Posted on 08/08/2004 12:04:09 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The last time the Vietnam War loomed so large in a presidential election, it was 1972 and U.S. soldiers were still fighting in Southeast Asia.
But the war has taken center stage again as both parties seek the support of Vietnam veterans - turning to them as the emerging elder statesmen among U.S. war veterans.
At a conference this past week, on the 40th anniversary of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, the Vietnam Veterans of America urged its members to make their voices heard.
"This election is probably more important than any election for president since the Vietnam era," Navy veteran Ed Vick, recently retired chairman of advertising giant Young and Rubicam, told the roughly 550 veterans at the convention Wednesday. "We must vote."
For Vietnam veterans - many of whom once felt disconnected from mainstream politics and ostracized by other veteran groups - it’s surprising to be an important part of the 2004 presidential election.
"I had no idea I would be in the position I am now," said David Chung, a VVA member who said he returned from the war homeless. "A lot of people thought or hoped Vietnam would go away, but 30 years later it is at the center of things."
Many veterans see parallels between the current war in Iraq and the one they fought in. The enemy uses guerrilla tactics, casualties are mounting and public opinion is wavering.
Bill Chapman, a VVA member from Cocoa, Fla., remembers joining the Veterans of Foreign Wars when he returned from Vietnam and being told he didn’t fight in a real war.
"Back then, VFW, the American Legion really didn’t want anything to do with us," said Tom Meinhardt of Michigan. "Now they are begging us to join their outfits."
Democratic candidate John Kerry, a founding member of the VVA, is making his Vietnam experience a key part of his campaign, partly to highlight that President George W. Bush avoided serving in Vietnam. In response, conservative groups are bringing out veterans to question Kerry’s service.
That conflict sometimes evokes memories of the divisiveness that gripped the country during and after the Vietnam War, veterans said.
Many VVA members at the convention were hesitant to talk about the current political scene for fear of seeming to publicly endorse one candidate over another. Along with the group’s connection to Kerry, its members include officials of the Bush administration such as Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, who also addressed delegates Wednesday.
Others, like Chung, hold a strong opinion that Kerry abandoned his comrades by returning home and opposing the war. The VVA said it never endorses a candidate.
Putting their war in the middle of an election battle threatens to fracture the group.
"It has caused some inner strife in the chapters," Chapman said. "You have die-hard Republicans, and you have Democrats, too, and it’s tearing some chapters apart like never before. After the election, we need to remember we will still be brothers."
The VVA is pressing the issue of Veterans Administration health care, hoping the political focus on their war and their members will translate into more money for what they say is an underfunded hospital system that denies benefits to 200,000 veterans because it runs out of money annually. It also wants to make sure the current crop of soldiers gets better government support.
It's lie vs truth.
And beyond that, it's LIBERAL vs conservative.
Well, perhaps its time they did.
Oh BS. My father was a Vietnam era vet (served in the Atlantic fleet) and he was welcomed by the VFW with open arms. And my memory of going to the VFW is that Vietnam vets were always around in large numbers at the functions.
Now, scumbags like Kerry these vets can't abide, but the smearing and slurring of American military men is the cause not that they served in Vietnam.
This is progress.
Kerry undoubtedly was of the impression all the criticism would come from the far left in the Democratic party, which would explain his efforts to totally suppress the left at the convention.
Surprise! There are plenty of guys out there who are quite willing to criticize his conduct in the war because they didn't like it when they saw it, nor the way he "went over to the enemy" after the war.
Everyone get ready - the Dems are planning an assault on the Vets beginning 15 Aug - as their book will be relaesed. Again - John Kerry will slander them again - having the 'Brown Book', accusing them of crimes - AGAIN! Read up on www.crushkerry.com. kerry and his groonies will accuse them once again, that they committed worse crimes than he did. They also will smear the Vets with Credit History reports, med. records etc. I think the Vets need a good lawyer, and need to be informed about the upcoming on the all out assault. The NYT has already a copy of the Book....lets help the Vets.
May God damn Kerry to hell. I'm sorry for the language folks, but I watched this man tear the country apart in the 70's and here he is doing it again.
The vets were not welcome by the VFW because they didn't classify the Vietnam War as a war. When the first veterans did join, it was as Social members. My father was instrumental in our area of recognizing them. I remember when one particular soldier was killed. His parents were VFW members and my dad was the only member to show up.
Locally, I believe some of the WWII vets were afraid of losing their positions or status. Once they were recognized, they made some extraordinary changes to the local club and rose fast in the ranks.
His cheapening of the medals is horrible...his later traitorous behavior in front of Congress as he slandered the GOOD soldiers/sailors/marines/airmen was even more atrocious.
He needs to stick his head in a toilet and flush.
I wish it would go away...don't tell me what you did 35 years ago, get in the 21st century and tell me what you're going to do.
Again, my own experience dictates otherwise.
Democratic candidate John Kerry, a founding member of the VVA, is making his Vietnam experience a key part of his campaign, partly to highlight that President George W. Bush avoided serving in Vietnam.
How does Kerry highlighting that Bush didn't go to Vietnam helping the VVA? Are the only ones allowed to joing those who actually served in Vietnam?
What is that suppose to mean?
...and the press hates the president, the war, and the military, and is attacking all with the fervor of a rabid dog, causing any "wavering" in public opinion..
Funny how they left that part out.
John Kerry : "war hero" or a "war criminal"
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1186991/posts
Answer the question Kerry!
Did you lie about your "heroics" or the "war crimes"?
Can't have it both ways!
RELASE ALL YOUR MILITARY RECORDS BEFORE NOV 2nd!
Unless you are hiding something?
Are you?
When you spin the facts, a lot is lost.
My exact reaction when I read this.
Very interesting.
So how come nobody can get Kerry's records and medical history?
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