Posted on 08/07/2004 1:34:30 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The last time the Vietnam War loomed so large in a presidential election, it was 1972 and American soldiers were still fighting an elusive enemy in Southeast Asia.
But the war has taken center stage again as both parties seek the support of Vietnam veterans — turning to them as the emerging elder statesmen among American war veterans.
At a conference this past week, on the 40th anniversary of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, the Vietnam Veterans of America urged its members to make their voices heard.
"This election is probably more important than any election for president since the Vietnam era," Navy veteran Ed Vick, recently retired chairman of advertising giant Young and Rubicam, told the roughly 550 veterans at the convention Wednesday. "We must vote."
For Vietnam veterans — many of whom once felt disconnected from mainstream politics and ostracized by other veteran groups — it's surprising to be an important part of the 2004 presidential election.
"I had no idea I would be in the position I am now," said David Chung, a VVA member who said he returned from the war homeless. "A lot of people thought or hoped Vietnam would go away, but 30 years later it is at the center of things."
Many veterans see parallels between the current war in Iraq (news - web sites) and the one they fought in. The enemy uses guerrilla tactics, casualties are mounting and public opinion is wavering.
Bill Chapman, a VVA member from Cocoa, Fla., remembers joining the Veterans of Foreign Wars when he returned from Vietnam and being told he didn't fight in a real war.
"Back then, VFW, the American Legion really didn't want anything to do with us," said Tom Meinhardt of Michigan. "Now they are begging us to join their outfits."
Democratic candidate John Kerry (news - web sites), a founding member of the VVA, is making his Vietnam experience a key part of his campaign, partly to highlight that President Bush (news - web sites) avoided serving in Vietnam. In response, conservative groups are bringing out veterans to question Kerry's service.
That conflict sometimes evokes memories of the divisiveness that gripped the country during and after the Vietnam War, veterans said.
Many VVA members at the convention were hesitant to talk about the current political scene for fear of seeming to publicly endorse one candidate over another. Along with the group's connection to Kerry, its members include officials of the Bush administration such as Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, who also addressed delegates Wednesday.
Others, like Chung, hold a strong opinion that Kerry abandoned his comrades by returning home and opposing the war.
The VVA said it never endorses a candidate.
Putting their war in the middle of an election battle threatens to fracture the group.
"It has caused some inner strife in the chapters," Chapman said. "You have die-hard Republicans and you have Democrats, too, and it's tearing some chapters apart like never before. After the election, we need to remember we will still be brothers."
"Ours was one of the most controversial wars in history," Chapman said. "I'm still not over it, and it's more than 30 years ago."
The VVA is pressing the issue of Veterans Administration health care, hoping the political focus on their war and their members will translate into more money for what they say is an underfunded hospital system that denies benefits to 200,000 veterans because it runs out of money annually. It also wants to make sure the current crop of soldiers gets better government support.
"I'm not taking either side (of the presidential debate), I'm taking the side of us," Vick said. "When we say to our government, 'Do you care?' The answer should be, 'Yes, yes we care.'"
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On the Net:
Vietnam Veterans of America: http://www.vva.org
Retired Adm. Roy Hoffmann, head of the Swift Boat group, is seen in an anti-John Kerry (news - web sites) ad released Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004. Sen. Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record), R-Ariz., a former prisoner of war in Vietnam, called an ad criticizing John Kerry's military service 'dishonest and dishonorable' and urged the White House on Thursday to condemn it as well. (AP Photo/Swiftvets)
Question -
As part of his anti-war activities after serving in such a distingushed fashion in 'Nam, is it true Kerry went to Paris during the peace negotiations and met with leaders of one or both sides involved,, and if so, does anyone have a shot of him with Ho or his underlings?
This would have occurred all during a time when he was still under contract to the US government as a reservist , with active or inactive status.
Just curious if someone could validate or repudiate these items.
Thanks
Democratic presidential nominee Senator John Kerry (news - web sites) (R) and his running mate Senator John Edwards (news - web sites) greet residents of Eastern Colorado as his campaign train passed through Caddoa, Colorado, August 7, 2004. Kerry and Edwards were making campaign stops in Colorado on the third day of the train portion of the 'Believe in America' tour which is taking them to key midwestern and western states with less than 100 days until the presidential election. REUTERS/Mike Segar US ELECTION
This article is a bit misleading. Vets are not split 50/50
Many veterans see parallels between the current war in Iraq (news - web sites) and the one they fought in. The enemy uses guerrilla tactics, casualties are mounting and public opinion is wavering.
Iraq is NOT Vietnam.. geesh!!!
And Kerry was testifying that they were all guilty of atrocities and war crimes.
In response, conservative groups are bringing out veterans to question Kerry's service.
And just which "conservative groups" would that be? Once again the AP slants the story to make it seem as though poor John is a victim of conservatives, rather than printing the truth, that these vets are doing this on their own because they know the TRUTH about Kerry's "service"
All Kerry has to do is release all of his records to refute the charges that these vets have made.
I was able to view this ad yesterday online. WOW - hits home with the emotions...
It seems that history is repeating itself. Our nation collectively spit on our Vietnam Vets then and today the MSM and the Democrat machine are doing all in their power to get the nation to do it once again......It makes me sick!!
Yep, the War o
Congressman Billybob
Latest column, "Says the Wuss: Ma, He's Touching Me"
If you haven't already joined the anti-CFR effort, please click here.n Terror only has to go on for 55 years to match the casualty rate from Vietnam. Reporters may be too stupid to note the difference, but most veterans are smarter than that.
Then Mr Vicks should learn for himself that there was $1.3 BILLION in Veteran healthcare in that $87 Billion hanoi john voted for, before he voted against it. That same $87 Billion that would have provided kevlar vest, ammo, hummer sheilding etc.
Kerry admitted that he did do this. Go to the link and scroll down to his statement which is bolded.
"http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1091943/posts"
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Yep, the War on Terror will only have to go on for 55 more years so its casualty rate will match the Vietnam War. Reporters may be too dumb or too biased to notice the difference. Veterans are not so dumb or biased.
Kerry Met With Viet Cong And North Vietnamese In Paris In 1971 Congressional Record
I don't know that this qualifies as an act of sedition or treason ,, but wasn't he still a member of the military (albeit inactive) and subject to his officer's commission oath?
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