Here's another lorne: One Veteran Concerned About His Appearance in "Stolen Honor"
The Associated Press
October 18, 2004
PHILADELPHIA -- A Vietnam veteran shown in a documentary describing Sen. John Kerry's anti-war activities three decades ago filed a lawsuit against the movie's producer today, saying the film insinuates he's a fraud and a liar.
Kenneth J. Campbell, now a professor at the University of Delaware, said in the suit that "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal" combines footage of him appearing at a 1971 war protest with narration that claims that many of the supposed veterans who took part in the event were later "discovered as frauds" who "never set foot on the battlefield, or left the comfort of the States, or even served in uniform."
The suit said viewers would be left with the perception that Campbell had lied about his military service.
"It paints me as having been a fabricator, a fraud and a liar," Campbell said.
Campbell attached copies of his military records to the lawsuit, showing he received a Purple Heart for his service in Vietnam.
Carlton Sherwood, the film's producer, called the lawsuit "baseless."
"We will not be deterred or silenced by such an unfounded, groundless legal ploy done as a last-ditch effort to prevent Americans from hearing the story of America's Vietnam POWs and John Kerry's role in their prolonged captivity," Sherwood said in a statement distributed by a firm representing his company.
The segment involving Campbell shows him speaking with another Marine at a 1971 gathering in Detroit, during which Kerry and other servicemen shared stories about horrific acts they had committed or witnessed during the war.
Campbell asks whether the Marine recalls a particular incident; the other man offers to provide more detail. Neither man is identified. Sherwood introduces the conversation by saying, "Many of the horror stories seem made up on the spot," but does not elaborate as to why he believes that to be the case.
The film explores Kerry's 1971 testimony before the Senate and links him to anti-war activist and actress Jane Fonda. American prisoners of war held in Vietnam claim in the film that his testimony demeaned them and led to prisoners being held longer.
Sinclair has contended that the program is news and has invited Kerry to appear on a post-broadcast program. Kerry has declined. |
