SOURCE: http://www.usvetdsp.com
Posted on 08/19/2004 12:50:51 PM PDT by gilliam
Statement by Navy Veteran Van Odell, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, in Rebuttal to Michael Dobbs, Washington Post, August 19, 2004
A courageous, soft spoken man of the Midwest, Larry Thurlow has a heart bigger than the great plains and a commitment to truth and honesty that is boundless. He is under attack, because John Kerry is feeling the heat of truth at the hands of this honest man and others like him.
The Kerry Campaign is attacking the truthfulness of this man and the Bronze Star he so richly deserves for his actions on March 13, 1969. I was there. I saw what happened.
The mine’s detonation lifted PCF-3 completely out of the water just yards ahead of me. All boats commenced suppression fire in case enemy small arms fire ensued. None did.
All boats came to the aid of PCF-3, except one: John Kerry’s boat. Kerry fled.
Larry Thurlow piloted his boat straight toward the mine-damaged PCF-3 from which thick, black smoke billowed. He jumped aboard and personally led damage control operations that saved the boat and rescue operations that saved the lives of badly wounded men. Larry’s leadership was in the highest traditions of the naval service. His leadership allowed the other men and boats of the mission to exit the river safely.
This “single act of meritorious service” – the chief requirement of the Bronze Star – should be honored, not ridiculed, by the Kerry campaign and its allies in the mainstream media.
To reiterate, only one enemy weapon was deployed that day – the command-detonated submerged mine that disabled PCF-3. Larry Thurlow’s citation contained references to “enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire,” because that was the language chosen by John Kerry who penned the “spot report” on the action that day. There was no “enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire” received that day. John Kerry’s report was fiction – a hoax on the entire chain of command.
Larry Thurlow’s heroism and meritorious service, however, is real. To me Larry is one of the heroes of our country. He is a man who served his country when called and who returned home to be a productive citizen. Larry and men like him are the strong backbone of our society. I am proud to have served with him.
John O'Neill will be on Hannity & Colmes tonight for half an hour (the Kerry representative backed out).
"All boats came to the aid of PCF-3, except one: John Kerry’s boat. Kerry fled."
"Devastating."
No WONDER The Swift Vets have come forward to tell the TRUTH about A man THEY KNOW WELL AND FOR WHICH THEY HAVE NO RESPECT!
That's not exactly accurate. The reason for what they're doing is to help re-elect President Bush and to make sure that Kerry isn't elected. That's a good goal, and what they're doing is certainly necessary, but they certainly have something to gain: a second term for the Presidential candidate they prefer.
And be clear that I don't think that they're lying. I'm only pointing out that they have a motivation and an end that they are trying to bring about.
So, while I make sure it's clear that I don't think they're lying, if they were they would have something to gain by doing it -- and that's why the media is looking for cracks in their story, to make it look like they're lying, or at least to shed doubt on their version of events.
Don't you just love it when eyewitnesses who have no agenda come forward?
OTOH, I wanted to gag this AM when a sound bite from JFKerry on the topic of cost of drugs in USA was played on TV. He was bashing Bush et al saying how much money seniors and others could save if they could buy drugs from anywhere in the world.
The un-mitigated GALL of this man to make this statement, when his running mate has built his entire fortune and reputation on the suing of the entire medical industry.
How many dollars did Edwards milk from the medical industry thru out his career? At best, many of his victories were based on his presentation rather than sound evidence. How many pills could have been sold cheaper by the USA drug industry if they weren't paying $$$$$ out to Edwards and his cohorts on a constant basis?
After Bush and Hastert find a way to end the IRS with a flat tax, I hope they put lots of energy toward real legal reform of the Tort lawyer industry.
Already has been spun. One of Kerry's crew said that they had to turn around to avoid obstructions in the water (maybe like mines!), and that this was SOP.
Wonder what the difference is between making a U-turn and FLEEING? NASCAR stewards need here???
I know very little, actually nothing, about Swift Boat operations, but in my estimation Larry Thurlow deserved, at a minumum, the Silver Star.
What say you, John Kerry?
Not all of the military personnel in Vietnam were Democrats. Statistically, there had to be a significant number of Republicans and Independents. ALL vets from Nam have to be getting chafed over Kerry's lies and blowhard stories.
Correction: Kerry attacked the wrong men. Over 30 years ago.
Only a matter of time, only a matter of time.
SOURCE: http://www.usvetdsp.com
Excuse me..but 3 months out of a 12 month tour is hardly "more than most" especially the 50,000 plus that made the ultimate sacrifice.
Hey, he was going to get HELP!
Kind of similar to when my Sgt D (while on Fuji) answered when I asked... "Sgt D, we only have 12 shells between Merc and I. What do we do if the JRA hits?"... sgt D replies, "shoot slow Cpl SMEAC,,,and I'll get Staff Leck who'll then run to get help"...
Just the fact that he has, in two different cases, stated that he was on kerry's boat and simultaneously on another boat behind kerry's brings his credibility into serious question.
What is interesting is that the swiftvets are all telling the same story and it is substatiated by the Navy records. Kerry's story is only substantiated by five of the six guys on his boat and their versions are beginning to crack under scrutiny.
Kerry's job as commander of the boat was to assess the risk. He was the only one who came to the conclusion he was in danger and fled. None of the other commanders fled after cover fire by the remaining boats showed nobody firing back.
It strongly implies cowardice. If Kerry is indeed the source of the enemy fire portion of the recommendations, it implies he may have been covering up that cowardice by...what else....exaggerating the circumstances and thus his own heroism.
It certainly establishes a very disturbing pattern of behavior spanning 35 years.
That statement is only half-true.
They're silent on GWB, as well they should be.
They didn't even form the organization until kerry had gotten the nomination. If kerry weren't the nominee, we never would have heard of the Swiftees.
Thank you for that info. I'll ping the FoxFan list.
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