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SwiftVets.com
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rbshirley
Founder
Joined: 07 May 2004
Posts: 394
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 Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 9:51 am Post subject: What this site is all about |
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....... Swift Boat Veteran's Display at "The Wall" in Washington DC .......
................ He will be there every weekend until November ....................
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Last edited by rbshirley on Sat Aug 21, 2004 6:37 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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waltjones
PO2
Joined: 11 May 2004
Posts: 392
Location: 'bout 40 miles north of Seattle
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| Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 3:58 pm Post subject: |
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Outstanding!
Semper Fi!
_________________
Walt Jones (USMC, '65 - '69) It says much about the person who defends a man with no honor. |
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Me#1You#10
Site Admin
Joined: 06 May 2004
Posts: 6503
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| Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 4:01 pm Post subject: |
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RB...I'm planning on traveling to DC for the Vet's rally on Sept 12.
The first item on my agenda will be a visit to the wall to shake your hand.
We would all do well to emulate even a fraction of your enthusiasm and dedication to our common cause.
I salute you.
Last edited by Me#1You#10 on Wed Jun 16, 2004 4:08 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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War Dog
Captain
Joined: 10 May 2004
Posts: 517
Location: Below Birmingham Alabama
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| Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 4:05 pm Post subject: |
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I'm going to try and make it September 12th, but it looks in doubt. Just one month later on October 15-17th is the Vietnam Dog Handlers Association Reunion in Phoenix, AZ. Money is tight, and I can't make both unless I come into a lot of money, or win the lotto, of which we have none here in Alabama. 
Woof!
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"When people are in trouble, they call the cops.
When cops need help, they call the K-9 unit." |
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rbshirley
Founder
Joined: 07 May 2004
Posts: 394
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| Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 4:24 pm Post subject: |
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| Me#1You#10 wrote: | The first item on my agenda will be a visit to the wall to shake your hand.
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Thanks for the kind words. How-some-ever ...
Actually, the Swift Boat sailor to thank for the display is Tony Snesko. You
might drop him an email of encouragment in addition to going by The Wall
if / when you make it to DC.
Tony Snesko's email address: SneskoBM2@aol.com
Also ... the real hero is Bill Lupetti, who discovered and took the pictures
in the "War Crimes Museum" in HCM City. We are hoping that he makes
it out and back to the US safely.
Me ... just a common ole Swiftie that was apolitical for 35 years until ....
.
Last edited by rbshirley on Thu Jun 17, 2004 1:52 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Me#1You#10
Site Admin
Joined: 06 May 2004
Posts: 6503
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| Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 4:29 pm Post subject: |
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| rbshirley wrote: |
Actually, the Swift Boat sailor to thank for the display is Tony Snesko. You
might drop him an email of encouragment in addition to going by The Wall
if / when you make it to DC. |
Thanks for the clarification, so I'll shake yours right after I let go of Tony's 
Nevertheless, thanks for your very salient post and info |
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DougReese
Former Member
Joined: 22 May 2004
Posts: 396
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| Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 11:37 am Post subject: |
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| rbshirley wrote: | Also ... the real hero is Bill Lupetti, who discovered and took the pictures in the "War Crimes Museum" in HCM City. We are hoping that he makes it out and back to the US safely.
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Why wouldn't he? Everybody else does.
Doug |
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rbshirley
Founder
Joined: 07 May 2004
Posts: 394
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| Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 1:52 pm Post subject: |
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| DougReese wrote: | | Why wouldn't he? Everybody else does. |
My wife's father did not. Along with thousands of others in the post war
"re-education" camps. Kerry said there would only be a few affected.
And my son-in-law experienced "just a little bit of trouble" doing so as
part of the thousands of "boat people" escaping when he was a child.
And, although not my issue, there are a few MIA families that might take
exception to your remark. The ultimate fate of all POWs is also unkown
. |
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DougReese
Former Member
Joined: 22 May 2004
Posts: 396
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| Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 2:39 pm Post subject: |
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| rbshirley wrote: | | DougReese wrote: | | Why wouldn't he? Everybody else does. |
My wife's father did not. Along with thousands of others in the post war
"re-education" camps. Kerry said there would only be a few affected.
And my son-in-law experienced "just a little bit of trouble" doing so as
part of the thousands of "boat people" escaping when he was a child.
And, although not my issue, there are a few MIA families that might take
exception to your remark. The ultimate fate of all POWs is also unkown
. |
I was referring to tourists, which is what I assume Bill is. Either that or a business person. Tourists don't have touble getting out. I wasn't referring to 10-20+ years ago. I am acutely aware of what went on back then.
And as for the MIA/POW's, unfortunately, they are all dead. My remark did not have even a remote connection to them.
