Posted on 09/13/2004 12:29:34 PM PDT by NonLinear
Wounded Vet Buys Full Page Of Army Times
This gentleman felt so strongly about this that he paid for a full page ad in the Sept 6th Edition of the Army Times. By Dexter Lehtinen, an Army paratrooper and Ranger, severely wounded in 1971 while a reconnaissance platoon leader in Vietnam. He later graduated first in his class from Stanford Law School and later served as a Florida State Senator and the United States Attorney in Miami.
Here is his Full Page Advertisement: John Kerry & Vietnam THE WOUNDS THAT NEVER HEAL
In 1971, I awakened after three days of unconsciousness aboard a hospital ship off the coast of Vietnam. I could not see, my jaws were wired shut, and my left cheekbone was missing, a gaping hole in its place. Later, while still in that condition at St Albans Naval Hospital, one of my earliest recollections was hearing of John Kerrys testimony before Congress.
I remember lying there, in dis! belief, as I learned how Kerry told the world that I served in an Army reminiscent of Genghis Khans; that officers like me routinely let their men plunder villages and rape villagers at will; that "war crimes" committed in Vietnam by my fellow soldiers "were not isolated incidents but crimes committed on a day-to-day basis with the full awareness of officers at all levels of command."
Then Kerry went to Paris, meeting with the North Vietnamese enemy officials, all while our soldiers still fought in the field. The pain and disbelief I felt listening to his words went deeper than the pain I felt from the enemy fire which seriously wounded my face. Eighteen months later I was discharged from the hospital, the wounds inflicted by the enemy fully healed. But more than 30 years later, the wounds inflicted by John Kerry continue to bring pain to scores of Vietnam veterans. Those wounds--the bearing of false witness against me and a genera! tion of courageous young Americans who fought and died in Vietnam-- are much more serious than any wound warranting a Purple Heart. Those wounds go to the heart and soul. Those wounds never go away.
Today, my son is a Marine Corps weapons officer, flying the F/A 18 Hornet. He belongs to the same Marine Corps Kerry ridiculed with his 1971 book cover showing protestors simulating the Iwo Jima Memorial, raising an upside-down American flag. He flies the same F/A 18 fighter jet that Kerry voted against in the U. S. Senate. And today, Kerrys picture hangs in an honored place in Saigons war museum, as a hero to the Vietnamese Communists.
Yet, John Kerry shamelessly drapes himself in the imagery of Vietnam, military service and the support of veterans devoid of any media scrutiny. Meanwhile, the criticism and disapproval of Kerry by scores of veterans continues to fall on deaf ears. Worse yet, any legitimate criticism of Kerrys post-war record is discredited as a "personal" attack or an attack again! st his service.
John Kerry is quick to surround himself with a handful of veterans and claims overwhelming support from the veteran community. He ignores, however, the wounds he inflicted on millions of veterans, and he refuses to sign a waiver to release his military personal records and medical records. This is the portrait of a man who has failed to comes to terms with his treacherous past.
I, Dexter Lehtinen, paid for this ad personally, without any connection to other individuals or groups, because I want the public to know what John Kerry did to our Vietnam veterans.
Dexter Lehtinen
7700 S. W. 88th St., Ste. 303 Miami, FL 33156
Join the rally on Sunday, September 12th to Expose John Kerrys Lies About Vietnam Vets. Hear from Vietnam Vets, POWs, B. G. Burkett (auth or of Stolen Valor), and others. _________________ _________________ Viet Nam vet and PROUD!
Darned straight they are. Good for us! I sent them a little money to keep them in business. I believe they have a right to be heard!
C'mon, now, the man did not serve on Kerry's boat! He can't know! C'mon, get with the pogrom!
That is where my campaign contributions are going as well.
Lehtinin's talk was superb! And so powerful. His ad in Army Times is bound to do enormous good. Bless him!
BTTT
Message from Iraq
The proud warriors of Baker Company wanted to do something to pay tribute To our fallen comrades. So since we are part of the only Marine Infantry Battalion left in Iraq the one way that we could think of doing that is By taking a picture of Baker Company saying the way we feel. It would be awesome if you could find a way to share this with our fellow countrymen. I was wondering if there was any way to get this into your papers to let the world know that "WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN" and are proud to serve our country." Semper Fi 1stSgt Dave Jobe
http://www.republicansabroad-spain.org/newsevents/Irak.html
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