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flagreen
Seaman
Joined: 10 Sep 2004
Posts: 175
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 Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 6:34 am Post subject: Injured, angry, determined, Swiftees unite to fight Kerry |
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| Quote: | Injured, angry, determined, Swiftees unite to fight Kerry
By Stephanie Mansfield
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Midnight in South Vietnam, and the river is black. Past the rice paddies and shacks, small fires are burning by the shoreline as Lt. John H. Davis' 50-foot aluminum swift boat — PCF 19 — makes its routine patrol through the reeds.
In a split second, rocket fire shatters the silence, and through a plume of oily smoke, the boat sinks to the river's bottom.
"My whole crew lost their lives that night. I was the only one who survived," Lt. Davis says.
Lt. Davis, now 62, lost his left eye. The bones in both legs were shattered. But the scars of war are nothing compared to the demons that wake him from his sleep, leaving him drenched in sweat and trembling with fear.
"My latest nightmare was that I was pulling my crew out of the water. When it came to the last body, it was me."
Lt. Davis has come to Washington at his own expense, along with 89 other Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, to tape the eighth 60-second TV spot questioning Sen. John Kerry's fitness to be commander in chief.
They come from Oshkosh, Wis., and Orlando, Fla., San Francisco and Virginia Beach. One is on crutches. Others, former prisoners of war, walk stiffly, a result of being bound and tortured. Some wear their medals. Two are in cowboy boots.
Snow-haired Bud Day, a 79-year-old former POW, stands at attention. He is wearing a brown leather flight jacket befitting an Air Force major, complemented by the Medal of Honor around his neck. Others have donned "Swift Boat" baseball caps.
The silver-haired men — in natty ties, navy blazers and spit-shined shoes, their faces bronzed with Ben Nye matte foundation ("tan suede") — line up under the hot lights in the cavernous soundstage at Atlantic Video on Massachusetts Avenue.
One by one, they share their stories with the cameras and defend their honor.
These Swiftees, at times jocular (breaking into "Row, row, row your boat") and at other times on the verge of tears, are angry and frustrated. Not only because they say Mr. Kerry has lied about his service and refuses to sign the form that releases his military records to the public, but because 30 years ago, the candidate threw away his medals and called his fellow servicemen murderers, rapists, baby killers and cowards.
The weekend began with a dinner at the Key Bridge Marriott on Friday night, attended by a wealthy backer from Texas, T. Boone Pickens.
So far, they have raised more than $13 million — more than $4 million of which was contributed through their Internet site — and plan to step up their assault on the Democratic presidential candidate in the final weeks of the campaign. They raised an additional $2.5 million over the weekend and plan to spend $5 million more by Election Day.
The weekend shoot produced enough footage for two or three more ads, which the Swiftees plan to run starting Thursday in Pennsylvania and Ohio and in a few heavily military areas of Florida. Campaign analysts say the Swiftees have been highly effective in planting doubts about Mr. Kerry's fitness for office.
Vernon Smith, a 74-year-old Swiftee from Virginia Beach, didn't see any reason to come forward before, but when he read "Tour of Duty," Mr. Kerry's account of his Vietnam service as written by historian Douglas Brinkley, he got angry.
"I don't like the fabrications. Why does a man have to lie like that? He is totally unfit for command," he said.
Their beef with Mr. Kerry has driven them to action, the Swiftees say, as they search their collective memories for the truth. Many say they felt shame before, but now they are a band of brothers. "Unfit for Command," which was co-authored by a leader of the group, is a best seller. And on Saturday, they received a wire for $500,000.
"In more than one firefight, Kerry actually pulled our boat out of it and ran out of the canal. I don't think John Kerry was a coward," says 57-year-old Steve Gardner, from Clover, S.C., who spent more than two months with Mr. Kerry on PCF 44 as a gunner's mate 3rd class.
"I think John Kerry was an opportunist. And he was very ineffectual. He did everything in his own best interest. He was always carrying a little notebook with him. I assume it was his diaries. He was very aloof and disdainful of people under him," he said.
