Memorial Day-- Cheapened by Swift Vets

On Memorial Day it may be appropriate to study how the efforts of veterans are not always recognized, and in some cases are minimized. Last year’s assault on presidential candidate John Kerry’s veteran status is an excellent example of how even the political right will happily desecrate military distinctions for political gains. Remember the “Swift Vets for Truth”?

Everyone agreed that John Kerry was awarded three purple hearts and a bronze star -- that was not being debated. The controversy centered on how the awards were earned. Many, led by the Swift Boat Vets for Truth, indicated that Kerry’s injuries were superficial and his heroism was questionable. If true, it tacitly implied that the military had loose standards to bestow these honors of recognition and heroism. Were these distinctions given for the asking? Did Kerry get his Purple Heart in the box with the Band Aid? I was always confident that there was a high standard, a system, a basis for these most meritorious military decorations. Apparently not, if the Swift Vets are correct.

When I see the Purple Heart on a vet’s license plate or I hear about instances of war injury or valor, I reflect upon the contribution and sacrifice. A vet’s service and trials should command immediate respect; at least this is what I was always taught. Now the Swift Vets tell me that this esteemed combat decoration is simply obtained for negligible injury and misrepresented acts. Clearly this is how Kerry did it, if I understand the Swift Vets, radio personalities and political pundits correctly.

I always thought it was much more than that.

Let's not forget the assertions of this group of political activists. If time tells that the Swift Vets for Truth have tarnished the high symbolism of these recognitions to influence a political process, it is a deplorable disservice to those that sustained combat injuries, oftentimes lethal, or exhibited acts of combat heroism. Post-conscription generations do not revere the sacrifices made by those that served (and continue to serve) our country with such valor. A generation of heroes is dying daily and we are losing touch with all they gave at such a critical watershed in our history. To cheapen the value of earned military medallions by implying they are essentially free for the asking is a sad disservice to soldiers and families that endured physical hardship as part of their sacrifice. It is healthy to scrutinize a presidential candidate, but not with unsubstantiated allegations that diminish the value, symbolism and merit of meaningful military distinctions.