9/22/04
Dear Veterans and friends of Veterans,
We have to nip this one in the bud and right now.
Yesterday, PFC Foster Barton (19 YO), a soldier home on medical leave from Iraq due to a serious knee wound that required 2 surgeries, was assaulted for wearing a pro-military T-shirt at a concert. He was kicked and beaten unconscious. According to the police report, six witnesses stated the person who beat him up was screaming profanities and making crude remarks about US Soldiers.
Those of us who are Nam Vets will recall the spitting and assault attacks we endured, after John Kerry and VVAW diminished our service by filing false accusations before Congress and with the press.
Once again, John Kerry has been attacking the United States Military. He has publicly stated that service in the National Guard is shirking. He has told our servicemen and women, indeed the whole country, that we are fighting the wrong war, in the wrong place, at the wrong time. He has accused our military leaders of condoning atrocities. Sound familiar?
John Kerry is doing the same old thing, so we should expect the same old results.
PFC Barton’s unit is still in Iraq and he expects to be sent back. We must not allow this Purple Heart Veteran to carry the sole message of his attack back to the troops. Nor can we allow the attack to be his life-long memory of his nation’s gratitude for his service.
I have spoken with Jeb Phillips, the Columbus Ohio reporter, who wrote this up. Jeb has agreed to accept and forward letters and packages to PFC Foster Barton. My letter and gift will be in today’s mail.
PFC Foster Barton C/O
Jeb Phillips
Columbus Dispatch
34 S. 3rd St
Columbus Ohio 43215
I invite all of you to join me in expressing our gratitude to this young American hero. Let’s tell him and his buddies what America really thinks about their service.
Request widest possible distribution of this message.
Mike Linnane
US Army Special Forces
Retired |