Doug |
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redhawk34
Seaman Apprentice
Joined: 19 May 2004
Posts: 83
Location: Joisey, Ya gotta Problem Wit Dat?
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| Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 3:09 pm Post subject: |
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I don't know about getting out of the country, but they will NEVER get me into it while the present regime is in power.
Yellow field.
Red stripes.
'Nuff said.
Redhawk |
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coldwarvet
Admiral
Joined: 03 Jun 2004
Posts: 1125
Location: Minnetonka, MN
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| Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 10:23 pm Post subject: Do you want to debate? Or just bash the commander & chie |
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| redhawk34 wrote: | I don't know about getting out of the country, but they will NEVER get me into it while the present regime is in power.
Yellow field.
Red stripes.
'Nuff said.
Redhawk |
Welcome aboard Redhawk, if you want to be honest critical thinker. We are unlike the Kerry Debunker site where when the arguments become difficult to debate the authors get expelled and their posts get censured. The 1971 VVAW “Free Speech” “Free Speech” chants no longer apply in today’s world based on Kerry’s actions. However name calling and unsupported statements will find your way to the nearest exit.
Oh by the way this side of the board is reserved for veterans. Please share a little bit of your military background with us.
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Defender of the honor of those in harms way keeping us out of harms way.
"Peace is our Profession"
Strategic Air Command - Motto
USAF 75-79 Security Police |
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coldwarvet
Admiral
Joined: 03 Jun 2004
Posts: 1125
Location: Minnetonka, MN
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| Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 11:39 pm Post subject: Redhawk please accept my apology. I got lazy. |
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| redhawk34 wrote: | I don't know about getting out of the country, but they will NEVER get me into it while the present regime is in power.
Yellow field.
Red stripes.
'Nuff said.
Redhawk |
Please accept my apology
I should have read your previous posts before my reply. I miss understood your sarcasm.
_________________
Defender of the honor of those in harms way keeping us out of harms way.
"Peace is our Profession"
Strategic Air Command - Motto
USAF 75-79 Security Police |
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redhawk34
Seaman Apprentice
Joined: 19 May 2004
Posts: 83
Location: Joisey, Ya gotta Problem Wit Dat?
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| Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 3:33 pm Post subject: |
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"Please accept my apology "
None needed.
Welcome Home.
Redhawk |
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Theresa Alwood
Rear Admiral
Joined: 05 Jun 2004
Posts: 631
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 2:05 am Post subject: |
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| I just got back from a trip to DC (wish I had more time as it was a trip for my daughter's 8th grade school trip in which we went to DC, NYC and Philly)....we went to the wall and I was awestruck. Brought tears to my eyes...wish I had known you were going to be there RB because I would have definately came up and introduced myself and shook the hand of a real american hero...I know that sounds corny but I as I am not a Vietnam vet and only served during time of peace I can try to understand just a fraction of what you men and women sacrficed so much for those of us who served after. I do understand the sacrifies you and your families made. May God continue to bless the brave men and women who have served and who are serving this great country of ours. I am always proud to be an American. |
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rbshirley
Founder
Joined: 07 May 2004
Posts: 394
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| Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Theresa Alwood wrote: | May God continue to bless the brave men and women who have served
and who are serving this great country of ours. I am always proud to be
an American. |
It is perhaps worthwhile, in this thread telling what this site is all about, to
repeat the individual thoughts of Swift Boat sailors that served with and at
the same as John Kerry ... as presented at the May 4 news conference.
By the way, this complilation is taken directly from an email sent out to
over sixty addressees by an individual not related to the SBVFT or any
other interested organization. Simply an individual that took the time to
compile the statements and forward it to people wishing to hear some
things more substantial than the overpowering cacaphony in the media.
The truth is begining to be heard!
.............................. Swift Boat Quotes about John Kerry ..............................
"We resent very deeply the false war crimes charges he made coming
back from Vietnam in 1971 and repeated in the book "Tour of Duty." We
think those cast an aspersion on all those living and dead, from our unit
and other units in Vietnam. We think that he knew he was lying when he
made the charges, and we think that they're unsupportable. We intend to
bring the truth about that to the American people. We believe, based on
our experience with him, that he is totally unfit to be Commander-in-Chief."
-- John O'Neill, spokesman,
-- Swift Boat Veterans for Truth
............................................  ............................................
"I do not believe John Kerry is fit to be Commander-in-Chief of the armed
forces of the United States. This is not a political issue. It is a matter of his
judgment, truthfulness, reliability, loyalty and trust -- all absolute tenets of
command. His biography, 'Tour of Duty,' by Douglas Brinkley, is replete
with gross exaggerations, distortions of fact, contradictions and slanderous
lies. His contempt for the military and authority is evident by even a most
casual review of this biography. He arrived in-country with a strong anti
Vietnam War bias and a self-serving determination to build a foundation
for his political future. In an abbreviated tour of four months and 12 days,
with his awards secure, Lt.(jg) Kerry bugged out and began his infamous
betrayal of all United States forces in the Vietnam War.
