Bush and I were Lieutenants (Fellow Pilot Comes to Bush's Defense)

The Washington Times Letters to the Editor ^ | 2-11-4 | Col. William Campenni (ret.)

[Petronski]

'Bush and I were lieutenants'

George Bush and I were lieutenants and pilots in the 111th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS), Texas Air National Guard (ANG) from 1970 to 1971. We had the same flight and squadron commanders (Maj. William Harris and Lt. Col. Jerry Killian, both now deceased). While we were not part of the same social circle outside the base, we were in the same fraternity of fighter pilots, and proudly wore the same squadron patch.

[MEG33]

Repeating not reporting!..I may have the name wrong above,but I heard it.

[Darlin']

".... This is a good start. Bush should have spoken to this earlier as it would have provided the context of his last few months. "

A good start ? A good start, you say ? You've just made the best argument for treating this assinine smear tactic, and those who perpetuate it, with the contempt it deserves.

Why on earth would President Bush want anyone from his old ANG unit to be subjected to that pack of jackals ? Enough is never enough with people like that. They aren't interested in the truth, proof is what they say it is and the standard changes from person to person. As evidenced by that classless worm at NBC, David Gregory. Yesterday, he had no sooner gotten the White House documentation in his hands before he was asking for the President's IRS records for that time period, too. Before today is over, Col. William Campenni's entire life will be thoroughly examined and God help him if he has ever made even a tiny mistake cause he and his family will be destroyed.

Clearly, I do not have the temperment for public service cause it'd be a mighty "COLD" day before I released any information to them.

[Bob Eimiller]

bump to save

[MEG33]

He sure sounded good on Gibson's show and I think the jackals may end up terribly disappointed!

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

I would say you all already have this but its my sworn duty to PING ya on the head with it !

[lawgirl]

shout it from the mountain tops!!

And get this guy on Foxnews--- BRIT YOOHOO!!!! over here!!!

[MEG33]

If you are speaking of the letter writer,#566.

[mathluv]

He was just on - The Big Story.

[Tamzee]

Lt.Bush was never allowed to fly again.

I was an EMT for years until I gave it up while preparing to move out of state to a new area and job. I stopped my "refresher" requirements in the squad because I knew it would be a waste of time, I wouldn't be performing my "duties" much longer anyways.

I "was never allowed" to ride as an EMT again because I didn't complete those requirements.... entirely by choice, the same way most folks stopped taking refresher courses on purpose when they no longer would be actively participating in the squad.

[Darlin']

Thanks for the pings :) I'm grateful Col Campenni decided to speak up even though it means his life will now be subjected to the most intense and ruthless scrutiny imaginable. He is a brave soul.

[MEG33]

I liked him a lot!The Sun Times reporter blew the AWOL story out of the water,too!HOO AAH!

[ducks1944]

Thanks You Mr. Campenni and GOD BLESS you and OUR COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. We are proud of our Notational Guard as we are proud of all our TROOPS.
My Brother had 2 tours of duty in Vietnam, while Kerry was hear protesting. Our troops paid for it just ask John McCain. He sad Kerry protesting was used against our troops.

[Defender2]

Paging Sean Hannity! How about having Colonel Campenni on your show tonight, PLEASE. Thank You, Very Best FReegards, Defender2 D2

[Darlin']

Yes, he did sound good. :)

[ChadGore]

Is this guy willing to do interviews ?

Hannity needs to talk to him, either on Radio, or TV.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

We are proud members of the Army National Guard "Family" (Retired).

Art was an Aviation Battalion Commander (Ret LTC). What this COL. says is absolutely true.

Not only did (do) we have people reschedule their Guard time, but we had (have) people from other companies and units train with our units and vice versa. We still know a TON of Guard who do the same thing. Until the Guard is "activated" they are civilians, and this is how it works until they are "Active Duty". Even when they are on their two weeks "active duty"status.. the Guard tries to accomodate the "civilian soldier" as best they can.

Art served in Nam with "Activated" Guard. But he couldn't tell you their names. He was active duty Army at the time. Heck, he couldn't tell you who HE flew with then who were ACTIVE ARMY! (He remembers a couple names).

We have two friends who are "Active Duty Guard" who are IN IRAQ right now who are Army Guard pilots.

I can assure you that BOTH have rescheduled their Guard duty before!

Our Army pilots don't train for the long periods that our Air Force pilots train for either.

This is an EXCELLENT article!

Thanks for posting it! Well said! I'll be posting it in an e-mail to all our Guard buddies who are as outraged as we are by this SMEAR campaign on our Presidents military record!

This is sickening. Every family member of a Guardsman who has died and given the ultimate sacrifice has been slapped in the face. Same goes for any who have been wounded, or who are currently serving.

If Kerry wants to get on this bandwagon it *speaks volumes* to his ability to be a Commander in Chief. To lead. HE HAS NO ABILITY, NO AUTHORITY!

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I was just watching him, and I thought the same thing - God bless this man. God bless him.

[lawgirl]

really?

My apologies to Brit! LOL! Does the Big Story replay anytime?

[MEG33]

He just appeared on Fox.Great.See posts from about 40 or so back to now.

[ChadGore]

thanks Meg :)