In response to this alleged listing of what's in Kerry's "Official Records" a friend that I've known for 30 years posted the following message to me. By agreement with him I can't discuss his rank or the particulars of his service, other than what you can deduce from the words themselves:
The only record I actually see referenced [regarding Kerry's defense of his Vietnam service] is his medical record, which I question highly. Medical records are extremely hard to get released, even if you want them to be.The data presented [concerning specific wounds] would be mentioned on the award citation and/or the "letter" that accompanies it. Those items are not "official," by the way. To be official, it has to be actually in his service record....... and it IS a matter of record that Kerry has refused to sign the release.
Again, don't take what I've said as a condemnation of Kerry's service. I'm in no position to do so. I AM in a position to strongly condemn him for his post-war activities that left a wound in the backs of his comrades. Accusing your comrades of common "mass atrocities" is the lowest of the low. Especially when it is a lie....... and it was a lie according to every authoritative source. Winter Soldier was an absolute and outright lie! The people quoted didn't even exist, much less were they "interviewed" by Kerry. The results of his "investigation" were used to vilify every person that ever served in Viet Nam........ YEAH, I hold him responsible for that..... yes I do!Please read this in the spirit it is intended: I said I wouldn't say anything more about the color and medal count, but forgive me for just a moment and let me tell a funny story. Hopefully, you'll get the humor and it does have a point. As I said, I was "decorated." Actually, one of the favorite things my guys would do to a newbie when they reported was to introduce me to the new guy and point to my chest. Yeah..... there was some hardware there and it would be false modesty to say there wasn't. When they would do that, one of them would say, "look at the bottom of the medals and you'll see a sign that says "see other side"........ Everyone would laugh, I would give my "jokers" a very stern look and all would be well. Actually, I told them repeatedly to stop that, but they never would, even after I had assigned them "extra duty" for their efforts at humor. Actually, it was funny......... but I hated being pointed out that way. My GUYS are the ones that earned those, even though I was the recipient. I knew it and I hope they do/did, too.
The point of the above is this: medal count or no, honorable service is just that. Service you can be proud of is what counts. I saved a few lives and received medals for that......... I was just doing my job. For Pete's sake, I was doing what anyone under those circumstances would do. So what if it was in combat? Lots of men and women save lots of lives in combat and otherwise..... some get medals and some don't (most don't, I think). Why? Don't ask me. Why should I get a medal for doing what I said that I would do? To me, the real "award" was being promoted. I was "expected" to be "superior" in my demeanor and in the way I did my job. My "job" WAS to be superior (as in, a good example for others to follow)...... that was my JOB! Yes, it is in the job description, even. SO what makes "my" superior better than your superior? So why am I getting decorated for that? Because I do what I promised I would do?
That is the reason that most decorated vets would rather not discuss it. They were doing what they promised they would do...... nothing more and nothing less. The promise I made was a big one! I kept it the best I could. Not perfectly, mind you, but the best I could. I faltered, just like everyone else and I succeeded, just like most everyone else. So why should I make a big deal about that?
Moreover, and if you have gotten this far without being bored to tears, I sure don't throw that part of my career in people's faces....... nobody's face. I was loathe to bring it up in the context of this conversation, quite frankly. I don't want anyone to think that I'm any more special that those folks over in Iraq......... they are the special ones..... I'm a has-been, at the very best. I'm one that got to retirement.
But, and this is huge, I have not, nor will I ever, stab my comrades in the back! Never! I will never embarrass my country or its citizens by my post-service conduct! Never! I will not denigrate the service of another, even if I despise the politics of that person! Never! They gave their due and they deserve my respect for giving what was asked of them (often times, much more than what was expected). But, please forgive me if I find the post-service commentary of Kerry to be ultimately offensive. I won't say whether his service was good or not..... I assume good because I am not in a position to say or think otherwise. Not only that, I would prefer to think that everyone that says they will serve their country actually will do so faithfully and without exception.
There is one caveat, as I've mentioned before. I was made very aware when I was a young military person, that I am and always will be in the military 24/7. My conduct will always and forever be a reflection of my service, past, present and future. To confirm this, think about the last time a Vietnam vet committed a crime. What is the very first thing that the "news media" say....... "Mr. Jackboot, a Vietnam vet, is accused of ..... blah blah blah". So what in the heck has that got to do with anything? Why was it considered important to bring that person's service to the fore? It doesn't matter......... you were, are and always will be a service member and your conduct will be scrutinized as such forever more.
This is the thing that I think Mr. Kerry forgot. I can and do bang him for that! The color and number of medals is meaningless, especially if, at the first opportunity, you use them to political advantage by LYING about your comrades....... you remember, Mr. Kerry, the ones that REALLY earned those precious pieces of metal. YOU, my dear senator, were an officer..... the MEN were the ones that REALLY bled and you've forgotten that completely!
And after obtaining permission to post the above words my friend had a few more things to say, along the same lines. Take them for what they're worth:
I'd rather have Clinton back as commander-in-chief than a guy who would stab his own comrades in the back. Remember, he did that AFTER he saved those lives, not before. He turned "south" after his participation in that war, not before. I won't use the "T..." word, but I don't know what else to call it. It's just a bit more than a simple "bad decision" in my book. He traded his MEN for a political career...... and as an officer, ALL of those MEN were his men! Every last one of them, no matter the branch of service. If an airman calls me "sir," then he is mine, no less than those that report to me directly. Even an ensign knows that! Kerry apparently forgot that!Posted by Demosophist at August 25, 2004 05:07 PM | TrackBack