Replies

Great post. The hate politics is real bad, and; most of the hate is based on the fact that they, (DEMS), want to regain power. Those who claim to be open minded, should look back at the DEMS history on defense spending and how they cut our active duty forces to bare bones time and time again.

You nailed it about the great job offers for Vets after RVN. The GI Bill had not changed since WWII. Veterans with combat disabilities were ignored by a number of VA hospitals or doctors. After some 9 years of active duty, I decided to join a Veterans organization in 75. I did feel unwelcome, but; that has changed. I recall the anti war hippies and their rants,rallies,hate, and their blame our troops BS on the college campus, while on bootstrap in 70-72 at UNO.I was still on active duty then.

The bottom line is- I recall a much nicer, more civilized, and more cooperative Congress in early 50 to even 70. Most of our elected officials were WWII vets with civil tongues. and; most had class, manners, and respect for each other.

Then came Kerry and Fonda peace BS, plus a few others, and; Congress and politics has never been the same. How do we expect kids to be respectful these days, when they hear the hate speech by our elected leaders directed at each other? It is both sides now. I do feel that Howard Dean is the master of hate. This divide and conquer is tearing this country apart, and; it is playing into the hands of our enemies.

It is like the same old VVAW is back to their dirty work again, and; they will use anyone to push their hate. Read "Stolen Valor." See who these wannabe/poser VVAW types really are.

If folks really care about our troops, please do not put this VVAW/Code Pink/Murtha/Kerry's crap on them. Our military is the reason people have the rights they have. They protect you 24/7/365 a year. The do it because they love this country. Unfortunately, we have some sad men, who feel that nothing is worth fighting for and nothing is worth dying for. They should hang their heads in shame.

DO NOT BREAK THE HEARTS OF OUR MILITARY AGAIN.

Stolen Valor is an excellent book. Another, but less notable one is Unheralded Victory by Mark W. Woodruff.

After I decided to not make the Army my career in 1977, right after Carter's amnesty to Draft Dodgers, and after 8 years active duty, I had occasion to draw some GI Bill benefits for education. As usual, checks were very slow in coming. A few calls to the VA elicited the response that I just needed to be patient. After all, it wasn't like I earned the benefit or anything. I was actually told that and luckily was on the phone, not across the desk from the VA rep, who it turned out, had never spent a day in any branch of the Military, much less a single day in Viet Nam.

I am only one man but will do whatever I can to prevent our young Service-members today from having done to them what was done to us. I thank them when I see them in uniform and have even anonymously paid for their dinners at restaurants when one is there in uniform. And, as you can see, have no problem speaking out in their defense where needed.