A Period in Time
Comparisons between the Vietnam War and the ever-deepening spiral of civil war in Iraq seem to be everywhere these days. Pundits and opinion-makers have been underscoring the similarities between our untenable position in the Middle East of today 
and our untenable position in the Indochina of four decades past—often by quoting the famous question posed by a young Lieutenant John Kerry to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on April 23, 1971:
“How do you ask a man to be the last man to die in Vietnam? How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?”
As a Senator from Massachusetts, John Kerry’s thoughts and positions continue to be informed by the lessons he learned as a young man in Vietnam.
Senator Kerry has made a point of honoring the sacrifices of his brothers in arms at every opportunity. His efforts on behalf of the welfare and well-being of his fellow veterans have been a recurring hallmark of his service in the Senate, as in the recent passage of his amendment which provides $18 million in critical funding to the nation’s Veteran’s Administration (VA) Centers.
Further evidence of Senator Kerry’s deep commitment to his fellow veterans and to the brave troops currently serving on America’s behalf at home and abroad can be found in remarks like those he delivered on November 11, 2002 on the 20th anniversary of the dedication of the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.: <!Seven letters — that’s all it takes to make the word Vietnam.
But we know it is much more than a word. More than the name of a country. Vietnam. It is a period in time — it is a one-word encapsulation of history — a one-word summary of a war gone wrong, of families divided, generations divided, a nation divided. It carries in its seven letters all the confusion, bitterness, love, sacrifice and nobility of America’s longest war. It is a one-word all-encompassing answer to questions: What happened to him? Where was he injured? When did he change?
Say the word Vietnam to a veteran and you can smell the wood burning fires, hear the AK-47’s and B-52’s, see pajama-clad Viet Cong skirting a tree line and the helicopters darting across the sky — you can feel all the emotions of young men and women who in the end were fighting as much for their love of each other as for the love of country that brought them there in the first place.
Today we come here to remember and to memorialize forever all that was Vietnam. In doing so we do not just read the names and remember those who gave their lives. We remember and celebrate what they were and remain part of — a great nation committed to peace, individual liberty, freedom for all — a nation which outlined in the writing of a constitution fundamental rights which belong to every one of its citizens and which we remember today are worth dying for. Today — because of those engraved forever on these black panels — we celebrate rights and aspirations that are bigger than any individual and which each of us as individuals are willing to defend with life itself.
We celebrate the nobility of young Americans willing to go thousands of miles from home to fight for the notion that in the final measurement someone else’s freedom was connected to our own.
It doesn’t matter that politics got in the way. It doesn’t matter that leaders remained wedded to their own confusion. Nothing — not politics, not time, not outcome — nothing will ever diminish one iota the contributions of these brothers and sisters, nothing can ever lessen the courage with which they waged war. Nothing reduces the magnitude of their sacrifice, nothing can take away the quality of their gift to their nation.
[...] The Vietnam soldiers, airmen and sailors fought with as much conviction, as much commitment, as much courage and as much selfless sacrifice as soldiers in any war. And we did so with love of country and love of fellow soldiers as great as any despite our nation’s political divisions at home and the difficult circumstances we were required to confront. This memorial will forever remind the generations to come of that special spirit — the special bond of soldier to country and soldier to soldier.
And we remember today also with pride at the outcome — that for our generation of veterans the war did not end when we came home. For us the fight continued — the recognition honoring our deeds came when veterans pushed for it — Agent Orange, outreach centers, extension of the GI Bill — increased funding for Veterans Affairs , these all happened because veterans remembered their brothers and sisters and never stopped fighting to keep faith with the promise to veterans.
We also remember those soldiers captured by the enemy who did not return and those we’ve yet to account for. One of the things we are most proud of is that we initiated the most extensive, exhaustive accounting for the missing or captured in all the history of human warfare. No nation has ever gone to such lengths to remember and to account their missing. Today — because of the veterans of Vietnam — when we send our young men and women into harm’s way, never again will we allow anyone to be left behind. Never will it take so long to find and bring every one home.
The truth is that every advance we’ve made on behalf of our veterans has been the result of the commitment of veterans to each other and their vows never to give up the fight. This Wall itself grew out of that spirit.
That spirit bonded men and women together — making us more than we were when we left for Vietnam, and didn’t diminish once we had returned. Each panel, each name, tells the story of that journey.
