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Kerry should release his military records if he wants to silence critics. Date published: 10/12/2004
TWO RECENT ITEMS in The Free Lance-Star prompt me to respond. In the first, "Service debate distracts" [Sept. 26], Norm Mosher, chairman of the Lancaster County Democratic Committee, says, "I think the president should let it go and tell those Swift-boat liars to get back in their holes." Then, in a letter to the editor ["Didn't Bush find Guard enticing 'escape hatch?'" Sept. 27], Lewis P. Fickett Jr. writes, "For the most important job in the land, should we prefer a three-time Purple Heart winner (John Kerry), or a person whose military track record borders on the fictional (Mr. Bush)?" Two Democrats--one, stating we should get off the service debate, the other stating it should be the most important evaluation point. I remind them both that it was Kerry who made it the centerpiece of his campaign. Mosher, claiming to be a veteran, dishonors 200 real veterans from Kerry's unit, who served their full tour and more, received numerous decorations that were "really" deserved, and now fear for the future of their country. How can he call them "liars" and tell them to "get back in their holes"? Does he know anything at all about them, or will he say anything to get Kerry elected? I wish I could convince them both to read even the cover of "Unfit for Command," the book in which the Swift-boat veterans lay out the case against Kerry's three months of combat, and his fictitious Purple Hearts and other awards. These 200 men are Republicans, Democrats, independents; conservatives and liberals. They possess a common knowledge of Kerry's lack of fitness, character, and loyalty--qualities indispensable to successful command of anything, much less to being commander in chief. Why would 200 men suddenly come together after 35 years to tell their story? They all feel that he is unfit for command. If Fickett and others really want the truth, ask Kerry to sign Standard Form 180, which would release all of his military records. Some have gone to court to get President Bush to do just that, but they will not demand the same for Kerry. Why is that? What is Kerry hiding? I am a retired Marine who served in Vietnam with two Marine infantry battalions, and I am totally disgusted when I compare the men I knew who were wounded and killed to Kerry. Two of his wounds were self-inflicted. None resulted in hospitalization, loss of duty time, or anything more than a Band-Aid. Kerry is an imposter who has succeeded in pulling the wool over the eyes of many. He is not what we need to protect us from terrorism. I hope no one responds, saying I am all wet unless they look at the book and ask Kerry to release his records. RICHARD A. DELANEY of Culpeper retired from the Marine Corps as a lieutenant colonel.
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
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