The Fraud Perpetrated by John Kerry

It seems I've been crying a lot lately. The guy I had my first crush on got killed in Vietnam, so did my brother's best friend. It makes me remember all the people I knew who went and served honorably but never got the respect they deserved.

I'll never forget the young man who came to our high school to get his diploma after serving in the Marines. He had been in Vietnam and he lent a certain maturity and seriousness to our lives but he was a great guy. I was a stupid, boy-crazy 15 year old and he was at the house with my brother. He had his Marine annual and let my sister and I look at it. We were impressed at all the good-looking guys and were laughing and giggling but we both chose the same guy as being a dreamboat. We took the annual to Skip and asked him if he knew Michael Box. When we said his name he just broke down and bawled and said that Michael was his best friend and that he had died saving him. I've rarely felt so bad in my life as I did at that moment and have often wondered how or why we chose that particular guy to ask about. Life is funny. This was before Skerry did his protesting but I know it had to wound these ex-soldiers who had fought honorably and families who lost friends and sons and brothers.

I think this controversy might be a Godsend. Not just to point out Skerry's disgraceful behavior but a chance to recognize the heroes we have in our midst who never got their duly earned respect.

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