John Kerry's Veteran Legacy

Thirty-eight years ago today, a young veteran was invited to testify before a committee of Senators and silenced the talkative politicians by speaking about the human costs of war. He did so on behalf of thousands of compatriots who could not be there. He spoke with the power of one who had seen war up close. The Senators listened intently, for some of them had never worn the uniform of the soldier and none had served in the jungles of Vietnam.

Today, that young veteran is himself not only a distinguished Senator but also chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the very same committee he had addressed in 1971. And tomorrow, at a hearing before his committee, Senator John Kerry will be giving a new generation of young veterans a chance to share their views of war, specifically, the war in Afghanistan.

For those of us who are leaders of veterans' organizations today, it is somewhat easy to forget that there was a time when America, let alone Capitol Hill, cared little about the opinions of veteran leaders on America's foreign and military policies. The policies of defense and war were to be judged by Generals and politicians, not the men and women who were on the ground, fighting.

Yet, over the past few years, when you have tuned your television to the news, you were likely to see people like me on CNN or MSNBC -- a 20-something veteran of Iraq, representing thousands of veterans who were critical of how the war was being waged. Or, maybe you saw another young veteran speaking out in favor of a surge of more troops, or another who represents veterans who want to get out of all conflicts. John Kerry changed the game forever, and every vocal veteran leader -- regardless of where they fall on the political spectrum -- owes him a debt of gratitude, because without his testimony to the Fulbright Committee in 1971, we likely would not have as much public and media attention as we have today.

My personal story is even more directly tied to Senator Kerry. When I met Senator Kerry at the Pittsburgh airport in 2004 I was angry, upset, and lost. I had just returned from Iraq, proud of my service, but disillusioned with the misleading statements of President Bush that got us into the war and was keeping us there. Senator Kerry asked me how things were going in Iraq, and I couldn't contain myself. For 10 minutes, I spoke almost nonstop, all about how American troops needed his help. Finally, he stopped me, asked for my card and promised to call me the next day.

When he actually called I was shocked. This guy was busy. Why was he calling me? He said, "Jon, I'm calling you for one reason. I want to know if you will help me. When I was your age, I was just like you. I was young, I was angry, and I wanted people to listen to me. I think if you help me, you can make a difference in your country. Or, you don't have to help my campaign, but you can still make a difference in your country."

When we play war as children we play hero - winner. We don't fantasize about coming home and holding the powerful accountable. Even as we grow up, we still don't believe our voice can matter. Senator Kerry made me believe that even though I had no money or political connections, the opinions of Iraq war veterans would be important to the public debate -- just like his warrior voice had been heard the Vietnam Era.

That kind of inspiration may be Senator Kerry's greatest legacy. Because of his example and encouragement, I was able to find a higher calling than the path I was on. It inspired me to start VoteVets.org, which represents some of the country's most active veterans. I wanted to do important work for my fellow veterans -- from helping to pass a new G.I. Bill of Rights to pressing for a drawdown to the war in Iraq.

Not only that, but I'm committed to using my position to encourage veterans who come after me to also speak up, to pass along the torch that Senator Kerry lit when, 38 years ago, he stood up for veterans and, as a result, gave voice to a new movement. Much has been written about his testimony as a young veteran; I hope that one day more will be written about those of us he inspired -- and those he empowers today to speak their minds and speak the truth as they see it.

Crossposted at VetVoice.com

Comments

[wallyone]

I know Kerry to be a hero in 3 ways: volunteering for Vietnem, volunteering for swiftboat duty, and volunteering to speak the truth about that war. Each of these actions took courage and were not in his best interest. He is a most admirable man.

[georgewetherill]

Because most of his story was BS. Once again a liberal telling the world how bad we are. You like him? Hes all yours.

[TooLooze]

I'm so happy to see young vets like Jon becoming involved and taking a stand. It never ceased to amaze me why the VFW and other groups didn't speak out on Kerry's behalf on the swiftboat lies.

[Berettasskeeter]

Which of their claims have been debunked by independent sources? When did Kerry release, fully, his military records? See, that's the problem! The VFW and others saw through him as well.
Semper fi

[donklinestiver]

And what supply depo did you serve in go listen to your imaginary friends some more. A real Vet supports his brothers not critiques them on political Baloney. They appeal to the same ignorance you are part of scare tactics misinformation and propaganda. That crap you support got thousands of good Americans killed in support of the terrorist agenda OBL is laughing all the way to the Jihad. Thank's to the fact the people saw through the baloney this time we got a black John Kerry.