[...] That is why we come here today. To keep faith. To celebrate the 58,226 brave men and women who didn’t return from Vietnam, who knew the Lord’s words that “There is no greater love than sacrificing yourself for a friend.” And so, it is in that spirit that we remember all who fought with our brothers and sisters — for our families — for our nation. God bless them all and may God bless the United States of America.
[Editor’s Note: This post was written by guest JK blogger Otter. Thanks for bringing this back to the forefront of our memories.]
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Senator Kerry continues to be right on issue after issue facing this country.
He is despised by some who prefer not to see any blemishes in America’s efforts. Who prefer to hide behind the rhetoric of illusion and Orwellian speech than to deal with the reality of the crises facing our nation.
But leadership in America cannot consist of words that deny reality. Saying “You’re doing a great job!” did not make our Katrina response any better. Saying the lesson of Vietnam was that ‘we can succeed if we do not quit’ will not make it so. And saying that if Democrats win then terrorists win, will not bring peace any closer, will not close the gaps between political parties and will not advance our nation towards anything but divisiveness.
It is no longer acceptable sending any more Americans to die, lose their limbs, or incur life-long trauma for a mistake and a lie.
We cannot continue to pour $2 billion a week into a civil war in which neither side represents a vision of the future for Iraq. We are not advancing democracy, we are not decreasing terrorism in this nation, and we are not providing for our own domestic needs whether it be for healthcare, education, or our own infrastructure.
The literal and financial hemorrhage needs to stop.
Thank you Senator Kerry for being outspoken, for being on the ‘front-line’ for all of us! America needs your frank discussion and your courageous efforts on behalf of our country.
Robert Freedland
John Kerry for President 2008
Thanks for posting this speech. It must have been a very emotional speech for Senator Kerry to deliver; I’m filled with emotion reading it. Senator Kerry’s genuine care and concern for our troops and respect for their courage and sacrifice is evident.
Thank you for printing that speech. It was very moving.
When I read about soldiers left behind, this reminded me of that Iraqi American soldier who was kidnapped in October, I believe. Sadr City was sealed off, but then Maliki ordered our troops out of the area, and they obliged. I was just wondering if anyone knows what is happening on the search for him.
“That is why we come here today. To keep faith.”
To knowingly swiftboat the very essence of John Kerry, his connection towards the troops, makes the tactic all the more appalling.
Beautiful, wise and heartfelt words.
Speaking of time, just this week Senator Kerry became 23,000 days old. Over those thousands of days, Kerry has been through a lot and has learned much over this longevity, and clearly applies those lessons through his compassion for fellow veterans and the common people.
Thank you, Senator Kerry. As a citizen of Massachusetts, I am proud to have you as my public servant. Keep up the good work in the 110th Congress.
On another note, regarding this generation’s Vietnam, the incredibly stubborn President Bush has rejected the Baker commission’s sensible but watered-down proposal for what to do next in Iraq. They agree with your conclusion that we need to redeploy to save the Iraqis, but foolishly don’t push for a fixed timetable. But that’s really naught, as Bush has pledged not to follow this realistic direction.
I think it’s time that you and the rest of the Democratic leadership start to consider threatening to cut off funding for the war come January. With Bush’s inflexibility, it may be the only way to end this immoral war. Nobody wants to see the troops put in more danger than they already are, but Congress has the power of the purse and we may have to utilize that power to ensure that the Democratic mandate of November 7 is enforced.
There are many things a dem Congress can do to effect some kind of change in Bush’s foreign policy in Iraq. Cutting off funding for the troops should not be one of them. Any proposal that cuts the spending for the Iraq war will affect our troops in a very negative way. Our troops are already functioning without armored humvees and body armor which is a travesty. Dems in Congress should make sure that the troops have what they need. Dems should not punish the troops by cutting the funding for this war. Dems should do everything in their power to make sure that our troops have all the tools they need to do their jobs.
Senator,
I read in the Globe noises (obviouslynon attributed) that you were reconsidering your decision to run and postponing it until late April.
I certainly hope that you do not let yourself be taken out of this race because of Hillary and some other Democrats’s stupidity.
We need adults to run this country, and nowhere is it as important as in the White House, so please, run!
Kerry 08.
Posted by FrenchGirlFromMA | December 2, 2006 7:22 AM
Hey FrenchGirl!
I agree that the Senator shouldn’t let the recent media flap influence his decision for ‘08. And I don’t think he will. In the end, I believe all the nonsense over jokes and polls says more about the admin and the media’s attention to non-issues and about the weak in the Dem party who are willing to sacrifice their principles to gain some cheap points with the public than it does about Sen Kerry.
