-- by Susan Jones
(CNSNews.com) - Stop using our faces in your campaign material, eleven Swift Boat veterans have told Sen. John F. Kerry. The veterans are all from the unit in which Sen. John Kerry served.
In their letter to the Kerry Campaign, the Swift Boat veterans warned of legal action, unless "the blatant abuse of their images by the Kerry Campaign cease immediately."
The photograph in question was taken in January 1969. It has appeared in the March 8 Newsweek issue and in a Kerry campaign ad.
The veterans said they have sent earlier letters to Kerry headquarters, alerting Kerry staffers about their concerns with his use of the photograph.
"The signers of today's letter object to the use of their photographs in conjunction with the Kerry campaign because they believe that not only is Kerry unfit to serve as the commander-in-chief of the United States, but by using their images, the campaign suggests that these men endorse the senator," said a press release issued by Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.
The group describes itself as a "tax-exempt, non-partisan public advocacy '527' organization consisting of, and limited to, former military officers and enlisted men who served in Vietnam on U.S. Navy "Swift Boats" or in affiliated commands."
Of the 20 officers shown in the photograph, only two openly support Senator Kerry, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth said. Eleven of the officers in the photo oppose Kerry's bid for the presidency, four wish to remain uninvolved and two are deceased, the press release added.
Swift Boat Veterans for Truth says its primary purpose is to "shed light on John Kerry's service record."
The group says it includes more than 220 Swift Boat vets, "virtually the entire chain of command Kerry reported to and a large majority of peers who served with him during his short and controversial stay in Vietnam."
In an open letter on its website, the group tells Sen. Kerry, "It is our collective judgment that, upon your return from Vietnam, you grossly and knowingly distorted the conduct of the American soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen of that war (including a betrayal of many of us, without regard for the danger your actions caused us). Further, we believe that you have withheld and/or distorted material facts as to your own conduct in this war."
The letter also complains that Kerry now seeks to cover himself "in the very medals you disdainfully threw away in the early years of your political career."
Swift Boat Veterans for Truth also questions Kerry's honesty: "Both then and now, we have concluded that you have deceived the public, and in the process have betrayed honorable men, to further your personal political goals."
The letter promises "further appropriate action" if Kerry and his campaign fail to comply with the cease-and-desist demand.
