for all of the links on "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal". It took some time, but I used everyone of them (specially the Advertisers)to send the following letter/email.
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am a Decorated Navy Veteran, 1978-1988 active duty. It occurs to me it has become popular sport to smear veterans that have distinguished themselves in times of valor. Who have also chosen to continue to serve our country as elected representatives of 'We the People". These tactics serve no one honorably; they only call into question the validity of the military awards system. It questions any vet who has ever earned an award, it makes people skeptical and places doubt in their minds. So when someone like me displays them, they have a subconscious reaction to ask me if they mean anything!
This tactic was used against the Honorable John McCain, a hero's hero, when he ran in the 2000 primaries. Stories surfaced about his loyalty while in Hanoi as a POW, that was an all time low in politics. Did anyone bother to talk about his history on board the USS Forestal, how he survived the biggest disaster on aboard an aircraft carrier in Naval History. He was then given the option to go home, but he chose to stay and serve. It was after that when he "intercepted a surface to air missile with his plane" and after surviving that was captured. As far as his time in Hanoi, very few people actually know what it is like in a Vietnamese POW camp and try to survive. No matter what happened in Hanoi, one thing is for sure; at least he chose to be there!
You can add Senator Max Cleland to that smear list, guess what, at least he was there. He was not flying the friendly skies of Texas or hiding behind some deferment, if he had been, then he would probably still have all of his limbs!
Now we see the trashing of John Kerry's honorable service in Vietnam, again, one thing is for sure, he was in Vietnam, and there by choice!
I see a reoccurring theme in all of this; maybe the US Congress needs to review their awards criteria, certainly decorations must be handed out like candy. I will keep that in mind when I look at my Naval Expeditionary Forces medal (Beirut "83") or my National Defense medal, Sea Service deployment ribbon, Naval Enlisted Aircrewman Wings or any of the other four worthless pieces junk that they gave me.
The Sinclair Broadcasting Group should be ashamed for allowing itself to be used in this disgusting tactic. This is no way for a public broadcast company to act and should withdraw the offer to run "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal". Not simply because they have opined that Kerry does not deserve these awards, but mainly because this is a purely political advertisement, and is being donated valuable airspace by The Sinclair Broadcasting Group.
Even to most novices on such matters, most would be of the opinion that there has to be FEC conflicts here. It is could easily be perceived as a campaign contribution to a political party, not to mention clearly a partisan advertisement.
I am one Vet who stands behind all Veterans that have received military awards, regardless of political party affiliations, that includes George Herbert Walker Bush for honorable service in WWII. This type of slander needs to stop, regardless of who is being attacked.
Please do not allow any further degradation to the military awards system, that’s all some of us have. We are not wealthy, we enjoy a humble existence, content with the knowledge that our value to America is not with material wealth, rather, it is in our distinguished service to our nation. The only thing that we have to show for this when we grow old, are our medals.
To someone who has never served or been in combat, this may seem trivial, however there are many vets like myself who feel that all our awards are being cheapened by these attacks. I beg you to stop these attacks on politicians who have SERVED our nation in combat.
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
