SwiftVets.com

[cipher]

Fair disclosure: I was in the USMC from 69 to 72, however I never spent as much as a minute in combat. Lucky me. The criticism here is regarding the statements made by Kerry which -- in my opinion -- do a disservice to those who WERE on the pointy end of the stick.

This snip is from the 10 July 2004 press release titled "Kerry-Edwards Campaign Releases First Ad Featuring John Edwards Stumping For John Kerry" on the johnkerry.com website (http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0710a.html):

[Navy_Navy_Navy]

Yes, we've kicked that around here quite a bit - Kerry did a part of one WESTPAC and claims it as "a tour in Vietnam."

Personally, I've never heard a sailor refer to their WESTPAC's in support of operations in Vietnam as being "tours in Vietnam," and believe, like you probably do, that this poser is trying to plant the impression that he did two years slogging through the mud and beating through the jungle.

Not the 4 months and 12 days that he actually spent with Swifts and the short periods that his Gridley tour spent in support of the 7th Fleet.

Welcome aboard, Marine - good to have you with us!
_________________
~ Echo Juliet ~
Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother

[cipher]

Thank you, ma'am. Appreciate it.

I *tried* to search the site before posting to see if this was already "kicked around", you would not believe how many hits there are on "two tours" (well, you might at that).

Gee whiz, golly, wow. Does my 13 months in WestPac repairing shot up electronics on Okinawa mean I can claim I did a "tour"?

Thanks, no. I'll pass. I've got too much respect for the guys and gals that DID combat tours to even consider it.
_________________
USMC 69-72, 7th Comm, 3rd MarDiv, FMFPAC
US Army 75-79, 97th Sig, SHAPE, NATO
Arkansas National Guard 79
Defense contractor for US Navy, SSPO, SP-20, SP-24, OP-12 84-92

[Navy_Navy_Navy]

Oh yeah, cause I just did a search for "two tours!" Overwhelming amount to wade through.

I hope I didn't sound like I was denigrating the efforts of anyone - I've explained my point of view and hate to expound on it again, but I don't want to leave anyone with the idea that I don't appreciate what our people on the ships or Okinawa or Barber's Point did.

EVERYONE was needed, from the rearest REMF to the boots on the ground.

I respect everyone who did their job over there - the work was sometimes grueling, the hours inhuman, not enough parts, broken equipment, inadequate supplies... it was a hell of a struggle.

By turning his WESTPAC into a "tour in Vietnam," in my opinion Kerry denigrates those who pulled their three WESTPAC's in ships tour by trying to make his work something that it wasn't. He's disgusting. Stolen Valor doesn't apply to anyone else any better than it applies to Kerry.

Even the unofficial USS Gridley site takes issue with Kerry's comments, and rightfuly so - a couple of them take some of his Tour of Duty paragraphs apart.
_________________
~ Echo Juliet ~
Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother

[Hueygunner]

As a crewchief/doorgunner on an Army UH-1D helicopter, I found it very hard to keep my "Huey" running. I even cannibalized other ships that were down for repairs. I know I was wrong. I carefully left a trail of broken wires to let the other crewchiefs know that a part was missing. One night, I was caught by the Colonel. I was supposed to be pulling guard duty on the flightline. He didn't know I was "ripping off" parts from another helicopter; he thought I was pulling maintenance on my own ship. I was caught red-handed. The next day, the company commander both chided me and praised me: first he scolded me for neglecting my post as a guard then he commended me for pulling repairs at night when everyone else was asleep. Luckily, I came out of it smelling like roses.

Later, David Quick took over the parts department. He worked day and night getting the place in shape and stocked. Often, I would catch him working late at night, after everyone else had gone up to the hootches or EM club. Soon, my scavaging days ( I should say nights) were over. I could walk in and get a part quickly and easily.

It's guys like David Quick who make me proud to say I'm a Vietnam Veteran; I'm glad to say I was once one of them. John Kerry -- nah-h-h!