I served from '69-'72, and knew guys who won medals. My attitude was "good for them", but the most common commentary soldiers made about medals was "with a Silver Star and a dime, you can get a cup of coffee". I saw alot of valor that went unrecognized, and some medals awarded that were unwarranted. Winning medals wasn't the point and it doesn't separate the heroes from the every day grunt. Getting my ass home in one piece was all I ever wanted. As far as I'm concerned, the heroes are on The Wall. The only recognition that meant anything is what your buddies thought of you, and the only glory in war is not letting them down. Period. The rest is fluff.
Dead On!!!!!
and J Fin Kerry let us all down. The BOY has no HONOR. He has lost the right to even be called a man.
Kerry does, and Kerry stands silent while his minions wave his alleged heroism for the public to see. Kerry does not display the humility that heroes naturally possess. Kerry does not demand that those who speak in his name cease and desist from slandering those who served honorably and with esprit d'corp.
Kerry is a hollow man.
Kerry is "all hat, no cattle".
24 - "I saw alot of valor that went unrecognized, and some medals awarded that were unwarranted. Winning medals wasn't the point and it doesn't separate the heroes from the every day grunt."
I agree - so I really can't vilify Kerry (while he was in 'Nam) - there was a lot of valor that went unrecognized, and unrewarded. And on occasion there was a glory hound, who 'spun' the stories/paperwork to collect extra 'fruit salad'.
However, I personally think that Kerry 'spun' his reports to get medals and purple hearts to get his butt out of the war, when he found out just how 'hot' it was. And he had a job/purpose - to get back and run for president (yes even then it was his plan).
And his actions after he got back to the 'world' got a bunch of my friends and comrads killed - and got me spit upon.