Hardin swift boat veteran questions Kerry’s version

Lima News ^ | 02 October 2004 | BOB BLAKE

[Deadeye Division]

Hardin swift boat veteran questions Kerry’s version

By BOB BLAKE

419-993-2077

bblake@limanews.com

LIMA — When Richard Pees served in the U.S. Navy some 35 years ago as the skipper on a swift boat in Vietnam, he had no idea that events transpiring around his boat would land him in the middle of presidential politics.

But, Pees, a rural Ada resident, and Sen. John Kerry, the Democratic candidate for president, have differing recollections of an incident on March 13, 1969 — an incident that landed Kerry praise and medals and which Pees cites as part of the reason Kerry is unfit to lead.

Pees and Kerry were at the command of swift boats leading a patrol along the Bay Hap River looking to cut off shipments of supplies to enemy troops. A mine exploded under Pees’ boat, blowing the 50-foot long ship out of the water briefly and prompting sailors on nearby boats to open fire on the banks to suppress potential enemy positions.

“The key issue became was there any enemy fire,” Pees, a member of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, said of a discussion at a gathering of swift boat veterans this summer. “None of us recall that at all. We were all quite certain there was no enemy fire at all. The only enemy action was the mine that went off under my boat.”

Pees said Kerry’s story about rescuing a fellow sailor under enemy fire as well as his Congressional testimony following his return from Vietnam in which he laid out alleged U.S. military atrocities are the impetus for the swift boat group’s effort.

Pees concedes that Kerry rescued Lt. Jim Rassman from the waters of the river, but said the rescue came after the mine explosion near his swift boat and in the absence of enemy fire.

“The essence of the group’s message is Kerry is really unfit to be commander-in-chief of our Armed Forces,” Pees said. “And, he’s unfit because he cannot be trusted. The group’s primary concern was not the medals. The primary objection of all of the people in the group was that Kerry so distorted the truth in his testimony to Congress and vilified all Vietnam veterans. That’s the core of the disgust with Kerry is the fact he would so willingly make those statements for his own political gain.”

The issue is relevant to the election, Pees said, because Kerry has made his service in Vietnam a large part of his campaign.

“In the debate (Thursday) night he made a statement about having to separate the war from the warriors,” Pees said. “It just struck me as so hypocritical of him. They fought that whole anti-war battle by denigrating the troops on the ground. If you didn’t know any history of John Kerry and didn’t know any history of the United States and didn’t know his voting record you would have thought this guy would be a pretty forceful commander-in-chief.”

[brityank]

Ping

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

HANOI KERRY
CLICK HERE TO SIGN FORM 180

BUSH DID

WHAT ARE YOU HIDING?
WHAT IS YOUR SECRET?
WHAT DON'T YOU WANT
AMERICA AND THE PRESS TO KNOW?

Free online version of
Kerry's "The New Soldier"
You can read it online right now.

[Smartass]

[afnamvet]

Thanks for the ping. I am getting excited about the "October Surprise" from the swifties for POS Kerry...anybody else?

[laurenmarlowe]

Thanks for the ping Tonk!

[Barlowmaker]

BTT mansky Tonk.

Thanks for the pings. I read 'em all.

[Chode]

pong...

[igoramus987]

Ping

[boxerblues]

I am getting excited about the "October Surprise" from the swifties for POS Kerry...anybody else?

word is slowly spreading about Kerry vs the SBV. I finally got around to convincing hubby that the sticker I got from freeper chieftain will come off my truck window. I drove around all day today ..lots of horn honks & thumbs up and only 2 who felt the need to exercise their middle fingers.

[afnamvet]

.....who felt the need to exercise their middle fingers.

Not to worry, they were only expressing their IQ.

[boxerblues]

lol...

[CONSERVE]

ping

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[potlatch]

That picture of Kerry always cracks me up!!

[Smartass]

"Hanoi John's" statement that he will defend the country as president belies a 30+ year track record to the contrary.   Nobody can overcome that legacy in 90 minutes.

Kerry came close to pulling off a masterful performance of pure deception.   However, his phony shield came off near the end. Sensing that he was winning the debate with the President on points, he went for the knockout and instead exposed himself with the "Global Test" BS.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!!

[E.G.C.]

BTT!!!!!!

[Happy2BMe]

The ultimate John kerry Ad(Click the above link - Thanks to Tigereye and Ernest at the Beach)

The ultimate John kerry Ad(Click the above link - Thanks to Tigereye and Ernest at the Beach)