Now is the time for all veterans to speak out !

As the former wife of a Vietnam Combat Veteran who volunteered for service and spent 3x the time John Kerry served in Vietnam, and who sustained life-threatening injuries as a direct result of his service in that war; and,

as the daughter-in-law of a WWII decorated veteran and former POW; and,

as the niece of a retired AF Colonel who served in three wars;

as the niece of a retired Navy veteran awarded the highest Marine Corp Metal for service in WWII; and,

As a woman who served as National Librarian of the American Ex-POW Organization; and,

Who served as National Researcher for International Veterans Association, who personally researched and wrote testimony presented for S364, and incorporated in S330 hearings (passed) providing, for the first time in history, for Judicial Review of Veterans’ Claims, and

As a Volunteer at the Vietnam Veterans Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and advisor at the Dade County Veterans’ Center,

I find John Kerry’s treatment of his “tiny” tour of duty in Vietnam, his exploitation of the man whose “life he saved” (WHOSE DUTY AND JOB IT WAS FOR HIM TO SAVE), HIS TESTIMONY AFTER THE WAR CONCERNING ATROCITIES WITHOUT SPECIFICITY - and his most recent statement (at the Convention I believe) that “he would close the National Guard method of war avoidance”, to be offensive, misleading, mischaracterize, inappropriate and uncharacteristic of any man who should become Commander-in-Chief.

I find this man to be ego-maniacal and opportunistic at the very least. I further find his words to be a grave offense to all Vietnam Veterans’, and all veterans, their wives and children and especially former Guardsman who went active and willingly fought and sometimes died in Vietnam.

Amist the many memories I have I will never forget and can close my eyes even now and still clearly see the faces of the young men home days after being in combat, some sleeping outside the Vietnam Veterans’ Center with combat knife still in their boots, robbed of their innocence by a cowardly Congress, so fearful were they - and I WELL remember hearing and personally seeing in their records of how many LIVES THEY SAVED WITHOUT EVER WANTING OR TAKING ANY CREDIT.

I hope someone will stand up for the truth and remember these REAL veterans. I further hope you will stand up and take notice of just how many NATIONAL GUARDSMEN LOST THEIR LIVES IN VIETNAM (as well as other wars). Why am I not hearing this?

Please speak out and please do not let this man’s remarks go unchallenged!

Sincerely,
Colette T. Terracino

Posted by: lauren at August 5, 2004 03:45 PM

This is a disgrace for America! I am a Republican who is tired of all this horse-shit slinging. The ultimate question lies in who is more capable. In 4 years Bush has not done one thing constructive for America. When the two houses are Republican controlled, why can’t they get anything done.

The economy is exactly like it was under Bush-1. All of my customers are barely hanging on. None are doing well, just getting by. This includes all size companies in the NY metro area!

I will say at least Kerry did serve on active duty. As people get older facts and truths change in their mind,especially when it is hear say evidence with the swiftvets. Bush can’t
find his paystubs or proof he actually served. What if Bush got paid but never showed up? Wouldn’t that be fraud for cashing reservists pay checks?

Posted by: Ganders at August 10, 2004 01:11 PM

I have to agree with the ganders post.
I’m a vet and i work with vets at a va hospital.
The swiftvets are funded by the GOP for GOP gain.
It is now public knowledge that Bush did not show for 4 drills in a row. I served in the national guard and i would have been discharged for that type of service. It is there right to comment on how they feel but most of them have no connection to kerry.Therefore there opinions are based on there personal experiences which do not reflect kerry’s service. I understand the feeling of being betrayed by kerry’s protest of the vietnam war. But discrediting someone baised on nothing is irresponsilbe and contrary to the values all veterans hold dear.

Posted by: Scott W. at August 14, 2004 12:47 PM