John Kerry has gone out of his way to make his service inVietnam a key issue in potential voters' minds this November 2nd.Even at the Democratic National Convention, Kerry brought along menthat served with him and support his candidacy. After hisintroduction at the convention he saluted the crowd and said "I'mJohn Kerry, and I'm reporting for duty." Now, however, another sideto Senator Kerry's service record has come out.
Recently the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth," a group thatclaims a membership of over 250 Vietnam veterans from everypolitical persuasion, has come forward with information that puts adifferent light on Senator Kerry's war record. One member of the"Swift Boat Veterans for Truth," Louis Letson admits that hetreated John Kerry's wounds for the first of his three PurpleHearts. Letson says that his wounds were self-inflicted and didnot, by his judgment, warrant such an award. Purple Hearts aretraditionally awarded to soldiers when their wounds are received"in action with an enemy" and "necessitate treatment by a medicalofficer." In this case Letson confirms that there had been no enemyfire on the night of Kerry's wound. "Kerry had simply woundedhimself with an M-79 grenade round he fired too close."
Another member of the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth," Van Odellhas stated that Kerry's bronze star, which was awarded for rescuingJim Rassman under fire, was also a farce. Odell and seven othereye-witnesses have argued that the reports supporting Kerry's claimare incorrect. Odell says that during Kerry's "rescue" no fire wasreceived "from either bank." Odell also points out that the reportsthat Kerry cites to support his claims were written by Kerryhimself. Further, Rassman points out that Kerry's story has supportof only seven of the Vietnam veterans that served with him.Interestingly enough, Odell also says that "the 7 who support theSenator are on his payroll."
The "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" website points out that JohnKerry has used a photograph of twenty Swift boat commanders in histelevised campaign ads to tout support from his "band of brothers."Out of the twenty men in that photo only three, besides Kerryhimself, support his accounts of his war record and twelve believehe is unfit to be the President.
Since the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" ads have aired, a newGallup poll has found that Kerry's unfavorable opinion percent rose3-5 percentage points to 40% and his favorable opinion rating isnow 52% to Bush's 54%. Kerry's previous unfavorable rating high wasat 37% in July.
It goes without saying that the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth"organization is having an impact on the presidential race. Ofcourse, why shouldn't they when 60 Vietnam veterans that servedwith John Kerry, during his time of service, argue that he hasmisrepresented his accomplishments and the events that took placeduring his four months there?
Again, Kerry has chosen to make his Vietnam record a centralissue in his presidential campaign. When that record displays lyingand manipulation of the system in order to acquire metals that werenot justified, it does not bode well for his chances. The questionis, who do you believe? Do you believe presidential challenger JohnKerry and his seven war buddies, or do you believe over 60 Vietnamveterans who believe Kerry's accounts are fabrications?
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