Kerry Discussion: Thoughts of a Vietnam POW

Useful Fools Blog ^ | 28 Jan 04 | Joe Crecca

[tornadochaser]

The following is circulating on the net. I have personally corresponded with the author to verify his and its authenticity. Because it has not been picked up by any media outlet yet, the link is to the blog entry.

Kerry Discussion: Thoughts of a Vietnam POW

by Joe Crecca

28 Jan 04

The rigors and hardships of being a POW aside, I remember the so-called, "Peace Movement," and "Peace Marches and Rallies" that were taking place back home in the USA Our captors were more than willing, within their means, to provide us with any and all anti-US and anti-Vietnam War propaganda. Without a choice in the matter, we listened to the "Voice of Vietnam" broadcasts by, "Hanoi Hannah" and were shown newspaper and magazine photos and articles about those opposing the war back in the States. One of the peace marchers’ standard slogans was to, "Bring our boys home now and, alive." The warped thinking of such people was that by demonstrating against US involvement in Vietnam, they'd be shortening the war and reducing the number of American casualties. These demonstrators would also try to make one believe that their efforts would bring POWs like me home sooner. They were utterly wrong on both counts not to mention the detrimental effect their actions had on the morale of our troops and our POWs.

John F. Kerry was not just one of these demonstrators. He was leading them.

Therefore, these so-called demonstrations for peace had the exact opposite effect of what they were purporting to accomplish. Instead of shortening the war the "So-called Peace Movement" served only to protract the conflict resulting in a vastly greater number of Americans killed and wounded, greater economic burdens and longer periods of incarceration for Americans held captive in Vietnam. The war would have been over much sooner and with a much more favorable result if those in the "So-called Peace Movement" would have instead rallied behind the Commander-in-Chief to accomplish our mission and then, withdraw.

It is inescapable to think of the so-called peace movement and the antiwar demonstrators without also thinking how many fewer names there would now be engraved into the black granite of the Vietnam Wall if these same people had supported our efforts instead of trying to derail them. After all, fighting against a political regime that up to that time had murdered over a hundred million people couldn't have been all bad. But, John F. Kerry thought and acted differently. How many more names on the wall can he take credit for?

After the war ended, some of the war protesters hung on to their antiwar postures for a while. Some of them realized the errors of their ways almost immediately while for others it took twenty to twenty-five years. >p> But some, like John F. Kerry have not realized there was anything wrong with what he did. Instead, he hopes we will see him as a courageous Vietnam veteran. I do not. He hopes we will admire his bravery. I do not. I remember him more for his misdeeds upon his return from Vietnam.

However, in the present political arena, he evidently has succeeded in gaining the support of some well-meaning but misled Americans. Given his past record, it is just astonishing that he has garnered any support from our nation's veterans.

I hope all will reconsider their support for Senator Kerry in light of his actions which were so detrimental to our Vietnam combat soldiers, sailors and airmen many of whom are not here today to tell you themselves.

Thank you for considering my views. Please share what I have written with your fellow vets....

Joe Crecca
Vietnam POW
22NOV66-18FEB73

[StarCMC]

Kerry flushed his honor when he trounced his medals. IT angers me to think that what so many men gave up so much to earn he would just denegrate without a thought. God bless the TRUE and often forgotten heroes of Vietnam -- the ones with AND WITHOUT medals.

[kellynla]

I agree with Crecca. Semper Fi, Kelly

[sauropod]

"Bring our boys home now and, alive."

Sounds just like the Code Pinko ladies and the CANSWER crowd.

[LiteKeeper]

INTREP - VNVAJH

[lainde]

bttt

[lilylangtree]

Thanks for the pic. I'm circulating it to everyone in my address book.

[joesnuffy]

There is a BIG difference between being 'anti war' and being 'anti veteran'

The left, Hollywood, academia and Kerry not only cross that line ...over and over again....but have run many joint psy ops operations with America's enemies... Kerry has never admited his mistakes confessed his behavior and or values as being wrong ...or repented of his many anti Veteran deeds...

He is not an American anymore imo....and shouldnt be allowed to have access to sensitive info let alone serve in govt in any capacity where he isnt watched 24/7

If political machines had sediment bowls...Kerry is what they would call the stuff collected in them
imo

[truth_seeker]

Today's media and left would have us believe Kerry took the "correct" course with Vietnam.

When that war was the central issue of politics, Nixon creamed McGovern.

IOW Kerry reflected a minority view. Actually he is usually on both sides of issues.

Go fight the war; come back and criticize the war.

[dd5339]

Vic, you might copy this to Rick.

Semper Fi

[G.Mason]

For this and other thoughts from those that know CLICK THIS

[counterpunch]

[usmc1950]

I am in full agreement with Joe Crecca. To think that Kerry is now trying to capitalize on a period in his life that he has been silent on or even rejected, is repulsive. I think about what he said (to paraphrase) about throwing medals over the White House fence in '71: "they were someone else's medals." Why throw someone else's medals? He was against the war so much that he didn't even have the character to throw his OWN medals - he was awarded the Silver Star, something sounds amiss!

Joe Kennedy, USMC, 3d Bn/26th Marines, '69-70

[GailA]

Kerry was "brilliant," Fonda says

[onedoug]

Me too!

[AndyTheBear]

To think that Kerry is now trying to capitalize on a period in his life that he has been silent on or even rejected, is repulsive.

Agreed, but within the current scope of national politics which other part of his life can he capitalize on:

A) His anti-military voting record?

B) His American-soldiers-are-baby-killers-and-rapists protest leadership?

C) His lack of any serious legislative accomplishments after 17 years as a senior Senator?

D) His highly successful thirty year career as a gigolo?

Could be his service in the Vietnam war was the only decent thing he ever did...but then again by his more recent standards that makes him a baby killer.

[_Jim]

PIC OF KERRY BEING ARRESTED

Doesn't it strike you that there are *two* things wrong with the individuals face who is being identified as Kerry in that that picture:

• the nose (NOT nearly big enough)
• the hair (COMBED straight down into bangs - Kerry's is always combed OVER, EVEN back then. If it were to go straight down, it would cover half his face).

In closing, I think that is a poor Photoshop job or a misidentification of Kerry ...

[usmc1950]

you're right, that's probably the only decent thing he has done. The more that I see these "veterans" support him, I question how many of them really are vets. There has been a cottage industry of "vets" speaking out and making curious statements that there supposed to be "expert" in.
I still don't understand how this guy that he "saved" popped up all of a sudden after >30 yrs - where was he in the interim? He's running for President and now he finds him! No character!

[WOSG]

FYI,

"Kerry versus Bush: Who really went AWOL?"

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1074196/posts