SwiftVets.com

[AZVet61]

August 8, 2004

Senator John McCain
2400 East Arizona Biltmore Cir.
Suite 1150
Phoenix, AZ 85016

Dear Senator McCain:

I honor and respect the service you performed in the Armed Forces of the United States, and I deeply regret the physical and emotional wounds you suffered as a POW at the hands of the North Vietnamese. However, I must remind you that there were others who also suffered physical and emotional wounds from that war—and these wounds were all the more grievous because they were inflicted by other Americans.

Such was the case with my closest college friend, who lies in a nursing home, unable to recognize his friends and loved ones. My friend, you see, was wounded when his unit was ambushed in Vietnam. After convalescence, he was assigned to the Oakland Army Terminal. While serving there, he wrote to me that he was unable to wear his uniform off post because he was assaulted by anti-Vietnam War protesters who derided his military service and called him terrible names. He could not believe Americans could treat an American soldier in this way. He never committed any war crimes—did not kill any babies—and could not understand why he was accused of having done so. He did not recover from the experience of Vietnam nor from the post-war experiences he related to me. He was unable to continue in the service of his country, left the Army and returned home to Prescott, Arizona. He continued to suffer terribly, and one day attempted suicide, succeeding only in destroying his mental faculties, a condition from which he will never recover.

I have never forgotten what my friend went through—I cannot, because he is a living reminder. Although, I too, served during the Vietnam War, my reaction to those who denigrated the service of my fellow soldiers was one of great anger. As time passed, the emotional wounds of Vietnam for most of us diminished—until Senator John Kerry decided to run for the office of President of the United States and to use his service in Vietnam for the purposes of furthering his campaign for that office.

Now, we are once again embroiled in the tragedies of that war—and once again, I am reminded of the terrible experiences suffered by my friend and others at the hands of other Americans. And, once again, we am forced to deal with the activities of a former Naval officer, who returned from Vietnam, joined and led many of the anti-war protesters and testified to the Congress that all who had served in Vietnam had committed war crimes—a damnable lie and a lie which dishonored all who served in that war.

I have read and viewed the criticisms leveled at John Kerry by the men who served in Vietnam with him and at the same time, some of whom have formed the group, Swiftvets. These men, some of whom, including John O’Neill, I remember from the days of John Kerry’s anti-war activities, are well-respected veterans in their own right—many of whom are also decorated from wounds in Vietnam. They also suffered the same experiences as my friend and found themselves accused of horrible things by John Kerry.

Therefore, I was shocked and dismayed by your comments concerning these men and your demands that President Bush and other Republicans denounce them for the advertisements some of them have sponsored, which criticize John Kerry’s service and post-war activities. As I wrote to The Arizona Republic, how else are these men to get their viewpoints known to the American public. Having condemned them, the Republic is not going to publish their views. Nor is any other voice of the liberal media, who see, as apparently you do, their comments as being politically motivated—something, which I and thousands of other veterans do not believe.

I cannot begin to appreciate the terrible suffering you experienced in Vietnam. But, I also know there others who also suffered greatly, both at the hands of the enemy and at the hands of other Americans—my friend among them. I believe that, by denouncing these men and their efforts to tell the American people how they feel, you have committed a grievous error. You have compounded that error by calling upon President Bush to also denounce them—something I do not believe you had the moral right to do.

But, the damage is done, you have said what you said, and it has been repeated by virtually every newspaper and magazine in America—especially by those of liberal persuasion. These men and their efforts have now been sullied by perhaps the most prominent war hero in America—accused of using their views for political purposes, again, something which I and many thousands of other vets do not share.

I can only tell you how I feel about what you have said. However, in fairness, there is something else you can address. It is bad enough that John Kerry did what he did after returning from Vietnam, and it is bad enough that he has resurrected Vietnam for his own political purposes. What galls me is that the few Vietnam veterans who have decided to support John Kerry and who appeared with him at the Democratic Convention have taken to calling themselves, The Band of Brothers. Now, one can say that Shakespeare originated that phrase in Henry V, and, having been used by many thereafter, it is in the public domain. However, to those who served in the Armed Forces of the United States, and to those who respect the service of others, including those who served in WW II, the phrase has taken on a distinct and respectful meaning. It is a phrase that should not be demeaned by a group of veterans who have clearly banded together for political purposes—to support the candidacy of John Kerry. So, if you are going to denounce the veterans who have banded together to express their views of John Kerry, the sailor and John Kerry, the anti-war activist, you should also denounce the use of this phraseology by John Kerry’s “band of brothers”.

Respectfully,



BRENT F. MOODY
(address withheld)

[Navy_Navy_Navy]

That is one OUTSTANDING letter!

Welcome aboard, Brent!
_________________
~ Echo Juliet ~
Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother

[Jack Mclaughlin]

We all wish we had your ability to write something so thoughtful and eloquent.

[Cowboy]

Great letter. Any reply from McCain? If he didn't reply, maybe you could send it again and request the courtesy of a substantive reply. After all, McCain represents the people of your state, and you're one of the people.

[Beatrice1000]

Brent, Thanks for much for sharing this letter. I'm glad to know it's been sent -- I've been waiting for someone to have a good discussion with the senator.... I hope you'll let us know of any reply.

Again -- Thanks!

[arjr111]

Very moving!
_________________
Semper-Fi

[Dimsdale]

Superb!!

If he fails to respond to you, and I mean personally, then something is seriously amiss.

[Republicanmommy]

Excellent, very well written!
_________________
Support your Troops and your Country
Boycott CBS
Proud Daughter of Vietnam Vet

[leeinwv]

I sent Senator McCain a letter too

[one more captins mast]

Sorry no longer have it in me to be "mice"

Can not get the idea out of my head

that JERRY MICHAEL SHRIVER MAY STILL BE ALIVE AND THEY HAVE HIM.

and this thing is ruin/ing for President. It's just to sick.
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the strange mr aj

[Jack Mclaughlin]

Brent: I am curious to know if your letter was submitted to the Op-Ed Editor of the Arizona Republic. If so, did they refuse or accept it? If you didn`t submit it I hope you will consider doing so.

[Theresa Alwood]

Great letter. I also wrote Senator McCain..no answer received.
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Born to raise a little hell!