'Hanoi John' Gets Unwelcome Reception From Veterans

CNSNEWS.com ^ | 7/29/04 | Robert B. Bluey

[kattracks]

Boston (CNSNews.com) - Hours after Sen. John Kerry sailed into this city with his Vietnam swift boat crewmates Wednesday, about a hundred other veterans gathered near the Democratic National Convention site to protest the anti-war positions of Kerry's past.

"He's a phony and he's a traitor," said Vietnam veteran Rich Burke, 66, of Boston. "He returned from Vietnam and testified in Congress that the military were baby killers and war criminals. He abandoned and left all of his comrades to put up with that sort of statement. He's no good."

The veterans gathered near Kerry's Boston office at 1 Bowdoin St. around 6 p.m. and marched toward the FleetCenter, where the convention is taking place. Vietnam veterans were joined by Korean veterans and Vietnamese-Americans, many of them from Boston and its suburbs.

The protest was designed to counter Kerry's use of Vietnam, including his war medals, as a campaign issue. Even before Kerry's arrival in Boston with 13 veterans Wednesday, the Democrat had routinely enlisted some of his former comrades to boost his presidential campaign.

"They're in the minority," said Korean War veteran Richard Creccr, 70, of Brighton, Mass. "These are the veterans right here. We're the ones who count. We'll be the ones voting. Let's hope he doesn't make it, but in this country, you never know."

But one prominent veteran, retired Gen. Wesley Clark, a one-time Democrat presidential candidate, dismissed the veterans' effort.

"What [Kerry] did was straightforward and courageous," Clark told CNSNews.com. "He received the appropriate recommendations and awards for it. That's the way it should be."

Kerry's repeated mention of Vietnam in his presidential bid has irked some veterans because of the anti-war positions he took once he returned from his four-month tour of duty. Kerry became an influential leader of Vietnam Veterans Against the War, aligning himself with activist Jane Fonda. One sign on Wednesday compared "Hanoi Jane" to "Hanoi John."

The future U.S. senator also testified before Congress about alleged atrocities that American soldiers had committed in Vietnam. Those memories still linger for some veterans.

"Because of people like Kerry and Fonda, Vietnam vets had to hide under a rock for 15 years," said Reg Cornelia, 60, East Hampton, N.Y. "He came back and he lied about the atrocities, and worse still, he brought guys to testify before Congress who he knew had never served in Vietnam."

Kerry turned on U.S. soldiers as a matter of "political expediency," Cornelia said. He wondered why the news media hadn't pushed Kerry on that subject.

"Mark my words," Burke added. "See how much national news coverage this protest gets. These guys are all veterans, they know his record, and they're all against him. Yet the mainstream media will probably ignore this rally so it becomes a non-event."

Some veterans said they've tracked Kerry's career. Vietnam veteran James Booth, 58, of South China, Maine, said coming out to oppose the Democrat on the eve of his prime-time speech was the right thing to do.

"We know he's a phony," Booth said. "You don't get two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and a Silver Star in 21 days. You don't do it, no way. I was at Walter Reed [Army Medical Center] for 18 months. I got one Purple Heart. I lost an eye, part of my jaw and got hit in the arm. This guy's got three scratches and he's making a big deal out of it. It doesn't seem right."

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Send a Letter to the Editor about this article.

[FreedomPoster]

>>Speaking of Walter Reed Hospital has hanoi john been bothered to visit our injured troops there?

He wanted to go, meant to go, intended to go, before he didn't go.

[AndyJackson]

Well, if Weaseley "go start a war with the Russians" Clark says Kerry is a great combat leader, who am I to question this?

[cake_crumb]

I haven't heard Fox reporting anything about veterans protesting Kerry. If they have, I've missed it. I know they're THERE everywhere Kerry goes. I suppose yesterday's protest of THE Vietnam War Hero ® will be dismissed as "people protesting Boston's security measures" IF it's mentioned by the mass media at all

[Paratrooper]

I believe this is part of the Democratic strategy. They don't need to bash Bush at their convention because they are counting on the press to do this task. The democrats are probably planning huge demonstrations for the Republican convention....watch, the media will give it equal time to the demonstrators.

[kellynla]

And this is just July.
By Labor Day weekend Ketchup is gonna wish he was back in Nam. Between the protests of Viet Nam veterans like these and the book coming out that exposes him for the fraud he is, Ketchup will feel like the entire world has come dropped a load of bricks on his arse.

Semper Fi,
Kelly

Viet Nam Veterans Against John Kerry
http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnkerry.com

[EmilyGeiger]

Yes, but was it 16 generals who have come out in support of Kerry? They like him! (sarcasm) It makes me suspicious of any military man with rank who will stand on the democratic side of the fence. They are the ones who have political ambitions. Otherwise how could you support someone who doesn't believe what you do merits a pay raise or the money to buy necessary equipment.

[LoudRepublicangirl]

While Kerry came back and betrayed the others who were left to fight the war my Uncle was doused with Agent Orange, was hit in the head with schrapnel and left blind in one eye and was shot in the arm. My uncle received 2 Purple Hearts as well as other medals. My uncle was dead at 54 from non-Hodgkins Lymphoma which they believe is due to the Agent Orange exposure-Kerry gets to live on and tell the story of what a friggin war hero he is......

[NeoCaveman]

He's a phony and he's a traitor," said Vietnam veteran Rich Burke, 66, of Boston. "He returned from Vietnam and testified in Congress that the military were baby killers and war criminals. He abandoned and left all of his comrades to put up with that sort of statement. He's no good."

