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Where is the VFW and the American Legion in this fight?
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3rd gen Navy
Lieutenant


Joined: 03 Sep 2004
Posts: 227
Location: Gainesville, Fl.

PostPosted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 12:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

How many members have they lost by NOT standing up for the truth? I can think of at least half a dozen, just among my immediate friends and family. While I am unaware of what good they may do my behalf in Washington, I am staunchly convinced that it does not outweigh the disservice commited by their refusal to call Kerry out.
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Sean G. Smith,
RN, BSN, EMT-B, U.S. Navy, 1994 - 2003.
BS Biology, Business Administration, Nursing
The Deal with Life: Make decisions based on what you might gain, not on what you may lose.
!!!!!! LET THE WILD RUMPUS BEGIN !!!!!!
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Wing Wiper
Rear Admiral


Joined: 09 Aug 2004
Posts: 664
Location: Oregon

PostPosted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 2:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
How many members have they lost by NOT standing up for the truth?

More than they would have lost for supporting the Vietnam vets for a change. It didn't really surprise me that they gave Kerry a forum, I figured out way back that I wasn't welcome in the VFW or the Legion, and I don't see any change in their stance now. They could easily have stood beside us in this (either one of them) and picked up a lot of new members. Too bad.
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Navy_Navy_Navy
Admin


Joined: 07 May 2004
Posts: 5777

PostPosted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 2:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm really sorry about that, WingWiper.

I've heard that in many local VFW/AL's "back in the day," the attitude from the membership was quite unwelcoming for our Vietnam vets. "You lost your war" kind of mentality.

I'd have thought that by now, the upper echelons of VFW/AL would be comprised of Vietnam era vets and would therefore be more open to supporting what must now be the bulk of its membership.

Sure doesn't look good to Gulf War I vets and today's vets to see this resistance to taking a stand, especially when doing so could have made a real difference. The troops have been begging us to vote for the President. They're afraid of a Kerry administration, and so am I - I guess so are most of us here.

These groups may have begun to make themselves irrelevant with their refusal to change their position and take a stand.
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Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
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Wing Wiper
Rear Admiral


Joined: 09 Aug 2004
Posts: 664
Location: Oregon

PostPosted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 5:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Don't mean nothin', I can get along fine without them.
Quote:
These groups may have begun to make themselves irrelevant with their refusal to change their position and take a stand.

That's what I figure, too. If they pass away, another group will form to replace them if there is a demand. Maybe that's better all-around, know what I mean?
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Navy_Navy_Navy
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Joined: 07 May 2004
Posts: 5777

PostPosted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 5:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Means something to me.

And to a whole lot of other people too - I wonder if you Vietnam vets can feel the windshift that's taking place?

I do.

We, your younger brothers and sisters, are standing behind you and proud of you and your service as maybe never before.

The candidacy of John Kerry has brought so many things to light that we never knew as we were growing up. You have a lot of company. You have a lot of respect and appreciation.

This isn't anything like creating a memorial wall and symbolically "putting it in the past."

This is a real examination of that era and where we went wrong and trying to find ways to fix what we broke.

It's a re-opening of dusty old secrets and bringing them out into the light where everyone can see for themselves.

They want to call our parents and grandparents "The Greatest Generation," and in some ways, perhaps that's true.

But, there's true greatness, too, in going off to fight a war as badly micromanaged and unsupported by Congress as was the Vietnam war.

There's a lot of work to do, but you aren't alone, any more - you have lots of help, as you can see, right here in the volunteerism on this board.

Setting the record straight. It's become a priority for a whole lot more people that you can imagine.

Or maybe you've felt the windshift, too?
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~ Echo Juliet ~
Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother
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