That included our soldiers, our marines, our sailors, our coast guardsmen,
our airmen, and our POWs. His leadership within the so-called Vietnam
Veterans Against the War and testimony before Congress in 1971 charging
us with unspeakable atrocities remain an undocumented but nevertheless
meticulous stain on the men and women who honorably stayed the course.
Senator Kerry is not fit for command."
-- Rear Admiral Roy Hoffman, USN (retired),
-- Chairman, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth
............................................  ............................................
"I signed that letter because I, too felt a deep sense of betrayal that
someone who took the same oath of loyalty as I did as an officer in the
United States Navy would abandon his group here (points to group photo)
to join this group here (points to VVAW protest photo), and come home
and attempt to rally the American public against the effort that this group
was so valiantly pursuing. It is a fact that in the entire Vietnam War we did
not lose one major battle. We lost the war at home ... and at home, John
Kerry was the Field General."
-- Robert Elder, Swift Boat OinC
............................................  ............................................
"During Lt.(jg) Kerry's tour, he was under my command for two or three
specific operations, before his rapid exit. Trust, loyalty and judgment are
the key, operative words. His turncoat performance in 1971 in his grubby
shirt and his medal-tossing escapade, coupled with his slanderous lies in
the recent book portraying those of us that served, including all POWs and
MIAs, as murderous war criminals will have, I believe, a lasting effect on
all military veterans and their families.
-- Captain Charles Plumly, USN (retired)
............................................  ............................................
"Thirty-five years ago, many of us fell silent when we came back to the
stain of sewage that Mr. Kerry had thrown on us, and all of our colleagues
who served over there. I don't intend to be silent today or ever again.
Young men and women who are serving today deserve no less."
-- Andrew Horne, Swift Boat OinC
............................................  ............................................
"In my specific, personal experience in both coastal and river patrols over
a 12-month period, I never once saw or heard anything remotely similar to
the atrocities described by Senator Kerry. If I had, it would have been my
obligation to report them in writing to a higher authority, and I would have
certainly done that. If Senator Kerry actually witnessed or participated in
such atrocities or, as he described them, 'war crimes,' he was obligated to
report them. That he did not until later when it suited his political purposes
strikes me as opportunism of the worst kind. That he would malign my own
service and that of his fellow sailors with no regard for the truth makes him
totally unqualified to serve as Commander-in-Chief."
-- Jeffrey Wainscott
............................................  ............................................
"My daughters and my wife have read portions of the book 'Tour of Duty.'
They wanted to know if I took part in the atrocities described. I do not
believe the things that are described happened.
-- Joseph Ponder, Swift Boat crewman
............................................  ............................................
"While in Cam Rahn Bay, he trained on several 24-hour indoctrination missions,
and one special skimmer operation with my most senior and trusted Lieutenant.
The briefing from members of that crew on the morning after revealed
that they had not received any enemy fire, and yet Lt.(jg) Kerry informed
me of a wound -- he showed me a scratch on his arm and a piece of
shrapnel in his hand that appeared to be from one of our own M-79s. It
was later reported to me that Lt.(jg) Kerry had fired an M-79, and it had
exploded off the adjacent shoreline. I do not recall being advised of any
medical treatment, and probably said something like 'Forget it.' He later
received a Purple Heart for that scratch, and I have no information as to
how or whom.
Lt.(jg) Kerry was allowed to return to the good old USA after 4 months and
a few days in-country, and then he proceeded to betray his former shipmates,
calling them criminals who were committing atrocities. Today we are here
to tell you that just the opposite is true. Our rules of engagement were quite
strict, and the officers and men on Swifts often did not even return fire when
they were under fire if there was a possibility that innocent people -- fishermen,
in a lot of cases -- might be hurt or injured. The rules and the good intentions
of the men increased the possibility that we might take friendly casualties."
-- Commander Grant Hibbard, USN (retired)
-- Kerry's Commanding Officer in Coastal Division 14
............................................  ............................................
"Lt. Kerry returned home from the war to make some outrageous statements
and allegations ... numerous criminal acts in violation of the law of war
were cited by Kerry, disparaging those who had fought with honor in that
conflict. Had war crimes been committed by US forces in Vietnam? Yes, but
such acts were few and far between. Yet Lt. Kerry gave numerous
speeches and testimony before Congress inappropriately leading his
audiences to believe that what was only an anomaly in the conduct of
America's fighting men was an epidemic. Furthermore, he suggested that
they were being encouraged to violated the law of war by those within the
chain of command. Very specific orders, on file at the Vietnam archives at
Texas Tech University, were issued by my father [Admiral Elmo Zumwalt]
and others in his chain of command instructing subordinates to act
responsibly in preserving the life and property of Vietnamese civilians."
