jan 69. He spent 1 week in COSDIV 11 before being transfered with the boat to COSDIV 13.
He was transferred back to COSDIV 11 and took over the 94 boat about 29 Jan 69 and was relieved on 13 Mar 69
So he was with 5 total crew for about 7 weeks and the 2nd crew of 5 for about 6 weeks.
So barring transfers, that's no more 10 crewmen he would served on a boat with. 1 is dead, 1 is opposed to him which leaves 8. Other than Fred Short, an outspoken supporter who apparently served with Kerry for the grand sum of one day replacing Alston on 28 Feb 69 (the Silver Star day)
Hack the Flack is Back...I think he is a POS!
Hackworth's whole schtick was he was our most decorated vet who turned on the war. I remember it well. The idea was he was for the troops, and the commanders were bad guys.
This is pretty pathetic, seeing as Kerry never pursued any kind of fraternity with other soldiers and fellow Vets until he decided to run for President. Whatever damage is inflicted on John Kerry, will be done by his own hand...not by what the Swifties are doing.
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