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"IMHO, the other thing that the Swift Boat Vets did was finally get the rest of us out of that silent running mode."

You are absolutely correct and that might have been the single most important outcome from the 04 elections, Kerry, the VVAW, etc.

"WE," kept quiet, kept to ourselves, endured the ridicule, declined to discuss our experiences with anyone (with the exception of fellow vets who understood and even then, not much); tried to put the past behind us; refused to even admit we were Vietnam Vets as that was detrimental to our well being, and just got on with our lives.

But of course, we NEVER forgot.

Kerry, making Nam the focus of his campaign and considering his conduct after he got back and the interest it generated, FINALLY, gave some of us the impetus and werewithal to "come out of the closet" (swinging, if you will) and were able to release years of pent up frustrations and this gave us a forum to try and regain our reputations and respect and lose the shame we had lived with for so long, by exposing Kerry and all of the others for the phony liars that they were.

Sadly, we were only partially successful. With the MSM and others (not the least of which was McCain) shilling, defending, attacking the SB Vets and covering up for The Snake at every turn, we were not able to win a clear-cut victory, and that is why I (and others) are thankful that Kerry is apparently, going to give us another bite of the appple?

Oh how I hope so and perhaps, this time, we can finally expose the whole truth about Kerry, the VVAW, etc.