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Five years ago, a group of Vietnam veterans came forward at the National Press Club in Washington to dispute the "war hero" stories that formed the basis of candidate John Kerry's presidential campaign, and to challenge the claims of rampant US war crimes Kerry had used to launch his political career 33 years earlier -- false accusations, they said, that helped to poison the reputations of a generation of American troops. The Swift Boat Veterans for Truth included Kerry's entire former chain of command from Vietnam and dozens of eyewitnesses to his actions there. Kerry, the veterans said, was not...

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2009 – Pam Crane sat peacefully in a patch of freshly mowed grass along Highway 27 here in the nation’s capital, remembering her husband, his patriotism and his cause. Bikers from all across the country pull into the Pentagon's north parking lot May 24, 2009, to participate in the 22nd Annual Rolling Thunder rally in Washington, D.C., to remind the nation that many American servicemembers who were prisoners of war or missing in action are still unaccounted for. DoD photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. She...

The Washington Times has partnered with the Internet company Footnote.com on a new project that transforms Washington's Vietnam war memorial wall into an interactive, personal journey on the Web. The Interactive Vietnam Veterans Memorial allows you to search the names on the wall and to drill down into the government's official war records to learn details about each of the 58,000-plus heroes enshrined on the wall. You can also add your own personal stories, remembrances and photographs. (edit) Start by clicking on the "Search the Wall" box, where you can select "Search" or "View." Once you find the name...

The last time Rolling Thunder roared into Washington, the president welcomed the riders in the White House driveway with a smile on his face and heartfelt personal greeting. This year, maybe not. "We initially got a call this year saying the president wasn't going to greet us," said Artie Muller, founder of the group.

Rolling Thunder not expecting Obama greeting By Jennifer Harper Friday, May 22, 2009 The last time Rolling Thunder roared into Washington, the president welcomed the riders in the White House driveway with a smile on his face and heartfelt personal greeting. This year, maybe not. "We initially got a call this year saying the president wasn't going to greet us," said Artie Muller, founder of the group that is marking its 22nd annual patriotic motorcycle ride through Washington to draw attention to policy issues influencing veterans, active-duty military, prisoners of war and those still missing in action. But a second...

National and local political activist, decorated veteran, POW advocate, businessman and master potter Ted Sampley passed away Tuesday. He was 62. Sampley, who was recovering from heart surgery a week earlier, was experiencing difficulties from the surgery at the Veteran's Hospital in Durham on Tuesday. He died while being rushed to surgery. His sudden passing surprised many in Kinston. "This is a shock to me," said master shipbuilder Alton Stapleford, the architect of the CSS Neuse II, which Sampley helped bring to fruition. "It's really hard to comprehend right now." Sampley served several tours of duty in Vietnam in the...

On March 25, 1969, the Marines of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, moved through a thick jungle in enemy territory less than a klick from the Laotian border. Their mission was to locate, engage and destroy any enemy position near the company's area of operation. But not long into the patrol, the Leathernecks were soon pinned down by intense enemy fire from a North Vietnamese army position. At the direction of the company commander, the artillery officer called in air support and soon Marine jets dropped napalm and high explosives on the enemy. "We could feel the heat from...

FEDERAL COURT — War hero, activist, former high-ranking Pentagon official – Wade Sanders has led a life full of peril and achievement, of great highs and deep lows. Just a few years ago, Sanders stood onstage at the Democratic National Convention as his fellow veteran, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., accepted his party's presidential nomination. That was a high point. Tomorrow afternoon in federal court in San Diego likely will be a low point for him. Sanders, 69, is scheduled to be sentenced after pleading guilty in December to possession of child pornography. He could face as much as 10 years...

In 1971, the U.S. Air Force offered a checkout in the McDonnell F-4 to Republic F-105 drivers who had completed a 100-mission combat tour and were willing to volunteer for a second tour. I dearly loved the Thud, but with its numbers dwindling due to combat losses, its future was bleak.I checked out in the F-4 at Homestead Air Force Base in Florida and in June arrived at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand. The usual mission of the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron was two-ship bombing flights under forward air control in Laos and an occasional reconnaissance escort...

