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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Elmer Flugum who wrote (571213)	5/3/2004 12:44:35 PM
From: jim-thompson	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769670

Vietnam Vet Writes Open Letter To John Kerry Silver Star...Who Wrote The Citation? Senator John Kerry, Many men have served in the armed services of this country. I think that anyone who slanders their sacrifices should be held accountable for their actions. I don't understand why your political career should be placed above those that served us so well. John Kerry's Silver Star exploit looks to me something from out of the John Wayne movies starring John Wayne, Audie Murphy and Rambo. Doing something showy. As far as pulling the Special forces troop out of the water; that seems like he was just doing his job. you can argue both ways on beaching the boat. Whether the boat commander should have done that is arguable, PBR Rules of Engagement say that, No one should get off the boat for any reason. the story is just too sparse to truly judge. That doesn't sound like Silver Star action. Army procedures vice Navy procedures for awards. procedures vary from unit to unit, month to month, commander to commander, much less service to service. There was a "3 Hearts and you can go home" policy -- but I couldn't tell you when it was instituted or if all services subscribed to it. I also know that it generally only applied to enlisted. no officer worth would use that as an excuse to go home. But, in the end, we've found out what Kerry thought of that. Kerry spent about 3 or 4 months in Nam about as much time as Gore. Why is it that Democrats who did such short tour of duties, think they are experts on Nam? Why is it after only spending a few months in Nam, does Kerry think so many Americans committed atrocities? Even Doughnut Dollies did longer Nam tours. Every description I have read of Kerry's action resulting in the Silver Star leave me wondering, Where is the rest of it? I've have not read his citation, and I've not heard a description of his actions from someone who is both supportive of Kerry and a combat vet. So, my position is: he has the Silver Star - and I hope that there was more to it than we're hearing. I have no information at all on how the award was generated. I especially like to see whose signature is recorded on the citation. Senior officers and other high-ranking politicians have been known to help each other's reputations by recommending each other for awards such as the Navy Cross, Silver Star and other recognition's. What is most important is what he did after he got home and since? His Silver Star and his Purple Hearts Throwing his medals and the other radical protest was insulting to any soldier who earned similar decorations. It went far beyond just being opposed to the war. His voting record in the Senate have been consistently antimilitary. He voted against all key weapons in the current war effort. Our media should be demanding that Senator Kerry open his service records in the same way they demanded that of President Bush regarding his NAG. service. Stanley J. Cwiklinski III Whitesville,N.Y. Vietnam, 199th LIB. 4th Bn. 12th Inf. 1967-68