Well, this wound has been festering for 35 years - it's time for this to end. If bringing down Kerry will help heal this nation with regards to Viet Nam, then I am 1000% behind it...
It's personal for me - My father served in Viet Nam, with the 1/5 1st cavalry Division (Airmobile) 68-69. He was never the same, and afterwards he wasn't the same man my mother married.
Do you know what your dad thinks of Kerry? If you talk to him, would you mind asking? I'm so curious.
The festering wound was laid open raw by the likes of Jane Fonda, magget infested hippies, the hate for the military that spewed forth from the press of that time, and opputurnists seeking personal gain such as Kerry.
The shame of it was misplaced from the vileness of the above mentioned to the noble service of our troops.
I remember being pelted by tomatoes and eggs upon arriving home at SEA-TAC in 69.
"It's personal for me - My father served in Viet Nam, with the 1/5 1st cavalry Division (Airmobile) 68-69. He was never the same, and afterwards he wasn't the same man my mother married."
Your father, my brother in law, several friends and Nam Vets that I barely know were assaulted, spit on and called terrible names on their return from Nam.
At LAX and SFO these creeps would get on the moving sidewalks in the airport and spit on returning GIs going the opposite direction. Throw stuff at them and yell "Baby Killers!"
We have no idea how many of these young men were scarred for their lives due to this.
Kerry, Fonda and the other anti war criminals were responsible for these vile acts.
There's a good reason he "isn't the same". I don't know if you realize what you dad went through. He probably doesn't talk about it.
Anyway, I have a friend ('slightly' older) who was in the 1st Division (AirMobile) and 'in country' from 1965 to part of '67 (two tours). He was a 'Lurp' (LRRP) and back then the 1st Division did many 'Ranger' type missions as at the time, the 75th Ranger Battalion wasn't yet 'officially' formed.
Years later my friend was still slightly 'messed up', and occasionally had flashbacks in public. He'd here sudden loud noise - like a drink tray falling in a restaurant, yell "INCOMING" and dive under the table. He wasn't playing.
There's a good website that describes all of the 1st Division's missions / operations in Vietnam, from '65 on. Check out what they did in 68-69 when your dad was there - you'll buy him a nice present.
I'm so sorry, Chad. Time to end this war and put a stop to those who revive it for political reasons.