Sgt. Chris LaCivita stands behind the monitor, as the men rehearse their lines. He is producing the spot, with help from Republican media consultant Rick Reed.
Sgt. LaCivita, a tall energetic former Marine who received a Purple Heart after he was shot in the face in the first Persian Gulf war, defends the TV spots against critics who say what happened 30 years ago shouldn't matter.
"Character has always been and will always be a major focus on every candidate running," he said. "So many of the men who were there have legitimate questions about whether he deserved his citations. These men have earned the right to be heard."
But the group has become a lightning rod in recent weeks. In late August, Benjamin Ginsberg resigned his post as legal counsel for the Bush campaign when it became known that he was advising the Swiftees as well. Under scrutiny, several statements made by former "crewmates" of Mr. Kerry have been recanted.
One serious misstatement on Mr. Kerry's part, they say, was his claim that he was ordered to go to Cambodia in December 1968, an illegal act. Not true, says Mr. Gardner, who was on the boat with Mr. Kerry at the time.
"We were never in Cambodia," he says. "Not even close."
Some question Mr. Kerry's discharge from the Navy, information about which is still under wraps.
"If he's a war hero, why not release the missing information?" their thinking goes.
"Good question," Navy Lt. Paul Galanti says. "Everybody in this group wants to find out the truth about his service record. I think there's a lot more there."
Shot down over North Vietnam in 1967, Maj. Day suffered numerous injuries, managed to escape from his prison, walked for two weeks through the jungle eating live frogs before he was recaptured.
He then spent the next six years as a prison cellmate of John McCain, who would become a Republican senator, at the prison the Americans called, with bitter irony, the "Hanoi Hilton." Maj. Day's presence in the room is palpable. Even in a group of decorated war veterans, he stands out as a living legend.
The others sheepishly introduce themselves and are honored just to shake his still-firm hand.
"Kerry betrayed us by telling the people we were committing atrocities," Maj. Day says. "A man who does that is not fit to lead. It's impossible to let this man masquerade as a war hero and someone who has leadership. To imagine this guy who betrayed us becoming president and him being the leader of our armed forces is just unthinkable."
Standing next to the major, 57-year-old Jim Hoffman from Oshkosh, Wis., said Mr. Kerry was never a leader.
"He was an arrogant snob," said Mr. Hoffman, an engineman 2nd class on the swift boats, adding that he felt afraid and alone for many years, but now feels buoyed by his Swiftee peers and their mission.
Mr. Gardner says Mr. Kerry used to boast to his fellow servicemen that he would be the next JFK.
Says Sgt. LaCivita: "JFK must be rolling in his grave."
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Original Story can be found here.
God bless each every one you for your service to our country in Vietnam all those years ago. We will never forget you! |
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Navy_Navy_Navy
Admin
Joined: 07 May 2004
Posts: 5777
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| Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 7:03 am Post subject: |
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These people continue to inspire me and give me courage every day!
They're giving up so much and they're getting such nastiness from the moonbats.
I have it on good authority that Joe Ponder has actually been accused of using those crutches only for Swifts' and media activities. Despicable - totally despicable.
Thank you to the Washington Times for treating this meeting with the respect due to these honorable and principled folks.
And thank you, Swifties and POW's - we're with you!!! You lead by shining example!
_________________
~ Echo Juliet ~
Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother |
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Stevie
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Joined: 25 Aug 2004
Posts: 1451
Location: Queen Creek, Arizona
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| Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 7:24 am Post subject: |
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there I go again..... my eyes tearing up just reading that article !
don't give me anything indepth to read! 
_________________
Stevie
Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage
morale and undermine the military are saboteurs and should
be arrested, exiled or hanged. |
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ord33
Rear Admiral
Joined: 11 Aug 2004
Posts: 670
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 7:40 am Post subject: |
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| Amazing article, so many great things....Including $2.5 Million raised over the weekend!!! |
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msindependent
Vice Admiral
Joined: 26 Aug 2004
Posts: 891
Location: Colorado
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| Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 7:46 am Post subject: |
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| I do hope that they can now have some small comfort in knowing that thousands of us believe in them. They will never be alone again. |
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mtboone
Founder
Joined: 10 May 2004
Posts: 470
Location: Kansas City, MO.
