[jude24]

do you have a credible source explaining Clelands injuries as a "training accident"

I retract "training accident." There are very few sources out there that aren't right-wing blogs. Best I can find is a 1999 Esquire interview, where he says he went out to set up a radio unit, one of his fellow soliders dropped a live grenade, he picked it up, and it went off. (Source).

Best I can do without a trip to the library. But it appears, from the only non-partisan article I can find via Google, that this indeed was in the line of duty.

The crux of my argument stands - it is reprehensible for some keyboard jockeys, because of partisan disagreements, to belittle the sacrifices of a man who volunteered to fight in Khe Sanh and who lost three limbs to a grenade, friendly or not. F--- anyone who says otherwise.

[Coop]

So you're retracting now? Sounds like you were assassinating someone's character. Shame!!

[digger48]

Now, you've got to admit that that was a puff-piece about Cleland. Not dismissing the possiblility, but I missed he part where he "volunteered". If an oversight, my apologies to him and you.

I also know men (one who works for me), who volunteered for 'Nam.
A semi-worthless drunk, who uses his Purple Heart status as victimhood at every opportunity. (couple of stitches from frags)

Now, I admire the men who fought, but I refuse to grant "Hero Status" to all. It diminishes those who actually are.

Kinda like Max.

[digger48]

Ok, saw where he volunteered. My apologies to him and you.

[driftdiver]

"Best I can find is a 1999 Esquire interview, where he says he went out to set up a radio unit, one of his fellow soliders dropped a live grenade, he picked it up, and it went off."

key point is that it wasn't in combat. So either he dropped it, or the fellow soldier tried to frag him.

"it is reprehensible for some keyboard jockeys, because of partisan disagreements, to belittle the sacrifices of a man who volunteered to fight in Khe Sanh and who lost three limbs to a grenade, friendly or not. F--- anyone who says otherwise."

Haven't found any source that says he volunteered for Khe Sanh. Its also inappropriate to put Khe Sanh and him getting fragged in the same light. Additionally many people on here have served voluntarily. Does that make us all heros? If a hero can't judge another "hero" than who can?