Posted on 10/04/2004 6:45:49 PM PDT by GeekDejure
Dear Joe:
The major issue in the Swiftboat stories is, and always has been, what John Kerry did in 1971 after he returned from Vietnam. Kerry cast a long dark shadow over all Vietnam Veterans with his outright perjury before the Senate concerning atrocities in Vietnam. His stories to the Senate committee were absolute lies..fabrications..perjury..fantasies, with NO substance. That dark shadow has defamed the entire Vietnam War veteran population, and gave "Aid and Comfort" to our enemies..the Vietnamese Communists. Kerry's stories were outright fabrications, and were intended for political gain with the radical left..McGovern, Teddy and Bobby Kennedy followers, Jane Fonda, Tom Hayden, and the radical left who fantasized that George McGovern was going to be elected in 1972. Little wonder that returning soldiers from Vietnam were spit upon and castigated as "baby killers".
A returned war hero said so. Kerry cut a dashing figure as a war hero, lots of medals, and returned home because of multiple war wounds..even a silver star. His Senate testimony confirmed what every hippie had been chanting on the streets.."Hey hey LBJ..How many kids did you kill today"????? He obviously was running for political office in 1971.
Until Lt. John O' Neil, himself a Swifboat commander, spoke out before the 1972 elections against Kerry's outright deceptions, there was no one from the Swiftboat scene that could contradict Kerry's self serving lies.
I was a POW of the Vietnamese in Hanoi in 1971, and I am aware that the testimony of John Kerry, the actions of Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden, and the radical left; all caused the commies to conclude that if they hung on, they would win North Vietnamese General Bui Tin commented that every day the Communist leadership listened to world news over the radio to follow the growth of the anti-war movement. Visits to Hanoi by Jane Fonda and Ramsey Clark gave them confidence to hold in the face of battlefield reverses. The guts of it was that propaganda from the anti-war group was part of their combat strategy.
While the Commies were hanging on, innumerable U.S. Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Air Force members were being killed in combat. Every battle wound to Americans after Kerry's misdirected testimony is related to Kerry's untruthfulness. John Kerry contributed to every one of these deaths with his lies about U.S. atrocities in Vietnam. He likewise defamed the U.S. with our allies and supporters. His conduct also extended the imprisonment of the Vietnam Prisoners of War, of which I was one. I am certain of at least one POW death after his testimony, which might have been prevented with an earlier release of the POWs.
My friend and room mate Senator John S. McCain denounced the Swiftboat video by John O'Neil. I have a different take on the Swiftboat tape and disagree with my good friend John.
John Kerry opened up his character as a war hero reporting for duty to the country with a hand salute...and his band of brothers..of which he was the chief hero. Most of his convention speech was about John Kerry..Vietnam hero, and his band of brothers. John Kerry's character is not only fair game, it is the primary issue. He wants to use Bill Clinton's "is", as an answer to his lack of character.
The issue is trust. Can anyone trust John Kerry?? "Never lie, cheat or steal" is the West Point motto. When a witness perjures himself at trial, the judge notes that his testimony lacks credibility. Should we elect a known proven liar to lead us in wartime??
I draw a direct comparison of General Benedict Arnold of the Revolutionary War, to Lieutenant John Kerry. Both went off to war, fought, and then turned against their country. General Arnold crossed over to the British for money and position. John Kerry crossed over to the Vietnamese with his assistance to the anti-war movement, and his direct liaison with the Vietnamese diplomats in Paris. His reward. Political gain. Senator..United States. His record as a Senator for twenty years has been pitiful. Conjure up, if you will, one major bill that he has sponsored.
John Kerry for President? Ridiculous. Unthinkable. Unbelievable. Outrageous.
Col. Geo. "Bud" Day, Medal of Honor, Vietnam POW 1967- 1973, USMC- USA- USAF- Attorney 1949-2004
Lots of facts and quotes about the president-wannabe at the John F. Kerry Timeline.
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Read his book, Return with Honor and I defy you not to break down in tears.
Kerry should be shamed before the American people.
Thanks for posting this. I'm glad that a credible witness finally countered McCain.
Thank God that in every conflict, men of immeasurable courage arise to take their places in Harm's Way. Thank God for men like Col. Day.
save for later
Thanks so much for posting this letter. I am printing it out and will hand it to anyone that asks me " Why do you have that 'Swiftboats' Sticker on your car?
Col. Day's letter should easily answer that question !
. My name is JOhnKERry and I approve this message !!!
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I met Bud in 1980 when my very good friend Ken Cordier (Swift Boat Vet Ad #2) was in Ft Walton Beach for a divorce. Bud was his atty and Ken introduced us....great guy....and one of my all time heroes. People need to listen to Bud - he's a true American hero - something sKerry is NOT!
my dad considers bud a true hero...when DoD (under the Clinton Adminstration) was trying to screw retired vets out of life time medical care it was Bud who filed a class action suit and fought like hell to keep the PROMISED life time medical care. My dad was walking in cottage hill park (mobile al) one morning and Sen Sessions ran by...he saw my dad (who he's known since he was right out of law school and a "baby" asst us atty) and stopped to talk to him....dad told him about Bud's lawsuit and how they were trying to screw the vets out of lifetime medical care. jeff told dad that he would take care of it and thanked him for keeping him informed. so not only is Bud my hero, but my dad, because he had the balls to inform a us senator, is also my hero!
"Return with Honor" is the film. Bud's book is "Duty, Honor, Country." Go to his website to order.
Bump.
"Return with Honor" is the original title of his book. I know because I have it in my personal library.
About ten years ago, little Capt Scott O'Grady titled his book about his 3 days on the ground in Bosnia with the exact same title of Colonel Day's book regarding his 7 years of hell in Hanoi.
Colonel Day may have decided it was best to change the title to disassociate himself with O'Grady.
I'd be glad to read his book - but at $105 used on Amazon I think I'll have to wait...
Used to work with his son - a real good guy.
Glad to hear you worked with Bud's son. Colonel Day has also done a tremendous amount of legal work for military members. The guy is a powerhouse.
Didn't know that--thanks. It's published at the moment as "Duty, Honor, Country." But that DOES happen often. Nick Rowe's book, "Five Years to Freedom," was at one time announced as "Escape from Oblivion." Took me MONTHS to find the book under the eventual title.
People like you and Leo Thorsness have placed your lives on the line for this country which can never be fully repaid. So too is the injuries that have been done to this country's heroes and vets by the actions of people like John Kerry and their ilk. Where was John Kerry's outrage over the atrocities committed by the communists in South Vietnam?
An Army Vietnam veteran recently said, "When John Kerry loses, it will be the parade we never had." May I add that IF John Kerry wins in November, the world goes on. But, if he loses, so too does all the communist lies that were ever levied against honest Americans who so proudly served this country.
Let freedom ring.
Old Patriot
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