Kerry tells vets Bush has 'betrayed' them

[Feanorcurufinwe]

"The president has walked away from his obligations to veterans in this country," he said to sympathetic applause. "George Bush's priorities are different from that of average Americans."

Kerry said 2,100 disabled Iowa veterans miss out on benefits each year because money received in disability compensation is taken out of their retirement checks.

Iowa veterans lose $11 million in benefits annually because of disability reductions as large as 27 percent from their retirement checks, according to veterans groups.

"We are going to remember that the greatest definition of patriotism of all is keeping faith with those who wore the uniform of this country," Kerry said.

The four-term senator from Massachusetts was awarded a Silver Star and three Purple Hearts for his service during two tours of duty in Vietnam as a Navy lieutenant.

He also co-founded Vietnam Veterans of America. According to the campaign, 1,026 Iowa veterans have pledged support to the campaign.

Kerry's stop in Iowa City was his last event during a six-stop bus tour across Iowa with area veterans.

"I can relate with Kerry. He spoke out against the Vietnam War when he was 27, and he's still doing it now," said Ray Bagg, an army veteran from Des Moines.

"I respect the General (Wesley Clark), but he's not Kerry."
http://www.dailyiowan.com/news/554266.html

[NewYorkerfromMass]

1. Support from these vets

counts for a lot in a caucus.

[sandnsea]

2. Fighting the fight for over 30 years

Not just for veteran's, but for all of us. He hasn't followed, he has led, he's been at the front of the fight every single time. For women, minorities, gays, children, cops, firemen, unions, everyone.

We have a chance to do some enormous good in the world people. Will you be kicking yourself in a couple of years because you didn't take the opportunity when you had it? Those people who have said John Kerry would be the best President, but aren't in his camp, need to pony up. He can't do this alone.

[curse10]

3. Kerry has always had a strong support base from Veterans

It's a huge plus and I think it plays well in the primaries and in general elections

[knaveree]

4. I would love to see Kerry visit Iraq wounded vets

Since Bush and his pals are ignoring these men and women, I think the Senator should barge into Walter Reed and ask when Bush is going to show up. Heck, all the Democratic candidates should do it.

[Pez]

7. kerry made a big stink about the wounded iraq vets...

...who weren't receiving treatment, and forced those jackholes in washington to treat them properly. he introduced legislation around june for not only veterans of iraq, but all the other vets bush has betrayed. he's been fighting for vets for over 30 years... kerry's no slacker!

[Feanorcurufinwe]

5. Kerry's letter to veterans

Dear Fellow Veteran,

We share a bond that can never be broken. We served in our armed services out of a sense of duty to our country and because of a deep, underlying belief in the values that make us so proud to be Americans. As a veteran, I hold a deep respect for the service and dedication of all the men and women who have worn the uniform of our nation.

I have tried, in all those years since I returned from Vietnam, to turn that respect into action -- to stand up to special interests and protect the national interest, to remind politicians that the first definition of patriotism is how a grateful nation treats its veterans.

Together, we stood up with John McCain and forced our own government to help give peace of mind to thousands of families through an accounting of missing POW/MIAs in Vietnam. We have battled at every opportunity to protect and expand VA medical benefits (and when over 235,000 fellow vets wait as much as six months to see a doctor at the VA today, we know our fight has just begun.)

We've fought for fair and equitable treatment for those with illnesses related to Agent Orange and the Gulf War. We continue to press for equitable pay and retirement benefits and health care. And now, with our soldiers engaged in active combat again, we fight for their rights -- beginning by making it clear to this Administration that likes to talk about patriotism, that there is nothing patriotic about charging our injured soldiers for the meals they eat in our hospitals while recovering the wounds they suffered protecting our freedom.

And it's time we right a great injustice against America's disabled veterans by providing full concurrent receipt of disability pay and pensions -- promises made should always be promises kept.

We need to rally behind our men and women on active duty today, particularly those serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. Bold leadership in the White House can bring together a true coalition of support for our soldiers, enabling us to win the victory and bring our men and women home with heads held high and mission accomplished in actions, not just the words of politicians.

If you feel as I do, that we need experienced leadership in the White House, leadership that will bring our allies back to our side with real and not token support, leadership with a vision for national service, I need your help to make it happen. I need your support, your endorsement, and most of all, your vote as we attempt to place the leadership of our country back in more the hands of someone with a lifetime commitment to veterans.

In all our struggles, it's vets who have fought for vets -- and I hope you will help put a Veterans' Veteran in the White House who will get up every day and fight for our brothers and sisters in arms. Fellow veterans, please join me in this battle.

I wish all of you, and your families, a most blessed Veteran's Day. Let us never forget those men and women who have lost their lives in service to our country. We owe them more than we can ever express.

Warm Regards,
John Kerry
http://www.johnkerry.com/communities/veterans/letter2.html

[JI7]

6. kerry would know

being a veteran himself he knows what a disgusting fraud bush is.