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| Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:03 pm Post subject: |
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I was there for the commercial Saturday and to see Joe Ponder rise out of his chair for each take, and it took several and never once does he complain. To see MOH Bud Daly stand tall after all the torture that he endured at the hands of Kerry's friends, and yet he thanked us for taking the lead. To see John Davis and the toll, emotionally and physically to his body stand for hours to do one small segment and we were all proud to do it and be together in what many of us feel is the biggest battle of our lives, it is for our Nation and the faith of this Great Country. Now keep up the pressure, get people to vote and see what jfk is as a individual; a contrived self centered person who is not worthy to lead this Nation.
_________________
Terry Boone PCF 90
Qui Nhon 68-69 |
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Theresa Alwood
Rear Admiral
Joined: 05 Jun 2004
Posts: 631
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 9:04 pm Post subject: |
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Terry
As you vets are showing the same courage you did during Viet Nam. I feel in awe of each and everyone of you. From the bottom of this vet's heart, I say THANK YOU for a service well done and THANK YOU for letting us "peace time" vets see the truth about John Kerry. You will never know how much each and everyone of us appreciate the courage you have all risen to once again and I think of you all as heros. I am just so lucky to say that I helped and supported the swiftvets!
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Born to raise a little hell! |
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wednesdaychild
PO3
Joined: 06 Aug 2004
Posts: 276
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| Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 9:10 pm Post subject: |
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I am moved to tears with gratitude toward these men and all the vets who served with honor.
It looks like money talks and so it will take a lot to get and keep the ads on TV. If the dems are screaming, we must be doing something right.
I just hope no one gets hurt before the election. There has been several break in's reported on Drudge and it is most frightening to think anyone in america would do this.
_________________
"...for the good of believing in life after birth..."
Jim Steinman |
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mtboone
Founder
Joined: 10 May 2004
Posts: 470
Location: Kansas City, MO.
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| Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2004 9:28 pm Post subject: |
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The Dems will never get it, they say it is just a political ploy the SVFT group are doing. If you could have seen the anger, resentment and the disgust that we have for jfk in the ad and the discussions among ourselves during the whole weekend. This is not a Republican against Democrat belief, it is about Honor and integrity, and jfk has none of those qualities.
_________________
Terry Boone PCF 90
Qui Nhon 68-69 |
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Theresa Alwood
Rear Admiral
Joined: 05 Jun 2004
Posts: 631
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 12:22 am Post subject: |
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I think most people who are non-vets do not understand why we have such resentment towards John Kerry. I am not a Viet Nam vet, but I stand with them and against John Kerry. There is a "bond" that vets share, and it is across branches of service (while I tease my father-in-law about being the pilot who flew me into FL last week and we were in the outer bands of the hurricane - I just knew he was a prior AF pilot since he did so well  - my father-in-law insisted he was Navy) we both feel the same way about John Kerry - in my father-in-law words "John Kerry IS a traitor".
Dad served USN 1959-1982. I served AF 1979-1983 and my husband served AF 1978-2000 - and all three of us are on the same page when it comes to John Kerry - he is a traitor...a disgrace to the men and women who served and are serving now. My sister-in-law whose hubby served 4 years feels the same way. EVERY vet that I know - active or retired - or like me only did one term - ALL feel the same way about John Kerry...and this most vets stand side by side - John Kerry is a traitor.
I will tell everyone I know (and they all do know how I feel about John Kerry). I will continue to until the election.
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Born to raise a little hell! |
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CeeBeeBratPH
Seaman Recruit
Joined: 22 Aug 2004
Posts: 11
Location: West Slope Colorado
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| Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 2:46 am Post subject: |
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Based on what I've read today on the various webpages, this material should cause enough of a stir in the MSM to get the 'free' publicity all over again like August. I live in Colorado and have not seen any of the Swift Boat ads on TV but the MSM whinning and complaining does reach Colorado and the Nation. Negative publicity can be just as good as positive.
Keep the faith and push forward.
Good Job Swifties.
CeeBeeBratPH |
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