Every potential ‘08 Dem candidate will be scrutinized by the media, and none will make it through unscathed. The question is only who will be next.
What they don’t take into account is that the vast majority of Americans are starting to see through the BS and are tired of swiftboating and want real answers to the real issues. That’s what Sen Kerry has to show the American people, and he will.
Mark Barrett puts this all in perspective at The Premise:
Several weeks ago Hillary Clinton was on fire, Barack Obama was a curiosity, John Kerry was dead, John McCain was a lock and Mitt Romney was worth a chuckle.
This week Hillary Clinton is out of touch, Barack Obama is on fire, John Kerry is being interviewed by the Iraq Survey Group, John McCain is looking nervous and Mitt Romney is being attacked from all sides — which is to say he’s finally being taken seriously.
more at:
http://thepremise.com/archives/12/01/2006/747
I’ve heard the arguments that funding should be cut off, but what would happen to our troops if we did that? Can the Congress say, “You have 1 million to airlift the soldiers out now! There is nothing more.”
Also, maybe what they should do is start investigations on Haliburton and make other war profiteers pay the US Treasury for the privilege of being there.
Another suggestion is to pass laws against war profiting and watch Halliburton run for the hills. Then we’d get them home.
GV
Personally, I think it’s awful that Nov. 8th people were announcing their ‘exploratory’ committees. First, it’s like the best known secret anyways. Second, give Congress a time to get in there and make a difference.
I for on will keep my eyes on McCain and Hillary. NOt because they’re front runners, but because I see them as not leading with the best interest of the people in their heart.
My God! McCain has rolled over more times than Rover my dog! That says quite a lot for someone who I once voted for.
That concerns me! McCain has lost his way and has aligned himself with the dark side.
Either way, it’s still too early. I don’t like how early the Presidential races run.
I’d also like Congress to pass a law for publically funded campaigns and ditch the whole lobby thing. But Bush would veto that for sure.
Susan,
There should abosolutely be investigations into war profiteering, and subsequent laws in that regard. I wouldn’t be surprised if that was on the agenda of when the 110th congress convenes.
Cutting funding for the military can be done in a targetted fashion. Money can be allocated to some areas while withheld in others, so no troops would have to suffer. (At least we would hope that that is how congress would deal with this particular issue.)
http://blog.johnkerry.com/2006/11/talking_to_larry.html
GV,
I just discovered your responses to me in the earlier thread.
I’ll look up the economic information. I’ll have to see how they translate in English for me.
Regarding the K/F Bill, I think people don’t understand the differences in all the names of these bills and they pick a favorite ‘personality’ to support. That’s one reason why I was impressed with the interviews with what JK said.
He seemed willing to do what was right for the troops—number one, and number two he seemed like he wanted the Congress and President to work together and get a real strategic plan. (And that would help the troops!)
He didn’t sit there and say, “Well…MY PLAN….” ...“Well, MY PLAN…” had he done that, then I would have felt it was selfishly motivated and politically motivated. Instead I heard a person seeking a real solution.
I’d still like to see Reid, Levin, Kerry, Feingold, Boxer all put their heads together and knock out a compromise…one that WOULD hold Bush accountable with some sort of exit strategy, time tables, and humanitarian aid for the Iraqis people which includes jobs (for them not for Halliburton) and a quick rebuilding of their infrastructure.
Hope this makes sense.
Posted by Kerstin | December 2, 2006 10:55 AM
How do they know if Bush will ‘follow’ their targeted funding? After all, Bush stole Afghanistan money and directed it to the Iraq war—and he still didn’t do it right!
I’m not a young person. This ain’t my first rodeo. I’ve been around awhile and I’ve always paid a lot of attention to politics. I’m cynical as hell and I’m not easily impressed.
And your guy here is pretty much just about the only nationally-ranked politician out there today that doesn’t peg my built-in b.s. meter way into the red zone.
Maybe that doesn’t sound like much of a compliment to some folks. But as far as I’m concerned, it’s a really big one.
Posted by Tia | December 2, 2006 11:03 AM
Honestly, I don’t know if there are any ways to safeguard the funding earmarked for specific operations from being diverted to something else. That’s something congress would have to work out.
Otter - thank you for this post. That is a wonderful speech.
Charles - you pretty well described the reason I’ve become a big supporter of Senator Kerry. Most other politicians peg my b.s. meter pretty quickly, too. But I see much more sincerity and consistency with Kerry than I do with the others, and that means a lot to me.
