Replies

Here's my take on Kerry's Band of Brothers. There is not doubt that Kerry, as part of his self-promotion, also rewarded those under him so they could vouch for his awards. There have also been some allegations that the tours of his crew were also curtailed through his inflence. However, Steve Gardner is an exception in terms of being bought off. He served two 12 month tours.

How does someone maintain a 35 year relationship with five or six guys you served with for about two months? Kerry skippered two boats for about two months each, which means 10 men served under him. I believe Kerry initiated and nurtured this relationship to further hhis political ambitions. You don't go to Vietnam with your journal, camera, and a desire to accumulate medals without thinking about the future. Kerry fancied himself another JFK, by self-admission, and liked the idea of having his own version of PT-109.

Although he failed in his first run for office, Kerry used his Band of Brothers as political props for over 25 years. He used his status as a decorated war hero to intimidate his political opponents who did not serve. On the other hand, he could use his role as an antiwar spokesman, which propelled him on the national stage at the age of 27.

As Kerry rose in prominence from Lt. Gov to Senator, the Band of Brothers went along with him to experience the rarified air of being associated with a celebrity and power broker. I am sure Kerry did favors for them, as he could as a prominent politician. He must have paid their way to accompany him during his campaigns and invited them to various functions over the years. It was good to have a US Senator as a friend and supporter, especially a very rich one after he married Teresa in 1995, just a year before his toughest reelection campaign. Who doesn't like Santa Claus?

Kerry didn't maintain that same kind of relationship with his peers (except Skip Barker) because they were not his subordinates and considered him an ineffectual jerk by and large.

Kerry's Band of Brothers are held together less by friendship and more by a mutually beneficial relationship, material and psychic. I would be interested to learn more about the Band of Brothers in terms of their military records and lives since they left the military. There is a story there for anyone who wants to check it out.

How does someone maintain a 35 year relationship

I hope I have this right, but the guy Kerry was suppose to have saved "from the enemy" said he hadn't heard from Kerry for 35 years until one day he called him. I saw him interviewed on TV.

Where did you hear he kept in touch with them? It seems as though Kerry would be "too good" for the unwashed left overs from his youth.

Well said. Not unlike sport fans, "association" can define one's self image.