[Miss Marple]

I see your confusion. However, an enlistment is the length of time you commit to the service. For Kerry, that was, I believe, 4 years. "Tour" is short for "tour of duty" which is an extended assignment overseas. Most tours of duty for Viet Nam were 12 months in country for the Army. For the Navy and Air Force, they may have been a bit longer. However, normal tours were NOT four months. Even Al Gore was there longer than Kerry's second tour.

[Carolinamom]

MY thanks for that clarification.

When so many veterans (my brother included) suffered grievous wounds and served under fire for much longer periods than either Gore or Kerry, these 2 politicians have painted their 4-5 months in Vietnam as the ultimate qualification for the office of President.

Unlike Kerry's constant references to his veteran status, the veterans I know do not talk or brag about THEIR experiences.

[johnb838]

Why can't, whenever people start with the "Kerry was a leader of men in VN" crap, we simply reply "less than four months in country and a bunch of questionable medals which he later rejected -- an insult to those who *really* served". Can you imagine the spluttering and rage from the leftist? They wouldn't be able to answer. We have to refuse to play their (PC) game.