Posted on 05/17/2004 7:42:42 PM PDT by new cruelty
Campaign commercials for presidential candidate John Kerry are again bringing up the issue of President George W. Bush's service record. Both men went to Yale University. Kerry enlisted in Vietnam and returned a hero. George W. Bush joined the US National Guard and left his duty eight months early.
Retired Air Force Captain Jack Lang now lives in Buffalo. He was one of the president's flight instructors and says that the future president was not given any special treatment. When Lang first met George W. Bush in 1969 he had no idea the young man was from a prominent Texas family.
In the cockpit of a T38 fighter jet, Lang knew him as "one of the kids" fighting to prove he could take 52 grueling weeks of flight training. Jack Lang went on to become a flight instructor. One of every three of his students couldn't cut it, but he said George Bush could, and did.
"I can recall meeting his father at graduation and that was the first time I learned there were two George Bushes--that one was related to the other who was a congressman. Prior to that, no one ever told me 'take it easy on this kid because he's prime goods,'" he said.
Lang says some of his students fought and died in Vietnam, but he defends the President's service record in the National Guard. He points to recently released payroll and records which prove the President attended air drills in 1972 and 1973, a time frame some accuse him of skipping out to work on a friend's political campaign.
Lang said, "He didn't go to Vietnam, I didn't go to Vietnam. Maybe we should question why I didn't go to Vietnam. I have no idea--except the Air Force wanted me in a job they needed me for and I did it well."
The two have seen each other through the years. Lang was invited to Bush's presidential inauguration. When Bush arrived in Buffalo last month, Lang was also there.
Lang said, "He says Jack, 'how are you?' and I said, 'I'm extremely proud of you Mr. President.'"
Integrity is a key element of this man.
and he knows how to wear a flight suit.
Kerry had a problem wearing his pickle suit... so he shot his weapon and gave himself a powder burn, got a navy cross for not being present at the battle (his unit got the award.. not the individual).... Kerry is a faux hero... I see no difference in him than in the idiots who claim to be seal team members and don't know the difference between port and starboard.
His daughter seems to have a problem getting dressed as well.
Kerry came home from Viet Nam early too and today I read a story that it was his commanders and others who worked with him who told him to hit the road because he was killing too many civilians.
'He points to recently released payroll and records which prove the President attended air drills in 1972 and 1973, a time frame some accuse him of skipping out to work on a friend's political campaign.'
First I have heard of more released pay stubs etc., that prove his attendance...is this the missing months in Alabama? Gee, you mean it wasn't REPORTED?????
Kerry was such hero that he did it all in 4 months. He was amazing! My biggest surprise was he didn't get a ticker tape parade down Broadway for his heroism.
You can say that again !
Unlike McCain who crashed three trainers and only got his wings because his daddy was commander of the Pacific fleet.
McCain became our only reverse ace by losing five planes.
Are you kidding? The Kerry campaign is actually putting this in commercials???
I'll have to make myself watch one of the ads. We are being inundated with Kerry ads here but I change the channel if I can, tune it out if I can't.
I find that very odd. Very weird. Very telling. (Though not telling me anything I didn't already know. Kerry is a rude, mean and insecure clymer.)
Captain Jack sounds cool.
<< "One of every three of his students couldn't cut it, but he said George Bush could, and did."
Unlike McCain who crashed three trainers and only got his wings because his daddy was commander of the Pacific fleet. >>
Corruptly-graduated girlyman RINO "Dr Strangelove" "Naval 'Aviator'" McCain was the prototype Lt K "Revlon" Hultgreen.
No wonder he and the traitor and former Viet Cong agent, Gulfsteam-gigolo Kohn-Kerry are close.
Misery loves company.
Bush survived numerous flights in the "lead sled." The aircraft he flew had a great reputation as a fighter-interceptor, but, like Babe Ruth, it struck out a lot. I spent 20 months in Vietnam and fought in the battles of Hue, Khe Sanh and Con Thien, that was my choice. The "lead sled" was the choice of Mr. Bush. Lots of people made lots of legal choices. I doubt anything new will come out of a lot of breast-beating, back-slapping, bitching, or pissing and moaning about who did or didn't do what in Vietnam.
My words exactly.
I logged my thirty thousandth command hour during the past twelve months -- of a thirty-three thousand + hrs TT -- and, while neither slavish in my praise nor unaware of his Human falibilities -- and due humility toward them -- have only the highest admiration for our President.
And for his honorable Texas Air National Guard Service.
President Bush has walked -- and still walks -- the walk and, although content in his anonomity, is entitled to talk the talk!
And, come debate time, quite likely will do just that!
BUMPping
Bump !!
Lang says some of his students fought and died in Vietnam, but he defends the President's service record in the National Guard. He points to recently released payroll and records which prove the President attended air drills in 1972 and 1973, a time frame some accuse him of skipping out to work on a friend's political campaign.Lang said, "He didn't go to Vietnam, I didn't go to Vietnam. Maybe we should question why I didn't go to Vietnam. I have no idea--except the Air Force wanted me in a job they needed me for and I did it well."
The two have seen each other through the years. Lang was invited to Bush's presidential inauguration. When Bush arrived in Buffalo last month, Lang was also there.
Lang said, "He says Jack, 'how are you?' and I said, 'I'm extremely proud of you Mr. President.'"
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