--Lt. Col. James Zumwalt, USMC (retired)
............................................  ............................................
"We look at Vietnam... after all these years it is still languishing in isolated
poverty and helplessness and tyranny. This is John Kerry's legacy. I deeply
resent John Kerry's using his Swift boat experience, and his betrayal of
those who fought there as a stepping-stone to his political ambitions."
-- Barnard Wolff, Swift Boat OinC
............................................  ............................................
"In a whole year that I spent patrolling, I didn't see anything like a war
crime, an atrocity, or anything like that. Time and again I saw American
fighting men put themselves in graver danger trying to avoid collateral
damage. When John Kerry returned to this country, he was sworn in front
of Congress. And then he told my family -- my parents, my sister, my
brother, my neighbors -- he told everyone I knew and everyone I'd ever
know that I and my comrades had committed unspeakable atrocities."
-- David Wallace, Swift Boat OinC
............................................  ............................................
"I served with these guys. I went on missions with them, and these men
served honorably. Up and down the chain of command there was no
acquiescence to atrocities. It was not condoned, it did not happen, and it
was not reported to me verbally or in writing by any of these men
including Lt.(jg) Kerry. In 1971, '72, for almost 18 months, he stood before
the television audiences and claimed that the 500,000 men and women in
Vietnam, and in combat, were all villains -- there were no heroes. In 2004,
one hero from the Vietnam War has appeared, running for President of the
United States and Commander-in-Chief. It just galls one to think about it."
-- Captain George Elliott, USN (retired)
............................................  ............................................
"I was in An Thoi from June of '68 to June of '69, covering the whole period
that John Kerry was there. I operated in every river, in every canal, and
every off-shore patrol area in the 4th Corps area, from Cambodia all the
way around to the Bo De River. I never saw, even heard of all of these
so-called atrocities and things that we were supposed to have done. This is
not true. We're not standing for it. We want to set the record straight."
-- William Shumadine
............................................  ............................................
"In 1971, when John Kerry spoke out to America, labeling all Vietnam
veterans as thugs and murderers, I was shocked and almost brought to
my knees, because even though I had served at the same time and same
unit, I had never witnessed or participated in any of the events that the
Senator had accused us of. I strongly believe that the statements made by
the Senator were not only false and inaccurate, but extremely harmful to
the United States' efforts in Southeast Asia and the rest of the world.
Tragically, some veterans, scorned by the antiwar movement and their
allies, retreated to a life of despair and suicide. Two of my crewmates
were among them. For that there is no forgiveness. "
-- Richard O'Meara, Swift Boat crewman
............................................  ............................................
"My name is Steve Gardner. I served in 1966 and 1967 on my first tour of
duty in Vietnam on Swift boats, and I did my second tour in '68 and '69,
involved with John Kerry in the last 2 1/2 months of my tour. The John
Kerry that I know is not the John Kerry that everybody else is portraying. I
served alongside him and behind him, five feet away from him in a gun
tub, and watched as he made indecisive moves with our boat, put our
boats in jeopardy, put our crews in jeopardy... if a man like that can't
handle that 6-man crew boat, how can you expect him to be our
Commander-in-Chief?"
-- Steven Gardner, crewman on Kerry's Swift Boat
............................................  ............................................
"I served in Vietnam as a boat officer from June of 1968 to July of 1969.
My service was three months in Coastal Division 13 out of Cat Lo, and nine
months with Coastal Division 11 based in An Thoi. John Kerry was in An
Thoi at the same time I was. I'm here today to express the anger I have
harbored for over 33 years, about being accused with my fellow shipmates
of war atrocities. All I can say is when I leave here today, I'm going down
to the Wall to tell my two crew members it's not true, and that they and
the other 49 Swiftees who are on the Wall were then and are still now the
best."
-- Robert Brant, Swift Boat OinC
............................................  ............................................
"I never saw, heard of, or participated in any Swift boat crews killing
cattle, poisoning crops, or raping and killing civilians as charged by John
Kerry, both in his book and in public statements. Since we both operated
at the same time, in the same general area, and on the same missions
under the same commanders, it is hard to believe his claims of atrocities.
I signed this letter because I feel that he used Swift boat sailors to proclaim
his antiwar statements after the war, and now he uses the same Swift boat
sailors to support his claims of being a war hero. He cannot have it both
ways, and we are here to ask for full disclosure of the proof of his claims."
-- James Steffes
............................................  ............................................
.
Last edited by rbshirley on Fri Aug 27, 2004 4:19 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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