[rcthweatt]

Nightline aired a report not long before the 2004 election. In the first part, Ted Koppel reported from the village where the action for which Kerry received the Silver Star took place; he interviewed VC veterans who still live in the village. Everything he found was completely consistent with Kerry's after action report and his medal citation. For instance, while none of them saw Kerry shoot the RPG gunner, they found his body afterwards in the location Kerry indicated. The gunner was a 27 year old specialist who, with some others, had been sent to the village to reinforce the local VC so they could engage the Swiftboats.

In the second part of the report, Koppel had O'Neil on, and took him apart; he was floundering, totally lost.
Why this report seems to have disappeared, I don't know- two pages above without a mention

Contrast Kerry's prompt, bold, and lethal response to the threat that gunner posed to W's blinking, stunned, interminable, paralysis in that Florida classroom. What if it had been Lt Bush commanding that boat that day? Would you be happy to be on that boat? Kerry's crew were pretty happy with him. So was the Navy; it's very obvious they thought he had a great future.

There's a lot of denial driving the attacks on Kerry.

[donklinestiver]

Thanks !!

[J G H]

Don;t be too quiick to distinguish generals and politiians from younger veterans. Throughout our history there are many cases where the difference is only the passage of time. Washington was an officer under the British in the French and Indian War. Many of the generals in the Civil War were lieutenants in the Mexican War. Harry Truman was a captain in WW I. JFK was a junior officer in WW II. Bob Dole and Daniel Inouye were both wounded in combat in Italy in WW II as lieutenant and sergeant respectively. Generals are often combat veterans at a junior level who remained in the military long enough to be involved in the next war; examples are Colin Powell and Norman Schwarzkopf

Many politicians in the later 19th century were Civil War vets, the politicians of the thirties through the seventies included many WW I and WW II vets, and others had experience as draftees. It is only in the last few decades that we have had such a lack of personal military experience among our political leaders. The politicians reflect the population they represent, most of whom have little personal knowledge of the military. My conservative congressional district,has twixe elected a man with no military experience over a candidate with combat experience as a Marine primarily because the combat vet was a Democrat.

[Joe Bello]

Kerry's committee did not invite any witness from the Iraq Veterans Against the War, the modern-day analog of the antiwar group he represented when he testified in 1971.
http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2009/04/22/no_counterparts_to_the_young_kerry_at_war_hearing/

[Eric Strattoniii]

Because most of them are not even Vets who saw combat there, why would he invite them?

[Garioch]

You've been an interesting and illuminating voice for some time Mr. Soltz, always glad to hear it and carry on.

[Guytar]

Ranger Reilly says that John Kerry's active service was only four months. In fact, Kerry started active military service in 1966. His first tour of duty in a war zone started in early 1968 on the guided missile frigate USS Ridley in the Gulf of Tonkin. In March 1969, John Kerry received his third Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for action in combat, according to the military record. An Army Green Beret, James Rassmann, was pulled out of the water by Kerry while under heavy fire, according to official records. Kerry received a Bronze Star and a third Purple Heart for this. A month earlier, Kerry had earned a Silver Star and his second Purple Heart in in a fireight where he killed a VC with a rocket launcher.

Sure Ranger Reily. You can disagree with Kerry's politics about the war in Vietnam. But shame on you for trying to his dismiss the brave war service of a brother in arms. Did you really think that jerks like GW Bush, Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, Wolfowitz or any of those other fakers know the first thing about what war is really all about? Kerry served with honor while Bush just partied. That is a fact.

[donklinestiver]

Amen

[jimpwhite]

Aloha Jon and thank you for sharing your thoughts on beliveing in Sen ,John Kerry, a combat veteran. What I was most impressed with was the moment of truth at the airport in the "Burgh" you shared in your article. When Sen Kerry asked you "how are you doing?". You shared for ten minutes, uninterupted and Sen Kerry listened. He listened and saw the "kinship" of understanding. This Moment Of Truth with his empathic listening is the core of a bond we as veterans have regardless of the political party, unit served and outside forces at work. He listened and you listened. An I would hope we will continue the dialog of experience, passion, and solutions that will give todays returning warriors and their families the platform to share. It continues to be my hope that for a moment others are, listening. Global Mahalo's for all you and vetvotes/vetvoice believes in, as I believe it is the community as a whole. In Hawaiian we call it "Okina" The spirit behind the word. Mahalo, jim

[beachmom]

Thanks, Jon, for this post. The way you lay it out, I never thought of it that way. Indeed, even Swiftboater John O'Neil owes his fame to John Kerry. Without John Kerry giving such compelling testimony, Nixon wouldn't have had to create out of whole cloth a rival veterans group.

