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Scott, back then, during the draft, the well-to-do did pull strings, especially to get into over manned guard units. Most of the National Guard units had waiting lists. Troops were to scared to miss drills because they knew they could be replaced. I believe Bush served out his obligation, but not in the way he should have. Bush, like Kerry, did serve under honorable conditions. My problems with Kerry is with how he did after he completed his Vietnam tour.
In 1992 the democrats raised up a stink when the true story was uncovered how Clinton used the ROTC program as a back-up plan to get out of the draft. When he realized that his lottery number would never be called up, he backed out of an agreement to join the ROTC stating it did not fit into his plans. The democrats argued then that a persons military record, or lack of one , should not matter in the presidential race. Now they want to make it an issue.
My problem with Kerry is him using his military record now, when it benefits him. After his tour in Vietnam Kerry became ashamed of his service. In 1970, while I was with the 101st Airborne in the I Corps of Vietnam, Kerry was involved in the Vietnam Veterans Against the War. On Labor Day weekend 1970, Kerry was at a war protest rally at a V.V.A.W. at Valley Forge, Pa., with no other than Jane Fonda. The V.V.A.W actually encouraged soldiers to desert and to frag their officers. If you don't know what that means, it is killing your officers with a grenade. Yes fraggings did happen in Vietnam. Just like what happened in Kuwait just before we entered Iraq last year when one soldier tossed a grenade in a officers tent, killing several. North Vietnam Army General Vo Nguyen Giap stated that the actions of groups like the V. V. A. W. encouraged the North Vietnamese on to victory. They enjoyed the turmoil in America while we had troops there. The same thing is beginning now. We have troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and who knows where else, where, on average, one is killed every day. Our troops see CNN, FOX and the network news.They read the newspapers. They see where we are beginning to divide ourselves on this issue. Those men and women just want to serve their time under honorable conditions, complete the mission and return home alive and not in a flag draped box. Ask Mrs Singleton how she feels everyday with two sons in Iraq. Ask her how she reacts when she hears the news about a soldier being killed or wounded where her sons are. Ask Charles' wife the same. Ask Mr. Rowser the same about how he feels on the news where one son is in Afghanistan and the other in Iraq. There are others here in Marengo County in the same situation. The only reason we don't have rioting and nationwide protests now as during the Vietnam War is there is we do not have a draft. Everyone in the military today, Active Duty, National Guard or Reserves all voluntered to be there. Our troops in Vietnam did not loose that war, the polititians and the protesters like Kerry did. Lets not self-distruct now and defeat ourselves again. What Kerry did was a lot worse than what Bush is accused of doing.
NO I can't vote for Kerry, not completely happy with Bush, but will vote to reelect him if it comes down to Bush vs Kerry.
These comments are my own and does not represent those of any veterans organizations I am a member of. Veteran organizations cannot by charter, and does not, endorse candidates or political parties.
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