Conduct Unbecoming - Kerry doesn't deserve Vietnam vets' support

Opinion Journal ^ | Monday, January 26, 2004 | STEPHEN SHERMAN

[yonif]

A turning point may have been reached in the Iowa caucuses when Special Forces Lt. James Rassmann came forward to thank John Kerry for saving his life in Vietnam. Although Mr. Rassmann, like most of my veteran friends, is a Republican, he said that he'd vote for Mr. Kerry. I don't know if the incident influenced the caucus results. But I took special interest in the story because Jim served in my unit.

[A Navy Vet]

A person can be "brave" and "gallant", but that doesn't mean he will be wise.

[tcuoohjohn]

And so...How many silver stars and bronze stars does former Lieutenant Sherman have?

[GLSchnJR]

I am a retired Ranger and proud of it.I think actions by Mr. Kerry after his service really leave question marks about what really happened and how he recieved those medals.My father told me how the man that saved his life and recieved a Purple Heart was also the same man who almost got him killed.

[Chi-townChief]

Not to mention that Kerry also insults WWII vets with his book cover mocking the flag-raising on Mt. Suribachi.

[cwb]

"And so...How many silver stars and bronze stars does former Lieutenant Sherman have?"

Why is that even relevant? What..because he may or may not have a Silver Star he can't voice his opnion on Kerry's dispicable behavior after he left Vietnam? Please...

[blackie]

Kerry is a smarmy cretin!

[Dolphy]

After his awards were seen framed on his office wall, he claimed to have thrown away someone else's medals--so now he can reclaim his gallantry in Vietnam.

As a soldier Kerry was a brave man. As a political activist and politician Kerry is a spineless, opportunist. This medals story, just like his votes on Iraq, show Kerry wants a record that allows him to play it both ways as the times require. His inability to make the tough stands, without hedging, seems cowardly to me.

[elli1]

And so...How many silver stars and bronze stars does former Lieutenant Sherman have?

And what does that have to do w/ John Kerry? Are you contending that only those who have been awarded medals are qualified to critique Kerry's behavior after he left the service & during his tenure in public office?

[PhiKapMom]

You sure missed the point of this article. It doesn't make one bit of difference if he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor -- what John Kerry has done since his days in active duty, are 100 times more important than what he did in comabt and was paid/ordered to do BTW.

Don't give me that someone served in Vietnam and was awarded medals and now we have to vote for them crap. I supported the military then and have my entire adult life but I don't vote for someone who served just because they served when I think their politics since then are about as liberal as you can get.

Not to mention Kerry was out demonstrating while we had POW's in Hanoi along with Hanoi Jane and Ramsey Clark -- that discredits in my eyes anything he may have done in the military. He gave comfort and aid to the enemy who figured if they waited long enough Kerry and his band of malcontents would make sure the United States backed down. The Viet Cong were right. Now Kerry wants to use his Vietnam Service as a badge? Give me a break!

Whether this author has any medals or not is not what the story is about. What part of that do you not understand?

[elbucko]

A person can be "brave" and "gallant", but that doesn't mean he will be wise.

True. There is also a history of "heroes" becoming opportunist and exploiting the celebrity of their famous acts. Kerry is one of these.

[onedoug]

Kerry was as much for America's abandoning its principles then as he is now.

[Dead Dog]

Or worse, They had to rename one of the Rangers in the movie BHD, because the actual man was convicted of child rape. The fictional character was renamed "Grimes".

[cwb]

There's already people questioning his Silver Star since it appears he may have got that by killing a wounded and retreating soldier. While I don't know how one qualifies for these awards...nor do "I" question his service, I think that Kerry has made a mistake by making his Vietnam service so instrumental in his campaign. By doing so, he has "opened the door" for others to question his entire service...both during and after the war. I also think this is one of the reasons why he (and the media) is playing up this hero status: They are attempting to preempt what they know will be coming.

[LibFreeUSA]

My appreciation to all American military and civilians who have put themselves in harms way in carrying out our country's actions to defend freedom throughout the world, including Mr. Kerry's.

However, just because individuals may have performed and served gallantly within these responsibilties at one time, does not give them a 'blank check' to take actions or positions thereafter which are contrary (or which may cause harm) to the interests of this country and its citizens, consequently they should also not be free from truthful attack accordingly.

Case in point:

- Benedict Arnold

[sirshackleton]

It's funny, because the more I read about Kerry, the more duplicitous I see he really is....he protested the Vietnam War and talked of ending war forever, yet he voted to go into Iraq? He threw "his" medals over the White House fence, and they magically reappear on his wall? He's even willing fudge the details on all his anti-war buddies.

[sauropod]

Now the whole truth comes out.

[cyborg]

Like sh*t rising to the top with these democrats

[cynicom]

Two things come to mind...Was Rassman the vet invited by Kerry to appear so Kerry might be "surprised" by his appearance? Even the media printed that.

Secondly..Not all medals are equal..LBJ was "awarded" a Silver Star, that demeans from that medal. Kerry needed three Purple Hearts for a quick out ride home, he got them and a quick ride home, combined with an early out. Meanwhile the grunts were still in the jungle mud with nothing.

[Kleon]

It appears that Kerry is saying anything he wants to about his service, because he knows the Republicans will never go after his military credentials. No matter what the facts are, the American people will look at his medals and think any attack is in bad taste.

What it comes down to is this: voters are going to much more concerned with Kerry's voting record than his military service. I don't even think the average voter will see his conduct after the war as a negative thing; the majority of Americans still believe we should have stayed out of Vietnam, but still respect those who fought.