[demfriend]

Jon I for one am so very glad you had the chance meeting with John Kerry and that through that contact you have become a spokesman for so many active duty and vets. By giving a voice to these troops past and present, you give a voice to many who have not made it home. Many I see are PTSD souls who want so badly to be heard and helped as they cannot make it all the way home without that help. Wounded Warriors Program does more than what was given post Vietnam and yet there must be more done because the mental wounds are still not really being addresses. Some whose mental break caused by their service don't always get the help they deserve. The bill in Congress addressing the needs and the deserving reservists who as "weekend warriors" are the ones falling through huge cracks. That you for your service to your country that has not ever ended Jon, you are a special full hearted man. Bless you.

[flacon]

Thank you for your service. However, if you continue to use people like Sen Kerry as a mentor or model, your message loses resonance. He was and remains a divisive political animal who is out of the mainstream of American thought.

I love HUFFPO. I enjoy learning the ideas of people who disagree with me. If you want a wider audience for your cause, you should choose your models carefully.

[Karencnj]

Out of the mainstream? An "out of the mainstream" politicians does not easily win a major party"s nomination. He was also well within the mainstream in 1971. That was what caused him to be the only antiwar voice feared by the Nixon administration. He was not radical.

He came within about 59,000 votes in Ohio from winning the Presidency against an incumbent President in a time of war, when 59% of the country said the country was doing very well or fairly well. (look at question 7 - http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/polls/usatodaypolls.htm?loc=interstitialskip )

I think you may be out of the mainstream.

[RangerReilly]

With all due respect to Mr. Soltz, John Kerry did nothing for Vietnam Veterans with the possible exception of advancing his own political career. His "Winter Soldier" testimony in front of the US Senate did more to smear the reputations of Vietnam Veterans than Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden could have ever hoped to accomplish. Kerry's distorted views of our service in Vietnam was the main reason veterans of that war were portrayed as losers and murderers. As for Kerry's service in the war, which was an abbreviated four months, he's never failed to brag about his own medals and his own self-promoted "heroism." Any combat veteran from Vietnam can see through John Kerry's hypocrisy in less than five minutes. As a longtime member of the 75th Ranger Regiment Association and a Combat Vietnam Veteran who fought with the Rangers, I can assure you that Kerry has never been welcome at any gathering of our association and is persona non grata to nearly everyone who ever served in Vietnam. He may have some latter-day veterans conned, but his insincerity and blatant opportunism can't fool the men who fought in Vietnam and never has. Believe me, if most veterans had any respect at all for Kerry, he would've easily won the 2004 presidential election. Kerry "reported for duty" a little too late. Over 35 years too late.

[Karencnj]

Have you ever completely read John Kerry's testimony. I have a Republican WWII vet relative who found the testimony, read it and his reaction was that he saw where he was coming from and that he was a good man. He voted for him.

The comments the Republicans abused were prefaced by Kerry saying that soldiersat the winter soldier hearing spoke of ...." The transcripts with those charges included the identifications of the people making those charges. The SFRC had the ability to investigate them; a 27 year old vet didn't. Kerry then went on to say that the war was being continued because politicians did not want to lose face. MacNamara wrote in Fog of War in the 1990s that he knew it was lost in 1968. That was before half the American lives were lost. He then spoke of the fact that the vets were not getting the medical care needed or the help transitioning back to society.

As to hurting the reputations of vets, I ask you with whom? The SFRC hearing was after my Lai was covered daily for months the year before. I know that among the college population, which was the most anti-war and potentially the most anti-vet population, Kerry's eloquent, moral speech changed opinions in a big way- but in a positive direction. Frankly, having Lt Kerry as the best know vet was a BIG BIG improvement over Lt Calley being the representative.

[Eric Strattoniii]

I have read it and I have also read his comments prior to his testimony and after the whole event, look at some of the people he supported that "testified" that turned out to not have even been in combat!! It is like the two clowns from "No Gun Ri" and numerous other times people have posed saying they did something they did not, a man name MacBeth of recent "Ranger" fame bring back any memories? Kerry is and was a disgusting example of someone who would sell his soul to advance his political career. He tried to run as a Rep. in my home District and got creamed because it was mostly blue collar Mill Towns who knew what he was really about. It was not until he moved to Represent places like Brookline and the Non-Vets there that he was elected. Nice try on the comparison of Calley as the rep for Vets from Vietnam, throw out some more names too, but ignore the 99% who did a good job and the 10% of those who were truly just incredible and courageous. Karencnj, I salute you for all of your common sense approach to history and your total lack of dedication to Kerry ;-)
Go Read "Stolen Valor", it is always good for a liberal with a slanted view of the military to read that.