Posted by Charles | December 2, 2006 11:44 AM
for Charles—
oh, YEAH. You said it!!! You said it all, you said it better than anyone. This is the best comment I’ve read in weeks.
Thanks a ton—you made my day!
Posted by Charles | December 2, 2006 11:44 AM
First off, welcome to the JohnKerry.com community.
That is a very big compliment and Senator Kerry is the real deal. I wish there were more like him, this country would be far better off.
Charles,
You hit the nail right on the head.
Americans are sick and tired of politicians that will literally say anything to keep their power. Americans want a leader who will stand on principle, offer realistic solutions to our country’s problems, and remember that we are all - rich and poor alike - one America. John Kerry is that person. Should he decide to run, I can’t wait for him to get out on the campaign trail and show Americans what a real leader is.
Charles,
I think you made a lot of days with that comment. Now, got any ideas about how we can get that out to a LOT of other people?
This is such a good example of what some of us hear from Kerry that makes us shake our heads when someone says he is a boring speaker.
How can you hear and read some of these speeches without feeling like someone just said things you wish you could have put into words?
Posted by Ginny in CO | December 2, 2006 3:31 PM
____________________________________________________________
You know Ginny, I don’t think it is so much that people think Kerry is a boring speaker, but rather it takes some degree of patience to listen to what he has to say. He doesn’t speak in bumper sticker sound bites, and that is what Americans are accustomed to (think MTV and fifteen second commercials). His comments are directed at complex issues which deserve thoughtful suggestions. Those suggestions necessarily require more complex explanations. Many people really don’t want to work when somebody is supposed to be the one providing the answers. John Kerry’s comments require some intellectual processing and that is work for many people.
Therefore I think that one of the ways we can help people better understand and be more comfortable with Senator Kerry’s proposals is to remind them that complex problems do not always have simple answers.
I think there are others who feel differently, and I am curous to hear their opinions.
Good comments here today. I’m really thinking hard about what draws people to one candidate over another.
People say JK has no ‘personality’ or is unfriendly, but I’ve seen him with people and he’s warm and caring and even funny.
I think it boils down to the media.
We need a media revolution. And JK needs to NEVER give the media any ground. He needs to stop them in their tracks and fight back.
That’s all I can think of.
I think we’re going to start to see more reactions like this one once the ISG report comes out next week. Not that I anticipate the recommendations will be as strong as Kerry/Feingold, but I think they’ll share some of the same components.
snip
“Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry at the time offered a plan for a negotiated settlement that is strikingly similar to the initial word leaking out of the Iraq Study Group. Kerry called, in part, for negotiations involving key regional players such as Iran and Syria. If the entire nation was giving up its flesh and blood—or even forced to open its wallet—would we have groped for an exit strategy two years ago?”
(read more at: http://tinyurl.com/y4zt22 )
And Charles, you may be ‘not young’ and cynical, but you’re aces in my book.
I’m a registered Republican. My political tradition is the Republican version of Progressivism, tempered by a family inheritance of old-fashioned Midwestern conservatism. And I have to say that quite a few Republicans don’t like fearmongering and negativity in politics either. In particular, some of us totally reject our party leadership’s false claim that Republicans somehow have a monopoly of wisdom about issues of national security. Like all untruths and all attempts to establish monopolies, this one has the dangerous consequence of shutting down debate and innovation. It has been toxic to both political parties and to the country. Hopefully the verdict of the midterm elections signals that more people are beginning to see through it.
Senator Kerry, thank you for setting high expectations and trusting that Americans will live up to them. Thank you for steadily reminding all of us—regardless of party—that we should not be afraid, should think for ourselves, and should act on what we believe. That openness and confidence was what most attracted me to your ship in 2004, and it’s still a major factor that keeps me here by choice. I appreciate the chance to learn something about practical politics here, and to give something back when I can.
Peace to all.
Posted by Civitas | December 2, 2006 6:25 PM
Great post, Civitas. It’s good to hear that there are Republicans out there like you. I know a few, but your voices seem not to be heard very often above the din.
I hope that both parties can work together toward common goals, and that the new Congress will start that in motion. There’s a lot of work to do.
Thanks for being here. You add an important and welcome perspective.
Posted by Civitas | December 2, 2006 6:25 PM
Welcome to the John Kerry community. Thanks for your excellent comment.
I think you are exactly right in saying “That openness and confidence was what most attracted me to your ship in 2004, and it’s still a major factor that keeps me here by choice. ” Thanks for having JK’s back, because as you know he definitely has ours.
All I can say is
John Kerry please run for President.