Kerrylied.com

[SheLion]

My now deceased Viet Nam hubby, served 13 months in Viet Nam. Army.  I believe he told me the biggest fight was in or for Da Nang.

They had to cut down trees and thick brush to make a clearing so they had clear view of any Con trying to sneak in on them.  They dug out bunkers to live underground.  Bunkers that reached 100 degrees in the day and nights of the hot humid summers.

Sometimes, they had to spend hours and hours in their bunkers because the Con kept firing incoming and the men couldn't go out until it stopped.  They shared their hot humid underground bunkers with black scorpions and rats.

Many spent the time telling jokes or writing letters home.  Others prayed.

They sat on self-made UNCOVERED toilets outside away from their bunkers (they had to dig a hole and construct the "seat") when they had to go.  Uncovered?  Yes.  So they could watch for incoming rounds. (I ask him 'how did you GO with everyone watching you?'  He said "Hey! when you gotta go you gotta go.  It was better for your guys to see you taking a s*it and be safe while you DO it.'

His outfit was subjected to Agent Orange over and over.  Crop dusters would fly over all the time dropping Agent Orange.  To 'kill the brush don't you know.'

He was out side the bunker on a quiet day when rounds started coming in and the rounds got him in the back and legs.  One of his men pulled him to safety.  To this day he died he still had shrapnel in his back and legs.

He received a Purple Heart, but he was able to bring that Purple Heart home alive, thank God.

If FnKerry had gone through HALF of what my hubby and the Army and Marines did during that time, I would have some respect for him.  But from the looks of it, FnKerry had a cushy job.  How the 'ell he received Purple Hearts is sure beyond me!  He should have walked a mile in MY hubby's boots just one one WEEK!

[television is just wrong]

Well, where is he finding these men he calls his comerades to ride on the boat to the convention with him. These comerades are made up? Paid?

[sevry]

"Mark my words," Burke added. "See how much national news coverage this protest gets. These guys are all veterans, they know his record, and they're all against him. Yet the mainstream media will probably ignore this rally so it becomes a non-event."

I know Burke won't read this. But - PEOPLE! Let's listen up, here.

The leftwing 'mainstream' obv. would not cover this. That's the point of the leftwing 'mainstream'. They probably should ban the alphab-nets from such a press conference, for what it's worth. Let Rush know. Hannity. Ingraham. etc. Let FOX report it. Let the news sites on the web, like NRO, and 'freeper' and others report it, just like this.

The division is this country is caused by many things, around the 'social issues'. One of those are the pointed omissions by the leftwing 'mainstream'. That keeps the liberals from breaking camp. But I don't think that lefties should all be written off. I was a leftwinger for quite awhile. People can change for the better. But they won't get that assistance from the propagandists for liberalism. It won't come from that direction, save that they suddenly have an epiphany and say - man, these alphab-guys are FULL of it!

[RasterMaster]

Keep tha dirtbag away! It would only be another meaningless photo-op.

[sevry]

but was it 16 generals who have come out in support of Kerry?

Anyone have a list? I mean, you get the typ. liberal losers as panelists on these PBS McNeilless specials and 'news' hours. These are the guys who I think spoke of Americans dying by the thousands - under the gates of the city, or something. I'm not talking about 'Bob' saying this. If it's the same bunch of ex-generals, then it figures.

[LisaMalia]

Why are these brave folks given virtually NO media attention? I think we all know the answer to that one.

However, the newsnetworks (including Fox) repeated the fact ad naseum when Kerry arrived in Boston via boat yesterday, that he was accompanied by his swift boat mates. No mention of the fact (that I heard) that there were only a couple of them, or that the majority of his boat mates are appalled with Kerry and his actions during Vietnam.

THESE FOLKS NEED AND DESERVE TO BE HEARD BY ALL AMERICANS!

[EmilyGeiger]

Probably the same bunch of generals. It was mentioned on Fox & Friends this morning with the Beltway Boys. Mort said that Clinton had one general but Kerry had 16. Then, the other guy (can't think of his name) said Yes but Bush will have 100s. Bush will, but I doubt it will be talked about near as much as the 16 Kerry has.

[LisaMalia]

God bless your late hubby, SheLion.

[biblewonk]

ping

[Mo1]

"Mark my words," Burke added. "See how much national news coverage this protest gets. These guys are all veterans, they know his record, and they're all against him. Yet the mainstream media will probably ignore this rally so it becomes a non-event."

WELL MAINSTREAM MEDIA/PRESS .. ARE YA GOING PROVE HIM WRONG ...

ARE YOU GOING TO REPORT ON THIS???

OR WILL YOU BE JUST LIKE HANOI JANE/JOHN ????

[GVnana]

Well, where is he finding these men he calls his comerades to ride on the boat to the convention with him. These comerades are made up? Paid?

I've had to wonder about that too. According to some very reliable Freepers, there are only two members of Kerry's swift boat outfit that support him. So his "band of brothers" comes from????

This needs to be hammered home.

I'm very pleased these Vets managed to stage a protest. Something few others seem to be able to accomplish in Boston. Kerry needs to be called on the carpet, big time, and have his "band" outted.

[SheLion]

God bless your late hubby, SheLion.

Thank you, LisaMalia! I believe that Agent Orange caused his early death. But thank God, he went quick and didn't linger and suffer. He sure loved this Country! I can say that for him! :)