Posted on 09/02/2004 2:42:41 PM PDT by mtntop3
This morning, 02 Sep 04, I went to a Kerry-Edwards event in Parkersburg, W.Va., which featured James Rassman, Kerry's main Swift Boat supporter.
They've been doing this around W. Va. this week.
I spoke to Rassman shortly after he arrived at the site (Veterans' Memorial in the City Park) and before the event began. I stood next to a couple of media attendees - one print, one radio - and had my trusty tape-recorder with me. I know the drill from my newspaper work.
At an appropriate point, I asked Rassman why Kerry would not sign a Standard Form 180 so that all Kerry's records could be accessible.
Rassman said he had never heard of a SF 180, and asked what it is. I repeated that it's a form that would release all Kerry's military records. Rassman again said that he had never heard of it.
As fortune decreed, I had copies of SF 180 with me. I had brought some in case there was an opportunity to present one to Rassman, and to anyone else there who might be interested (there were only the usual Kerry people, it turned out - which may not bode well for Kerry).
I told Rassman I had a copy and reached into my folder and handed it to him. He took it with a manifestly strange look, didn't say a word, and held it by his side as he proceeded to talk with the two reporters on other questions put by them.
A few moments later, I had an opportunity to ask Rassman when he received his Purple Heart. He said it was on the morning of March 13 (presumably 1969) at which time, he said, he lost "his Chinese soldier to a command-detonated bobby-trap and the following firefight."
He then said, in reply to my next question, that it was not associated with the (Swift Boat) mine incident (when Kerry took off down the river.) That, too, occurred on March 13, 1969.
(In regard to the latter incident, Rassman in his address to the group related how he was swimming underwater to the bank after falling off the boat. He said he was could distinguish between the enemy's AK47 firing and rounds hitting the water and those of the Swift Boat 50's firing and rounds hitting the water.)
I have Rassman's address to the group on tape in addition to the satisfying episode of presenting him the SF 180.
That about sums it up.
mtntop3
Good work.
Nice work. His ignorance of the 180 doesn't seem to square with conventional wisdom that he was an admin. officer. Stranger and stranger.
Wow. Rassman was a busy guy on the 13th of March 1969!
I have Rassman's address to the group on tape in addition to the satisfying episode of presenting him the SF 180.
EXCELLENT FREEP JOB! Non-confrontational, informative, and comprehensive!
I eagerly await a transcript of Rassman's words, or even better, audio.
A few moments later, I had an opportunity to ask Rassman when he received his Purple Heart. He said it was on the morning of March 13 (presumably 1969) at which time, he said, he lost "his Chinese soldier to a command-detonated bobby-trap and the following firefight."
What is this "Chinese soldier" that Rassman lost? Is that a slang term? Really, I am serious. I don't have a clue what that means
Maybe next time Kerry comes to town, I'll whip out a piece of paper, ask for his autograph, and have a sheet of carbon paper under it, on top of a form 180...
Heh heh heh
It's unclear why Rassman was on the boat at that time and he was familiar with filling out forms. If he nominated Kerry for a Bronze Star and Kerry nominated him for a Purple Heart that would provide further explanation for why Rassman is perpetually lying.
Hooah.
WTG.
I wouldn't be surprised if Rassman signs and files the SF 180. It will show that he isn't hiding anything. At the same time, he would be setting a good example for Mr. Kerry to follow. One can only hope.
How could he not know? Seems strange.
Very good job, BTW.
WV coverage ping
Wouldn't that be sweet? Ask him for an autograph and have him sign at the bottom of a 180! Preferably with camcorder running!
How about distiguishing between US M-16 rounds vs. AK rounds hitting the water?
And I really doubt this anyway. How many times in Rassman's life was he underwater listening to rounds hit? It could have easily been the difference between rounds hitting nearby vs. rounds a mile downriver.
sounds like it was - this is significant. there is no other mention of other battles ... plus if Rassman was injured earlier then why has he never mentioned nor does it explain why he was on a mission later.
Has anyone thought to have Rassmann sign an SF180? His records might show something that relates to the Kerry-Licorice-Rassmann water rescues.
ping
Wait a second, Rassman fell off his swift boat twice in a single day? Both times from mines? How many times did this happen during his whole tour?
Excellent face-to-face FReep.
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