SwiftVets.com

[Iwo]

My service:

USNR, 1965-1969

Most of my time was aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2). I was a LT(jg) and my primary assignment was Ass't. Flight Deck Officer. We had two cruises to Vietnam.

The Iwo was a "Landing Platform Dock" or Amphibious Assault Ship or, in civilian vernacular a "helicopter carrier." In combat there were about 2300 men aboard (no women in those days). Ship's crew was 500 men and 50 officers. Add about 1500 men in the Marine Combat Battalion, plus a bunch more from the Marine helicopter squadron (24 birds). Yeah, it got nice and cozy. We also had a 220 bed hospital on the ship.

We could land the Marines and their gear, feed and resupply them, and bring all the dead and wounded back to the ship for 9 days without any resupply on our part. We sailed up and down the Vietnam coast, mostly between DaNang and the DMZ and participated in many actions, including Deckhouse IV, V, VI. We won the Admiral Flatley Memorial Award for having the safest flight deck in the Pacific Fleet, two years in a row, which is a real testament to the professionalism of the crew and pilots.

I remember (can never forget) how vets were treated when I returned home. Damn, I was afraid, when applying for a job that I would get turned down because of my Vietnam time. It was a terrible dilemma because so many people thought our service was immoral. The first time anyone bought me a drink for my service was here in Texas, about 5 years ago: A neighbor who turned out to be a fellow vet! About a year after that, on Veterans Day, while working out in a gym, a young man asked me if I was a vet. I said yes. He offered his hand and said "Thank you, sir." Gotta love Texas. I'm glad I ended up here.

Now, to Jean-François Kerry: I have despised him ever since seeing his testimony to the Senate. Before that my "despising" had been primarily reserved for Hanoi Jane.

It wasn't until Ronald Reagan healed a lot of the wounds by publicly supporting us that I began to feel better about those years.

Now we are faced with the possibility of having an abhorrent man as Commander-in-Chief. President Bush has done a good job in helping the military recover from the dreadful Clinton years. I cannot imagine the damage that will again be done if Jean-François is elected.

Bless all of you SBVT guys. You have an armada of support amongst vets, including Navy, Army, Marines. I don't know any Air Force guys, but I would imagine they feel the same way, as would our Coast Guard buddies.

The courage you are showing by subjecting yourselves and your families to the venom of the media and the DNC is admirable. From what I can see you are not going to let the bastards grind you down. Keep up this vital work. I am doing what I can to spread the word, have ordered the book on Amazon.com and have made a small donation. This website is helping me. I have also written to Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity supporting your efforts. Between now and the election I'll be writing many more letters.

FLANK SPEED AHEAD gents.

Thank You.
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USNR, 1965-1969, LT(jg)

[coldwarvet]

Welcome aboard. Thank you for your service. I did not serve in Nam. I served during what I call the hangover years 75-79 of Carter. The first thing Carter did was give the dodgers amnisty 1/76.
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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

[War Dog]

Welcome aboard. Batten down the hatches, and prepare for heavy rolls until after the election.

About a month ago, the wife and I were eating breakfast at Cracker Barrel, and I had on my "Vietnam - Desert Shield/Storm" hat. When we asked for the check, we were told that our meal was paid for, and that whomever paid for it said to thank me for my service to our nation. I asked who it was, so that I could thank them, but was told that the person wished to remain unknown.

That blew me away! I've been told Thank You for your service more in the last year than in the previous 34 years.

Friggin' War Woof!
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"When people are in trouble, they call the cops.

When cops need help, they call the K-9 unit."

[Iwo]

[Iwo]

[DrEntropy]

[Iwo]