[Karencnj]

Kerry actually serviced just short of 4 years in the Navy. He also spoke so infrequently of his medals, MA friends did not know he had any, just that he had served in the Navy and spoke before the SFRC. As to his heroism, it was the Navy that gave him the bronze star and the silver star. I also have met vets who voted for Kerry. A fellow skipper, who is now an editor for the conservative Chicago Tribune wrote an op-ed in 2004 supporting Kerry on the Silver Star. Marine Rassmann, the man Kerry saved, supported Kerry in 2004 even though he was a Republican former law enforcement officer. These people were REALLY there unlike the Republican linked liars - many of whom were not even in Vietnam at the same time, much less the same place.

As a veteran, you should have been offended by the way your official Republican delegates mocked the purple heart at their convention in 2004. This should have offended all vets. The Republicans could have attacked Kerry on his 1971 testimony or his Senate career. Instead they went for character assassination. It offends me that they mocked the real sacrifices a young John Kerry made, even though he was well connected enough that he like Cheney and Bush could have pulled strings to avoid going to Vietnam.

[Eric Strattoniii]

A lot of the folks at the "Winter Soldier" who testified turned out to have made stuff up, I wish it was not true but a lot of them did. Kerry went to Vietnam as a way to get into Office and then turned that service into a catalyst for his present term as a Senator. I have had to deal with him in MA for toooooo long and I have am not proud of his throwing medals back, accusing people of committing atrocities on a daily basis without a bit of fact to back it up and then pulling more of the same silly defeatist views in Iraq. Heck, a lot of the folks on the left want us out of Afghanistan too, yeah, we did not need to go there at all, right? ;-) As for MY Republicans Officials? Please!! lol! Both sides are a joke when it comes to that, did you start going on about the Dems attacks on McCain during this last election?
Here is the difference I think between you and I, I think both parties only care about the control and power they have and could give to craps about the actual Country, so please do not act like Mr. Kerry is a servant of the Public, he is a joke to me with not an ounce of integrity who had to Carpetbag around MA to get elected.

[Eric Strattoniii]

Lastly, being someone who has been to Iraq and Afghanistan, I can assure you that Officers get awards that are not due. Ever wonder why the USAF has given out so many Bronze Stars? Hmm...I must have missed the Air Battles over Iraq or Afghanistan! lol! They give them out as an administrative Award without the V for Valor. It is a fact that is and has always been true, Officers get awards most do not deserve. Purple Hearts are pretty cut and dried, the others are not. While I am glad he served and it is the only reason I voted for him against Weld (Weld did not serve) he is hardly a man of character or integrity who when he throws those awards away like they mean nothing, crapped on the very service he now holds so highly since it is politically the smart move and wants those same awards he threw away to mean something again but only due to politics, not actual caring.

[Eric Strattoniii]

Karencnj, also what are you talking about, spoke about them infrequently?? I lived in MA for most of my life, THEY WERE ALWAYS in the campaigns, as was his past and what he did with those same medals. When he tried to run in Lowell, MA he got creamed because the district was mostly a lot of old Mill Towns who had served and knew his deal. Stop being a parrot for him, he is not and will never be a good man. He did not serve out of duty, country or anything but a thought that he needed it for his political career at the time, it is still better than nothing but please stop acting like he enlisted under ideals other than his own selfish long term goals.

[Megan97401]

I think you meant Kerry would have easily won the 2004 election if it wasn't STOLEN.

[Warmglobe]

Yes and let's not forget that he threw someone else's medals over the White House fence.

[offred]

That's your loss.

Oh, and by the way, I'm sure the thousands of people injured in Iraq--civil, contractor, and military-- thank you for voting for that liar Bush.

Kerry told the truth. YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH.

[kepary]

remember when he threw someone else's medals over the white house wall

[Guytar]

John Kerry earned the Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and a couple of Purple Hearts as a young Swift Boat Commander in Vietnam. Some of those medals were earned while rescuing Army Rangers from harm's way, if I recall correctly. Meanwhile, frat boys and other idiots like GW Bush, Cheney, Rove and most of their cowardly crew avoided military service to the best of their ability. Colin Powell gets a pass, even Rumsfeld for Air Force sevice in WW2. But most of that gutless administration should be explaining why they talked so tough about war on cable news while their personal records of service were so non-existent or persistently evasive. The Republican Swift Boating campaign attack against Kerry in 2004 was unfortunately effective at the time because the media was just so dumb and clueless. Hopefully that kind of Owellian propaganda will never succeed again. John Kerry was a war hero. His political opponents in 2004 were a pack of lying cowards. That will be the political history written for decades.

[Berettasskeeter]

The Swift-Boaters, not the Republican Party, attacked Kerry for lying about his service!
Semper fi

[chuckvw]

And, of course, there was no connection between the two...