TIRED OF HEARING KERRY CALLED A 'HERO'

mark steyn website ^ | February 17, 2004 | Sgt. Major Edward F. Komac

[dennisw]

Letter Of The Week TIRED OF HEARING KERRY CALLED A 'HERO' Thank you for your article, Kerry's post-battlefield conversion is pathetic.

I spent three tours in Vietnam with the 5th Special Forces (Airborne) with side trips to Laos and Cambodia. I lost twenty-three of my friends during the war. That is the price you pay for the profession we followed.

However, the America public and a lot of Vietnam Veterans are being taken in by John Kerry's service in Vietnam. If you read about the award of his three Purple Hearts, they were nothing but scratches. If my Team Medic would have put me in for a Purple Heart every time I was dinged, I would have a chest full of them also, I wouldn't been able to face my fellow Team Mates. He used those three awards to get out of further combat. Also, the award of his Silver Star is rather dubious. It was up-graded from a Bronze Star, which by the way, I have three of them. During the Anti-war protest, the Vietnam Veterans threw their medals on the steps in Washington. When Kerry's were seen displayed in his office, someone asked him, didn't you throw those away during the protest? His reply, the ones I threw were symbolic.

I'm sorry that I got on a roll. I'm just tired of hearing what a "hero" Kerry claims to be. I would like to see that picture of him with the VC Flag behind him when he was telling everyone what evil things we done in Vietnam displayed more often.

Sgt. Major Edward F. Komac USA Retired

[Bobibutu]

knowledgable = knowledgeable 

[Jaxter]

"I would like to see that picture of him with the VC Flag behind him..."

The picture is photoshopped but, what the heck, it's symbolic, right?

[jackbill]

In his 1985 memoir about the war, Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap wrote that if it weren't for organizations like Kerry's Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Hanoi would have surrendered to the U.S. - according to Fox News Channel war historian Oliver North.

Did Giap mention the Viet Nam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) specifically, by name? If not, it's not worth mentioning. Kerry can just say "He wasn't talking about our group."

[TheSpottedOwl]

During the Anti-war protest, the Vietnam Veterans threw their medals on the steps in Washington. When Kerry's were seen displayed in his office, someone asked him, didn't you throw those away during the protest? His reply, the ones I threw were symbolic.

What a Clintonite. We have to get the word out!

[beckysueb]

I agree. Today was the first time I quit listening to Shawn. I think his time at FoxNews is getting into his radio show. I say we all email him and tell him Kerry is not a hero and he needs to wake up and smell the coffee. Did you notice that the guy was trying to tell Shawn when their protest was going to be and Shawn basically said yeah ok and then started talking about his book. He needs to understand he is loosing his listeners.

[TheSpottedOwl]

In his 1985 memoir about the war, Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap wrote that if it weren't for organizations like Kerry's Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Hanoi would have surrendered to the U.S. - according to Fox News Channel war historian Oliver North.

Immodium AD ping...

[beckysueb]

I think FoxNews has drummed it into his head so much not to bash Kerrys war record that he is afraid of losing his job. Either that or he is a suck up. I think Shawn is basically a nice guy but he doesn't have the go for the juglar and niceties be damned like Rush has.

[beckysueb]

And all the libs do is scream about the 500 and something casualties we have had in the Iraqi war. This is not to say that every single life we lost wasn't precious.

[Lancey Howard]

Kerry is no "hero" and I never thought McCrazy was, either.
The "heroes" have their names engraved, 58,000 of them, on a wall in Washington DC.
Kerry is nothing but a scumbag who is using those real heroes to further his own selfish political ambitions.

He is a disgrace.

[onyx]

Yes, we must expose this man. You're right, he's a Clintonite. Symbolic.

[beelzepug]

"...Shawn is basically a nice guy..."

I can't stand to listen to him anymore. He's turned into a big blowhard and a shameless self-promoter. He's like a spoiled little boy who wants all the grown-ups to see how smart he is. I'm getting to the point that I almost like Colmes better. At least he doesn't try to hide what he is and I've even heard him come down on the right side of some things recently.

[demlosers]

I want to see his Silver star citation. Supposedly he wrote it himself.

Well, I heard he will not release it. It probably goes something like this, walking on water:

In the name of the President, the Commanding Admiral of Pacific Fleet Forces, takes pleasure in awarding the Silver Star to

Lieutenant Junior Grade John F. Kerry

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the Costal Service One, Task Force 115, Republic of Vietnam. On February 29, 1969, during costal interdiction operations, Patrol Craft Fast 94 came under heavy crossfire from the shoreline. Without hesitation, and with perfect seamanship, Lieutenant JG Kerry outfoxed and outfought the enemy saving the task force and his ship from certain destruction. His command was beyond brilliant: Lt. JG Kerry maneuver execution orders were masterful that will be studied for a millennia in every naval warfare college. His tactics surprised the enemy that prevented them from delivering a massive salvo of 10,000 B-40 rockets directed at his task force. When the munition stock ran low or totally expended, Lieutenant Kerry directed his Swift boat at the enemy, where he could engage the enemy in close quarter combat. By doing so he perform the Cu de Gras. After disembarking from his ship, Lieutenant Kerry single handedly defeated the enemy with only an M-16...blah blah blah. By his steadfast cool courage under fire, exceptional tactical genius, and an aura of selfless devotion to duty, Lieutenant JG Kerry is an inspiration to everyone who has served with him, and upheld the highest naval traditions, and to all who have served with the United States Naval Service.

[onyx]

Oh, Lord. What idiots.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Kerry: Talk to the wall

The names inscribed on this black granite shrine to their meritorious service did not run away, nor did the names of those inscribed on this beautiful black granite memorial protest. Each man who's name is inscribed on this wall died proud, spreading freedom, for the country they loved.

As a nephew of a Army Veteran of the Vietnam War, I implore you to walk up to the wall Senator Kerry, hold up your clenched fist like a defiant anti-war hero, and tell each name on this wall that they are "baby killers", and "rapists", and before you walk away, tell each name on the wall you're running for President and you vow to abandon them and other Veterans of current and past wars yet again. Finally before you leave, I dare you to spit upon the Veterans like you did 33 years ago in Valley Forge, PA, with Hanoi Jane Fonda, who sat upon an NVA artillery canon which was trained upon the very men inscribed on this wall.

58,000 names are on this wall Senator Kerry, much larger than any campaign speech crowd you've had thus far to date.

[shagbark]

Not only were his medals not earned and a key to bugging out of the war, in his bio there is mention of an action where a viet cong soldier was wounded and no longer a threat
to him or his patrol boat. He walked over to the wounded soldier and administered a coup-de-grace. Kerry is a war criminal and a murderer in addition to turncoat.

[KillTime]

I rarely listen to Hannity anymore. He is growing worse reminding us every freaking minute about his damn book and that Kerry really is a hero (to him) that you mention, and his not completing his thoughts, changing direction in mid-sentence, etc. He is a headache I will not endure anymore.

[RightWingMama]

Perfect analysis. Thanks for the link.

[GailA]

Hannity happens to like hanoi john, he's said it more than once. This inturpting is a failure of his, when someone says something he doesn't like to hear. We only get 2 hours in Memphis, so I missed this.

[nicollo]

Benedict Arnold was a War Hero, wasn't he?