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As one of those VietNam Veterans who adamantly oppose Kerry, I can say that for myself, at least, that it is the result of a visceral dislike which wells up when memories come back of some (only a few) officers who viewed the war as a means for personal gain, whether financial or, as in Kerry's case, political.

These "men" (and I stress, I only had the misfortune to meet a very few) who put their personal objectives before their mission, invariably put their soldiers at risk, rather than themselves. Behind the brass and the undeserved medals, there was only a coward. When one hears Kerry's prevarications on every issue he is faced with, and views the pattern of his life, that gut instinct tells us that we're dealing with one of those who should never have worn the uniform in the first place, and the SWB Vets' story rings true.

I am not a hero, merely an ex-GI who had the honor of serving with men who were.