Kerry draws on '71 Vietnam testimony in asking current vets to speak @ 11:43 am by Michael O'Brien Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-Mass.) is drawing on his own background as a Vietnam War protester in inviting veterans of the war in Afghanistan to testify in front of the committee this week. "One of the lessons that I learned a long time ago and lived out here was that it's important to listen to the troops, it's important to listen to the folks who are implementing these policies and putting their lives at risk," Kerry told National Public...

WASHINGTON (AFRNS) -- One-hundred twenty-three American heroes from the Vietnam War era will be honored posthumously this month during the annual In Memory Day ceremony, according to Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. In Memory Day was created to pay tribute to those who died prematurely from noncombat injuries and emotional suffering caused directly by the Vietnam War, but who are not eligible to have their names inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. A list of the honorees and their hometowns is available at www.vvmf.org/index.cfm?SectionID=774. The 11th annual In Memory Day ceremony begins at...

HANOI (AFP) — US Senator John McCain leaned over a miniature mock-up on of the Vietnamese prison where he was held for years as a wartime prisoner. "I'm trying to figure it out," he said, studying the scale model on a return visit to the prison site that is now a museum.

HANOI, Vietnam -- Sen. John McCain paid a quiet visit to the "Hanoi Hilton" prison where he was held for more than five years during the Vietnam War on Wednesday, making a few deadpan remarks as he made his way through dark corridors and past musty cells. McCain allowed reporters to follow him while he escorted Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina through the prison. -snip-

US Senator John McCain will stop over in Hanoion April 6 during his week-long Asian tour. He is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Institute for International Relations and host a press briefing. He will also visit Hoa Lo (Hanoi Hilton) Prison where he was imprisoned during the Vietnam War.

To all us Vietnam Vets we all new the frustration of a different time and place.

SOMEBODY at the Sundance Channel must have something against Jane Fonda. Before Saturday's preview of "33 Variations," her first Broadway performance in 46 years, Vietnam War vets picketed the Eugene O'Neill Theatre, still riled up about her 1972 visit to North Vietnam, where she straddled an anti-aircraft gun and gave her support to the enemy. *snip* "FTA" stands for "[Bleep] the Army."

The following is an after action reprt of the righteous freeping of Communist Traitor (rhymeswithHillary) JANE FONDA. Kudos to Gathering OF Eagles New York and VVA for participating, and also the various Freepers in attendance.

NEW YORK — It's been decades, but Jane Fonda still can't shake her "Hanoi Jane" image from the Vietnam War. About a dozen Vietnam veterans and other protesters on Saturday picketed the theater where the 71-year-old actress is starring in the Broadway play "33 Variations," telling passers-by that she had once visited their communist enemy in Hanoi.

BISMARCK, N.D., Jan. 28, 2009 – A Vietnam War veteran who overcame great odds to become a successful National Football League player shared his message of strength, attitude and optimism during the North Dakota National Guard's 2009 Safety Conference here Jan. 24. Vietnam veteran and former Pittsburgh Steeler Rocky Bleier gives Army Capt. Doug Larsen an opportunity to try on Bleier's four Super Bowl rings at the North Dakota National Guard's 2009 Safety Conference in Bismarck, N.D., Jan. 24, 2009. Bleier was the keynote speaker for the conference. U.S. Army photo by Bill Prokopyk  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image...

WALKERSVILLE -- At about 1:30 a.m. Nov. 5, as the results of the presidential election became fairly definitive, Roger Robinette decided to express symbolically how discouraged he was. Robinette, a Walkersville resident and disabled Vietnam veteran, hoisted the American flag and a black prisoner of war flag in his front yard upside down -- a signal of distress. He said he was discouraged that President-elect Barack Obama refused to release a copy of his official birth certificate, and that he had never served in the military. (Persistent rumors that he isn't an American citizen have dogged Obama, who posted his...