So that Great American War Hero, John "I put myself in for the medals" Kerry thinks that only losers join the American Military and that if you don't study hard, you'll wind up just another loser in Iraq.
OK, he doesn't want those who didn't serve in the military commenting so this 29 year veteran of both the Navy and Naval Reserve, who counts the Viet Nam medal among his decorations, who retired as a Senior Chief, and who graduated from Northwestern University and Nassau Community College [cum laude] takes exception to those comments.
I volunteered originally in 1964, to become both an Electrical Engineer and a Navy Officer. Silly me, I thought I could handle Calculus and wound up in the electronic intel biz in the Navy.
I actually was plopped down in An Thoi in 1969, just one mile down river from where then Lt. John Kerry earned all those purple hearts and other "gongs." As a Cryptologist, I was worth over 10 grand in gold to any Viet Cong who could get me north, but the area was so secure that we were left on the runway to fend for ourselves.
And Kerry earned what operating out of the An Thoi "free fire zone" in 1969?
Now something else I know a lot about - when I left the active Navy in Octdober 1970, I joined the Naval Reserve. When I retired I was the Senior Enlisted Advisor of the Unit at NOSIC in Suitland Maryland, part of the ONI.
I'd spent my 3 years 8 1/2 months on active duty and was actually free to just go home. But I had advanced to CTR1 - an E-6, and figured that the reserve would be a good place to pick up a few extra bucks while back in college. I agreed to drill, and completed a total of 29 years back in 1993.
Here's what I don't understand about Mr. War Hero Kerry.
Why is his Honorable Discharge dated more than 6 years after he left active duty?
Was it because this "90 day wonder" junior officer didn't bother to completely fulfill his legal 6 year obligation when he jumped ship in Staten Island back in 1970? Work the time line - OCS officers usually served 4 years active. Kerry was barely on active duty for 3, at least that's what I remember from the 2004 campaign.
Maybe Mr. Kerry's impressions of those in the military are colored by his experience, or maybe by the reactions of the Swift Boat guys when he tried to become president, touting his "war record."
But maybe Mr. Kerry's comments were what he actually feels about his fellow sailors.
There are people who think he should be part of the Senatorial Majority?
