My 85 yr old uncle wants to kick the crap out of the Swiftboaters

I have an 85 year old uncle (actually my Dad's first cousin) who called me today. He's a WWII vet and is going blind, has some kidney problems and just wanted to talk. He said he's had some problems with the VA and that they sent him a huge bill for medical treatment when he wasn't expecting any bill, so he called Sen. John Kerry's office and asked to speak to Sen. Kerry. He said the staff there was very nice but told him Sen. Kerry's schedule was very busy, that it was "impossible" for them to connect him directly to Sen. Kerry but that they would try to help him out. Well, he wouldn't have any of it and only wanted to speak to Kerry, so he told them, "Just make sure you give my message to Senator Kerry. I'm a WWII vet and I spend 4 years overseas. The VA is driving me crazy sending me bills. I need your help. There aren't many of us left."

A few days later his phone rang and the caller says, "Hello, John Kerry here." My uncle, ever the skeptic, says, "You're full of shit", thinking it was an imposter. Well, my uncle said he heard laughter on the phone and then the caller said, "Joe, I am really John Kerry. You called my office a few days ago looking for help with the VA. How can I help you?"

So my uncle told him his story and Kerry said he'd be glad to help. My uncle asked why he took the time to call some "oldtimer" from NJ and Kerry said, "You said it in your message. There aren't many of you left."

A few weeks later my uncle got a letter from the VA apologizing for their "clerical error" and cancelling the bill.

So my uncle says that he is going to call Kerry up again to make sure he runs for President "because he cares about us vets." He also said the "guys" at the VA, most of whom are up in their 80s like my uncle, have been openly talking about "marching" in Washington to protest the Bush cuts to veterans and are hopping mad about them.

for the defamation of character that he suffered

The election is over, and nothing is going to change that, but hitting them in the pocket book may teach them a lesson

In addition, these swift boaters bullies will continue their vomit unless someone stands up to them. THIS IS FOR PRINCIPLE

They not only attacked Kerry, they falsely attacked others. If they aren't held accountable for their actions then they will continue to spew the lies

if you are not going to enlighten me what is so "obvious" to you

It isn't that obvious to me

that was so nice to read. Thanks goodnesses someone posted it or we'd never have heard about it. Go John Kerry!

I'm assuming you're on the level and this happened. Please, for the love of God, this is a wonderful story, and more people need to hear it.

I'm sure that most mid-size newspapers would be glad to print such a piece.

oh, and I've reccomended this for Greatest. Hope more do.

I am going to visit him over the weekend and will suggest it. Though nearly blind he is very articulate, an excellent story teller and I'm sure he'd be happy to do it.

But do get this story out there. It needs to be told.

a letter or editorial especially if the person is physically incapacitated, just read it back to him and make sure it's an accurate reflection of what he said.

there are any number of bloggers (including myself: http://www.welovejohnkerry.com ) who'd love to post it and help your uncle spread the word.

Thanks for sharing this story.

:toast:

I love your website! :hi:

And thank you!

you get this out there.

If you get the permission I have the bandwidth.

ever get told. Please go for it.:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :popcorn: :popcorn:

:woohoo:

and thank the man for his service for me.

vets, especially to those elderly vets on fixed incomes. Like BushInc just wants them to hurry up a pass on and get them off the rolls.

I say they should MARCH and we should march with them.

for their defamation of good people

and it's where I disagree with Kerry. But, he really does have an honor thing about other vets - while he wants any lie to be countered with the facts, he really doesn't want to lay hurt on them as individuals because he truly respects their service. Some of the vets are just old guys who were manipulated into it, and it leaves a man like Kerry who really cares about them in a moral bind.

It's about time the voices of the veterans who are getting shafted get heard!
Thanks for sharing the story. We need more positive news, but I know they are hard to find these days.

Good for your uncle, and good for John Kerry! I hope your uncle gets a chance to kick some swiftlair butt. :bounce:

on behalf of this man and on behalf of all veterans who need and deserve care.

:patriot:

I have several uncles that are WWII vets and by and large they are very conservative. One of them died last year and the others are in failing health.

I'm hoping many people will realize that when someone fights for our freedom, we are obligated to take care of them. This has been a major failure for decades in this country, but it has gotten totally out of hand in the past 5 years.

I hope they march soon because they really don't have much time left.

brothers fought in WWII - one in the navy, one - army & one - marine. He is lucky that all still living. I was lucky enough 2 be w/ all of them last summer & yes for some unexplained reason they are all conservative * voters. My dad used the GI bill to learn a trade; belonged to a union. Because of that union, he & my mom enjoy a healthy pension and excellent health care coverage. AND they are raisin brain worshipers...I just don't get it.

And if my uncle was alive, he'd be marching with your uncle. He was a WWII vet and he ended up having to move out of state, to be with family so that he could get better access to a VA hospital. It royally pissed him off. He was so angry at how hard it was getting to just get treatment...

Give your uncle a hug from me the next time you see him. :)

Kudos to your uncle. :kick:

This is a fantastic story - Thanks for posting it.

Thanks for sharing. K&R! :kick:

Kick for Kerry's kindness and your uncles' service1

:toast:

It warmed my heart. I laughed out loud when your uncle told Kerry he was full of shit (thinking it was an imposter)!

Thanks for sharing.

I volunteer to hold 'em down for him. Also tell him thank you for me.

President John Kerry (sigh)

That is a great story. And, media reports to the contrary, it rings true. That sounds exactly like something he would have done.

and kicked. Thank you so much.

Way to go Kerry! That is really a heartwarming story.

We need more people like your uncle.

Crusty old bastid, isn't it? The senator from Massachusetts has lots of constituents like that so I'm sure he enjoyed that conversation.

Cutting benefits to seniors, vet or no, is shameless.

Thank you for sharing

That is an awesome story. Even as a staunch Kerry supporter, sometimes the depth of his grace and compassion still amazes me.

Well, the VA shouldn't be making mistakes in the first place, but . . .

great story! Thanks for posting it.

The media might be interested in guys this old marching on Washington with canes and wheeled chairs.

This is vintage Kerry, isn't it? Really cares about our veterans.

Imagine what could of and should of been. What a shame.

How very, very, very sad.

Please send your uncle our love from DU :grouphug: and best wishes for his health to improve, and many beautiful days yet to share with you.

Oh and this too:

:patriot:

my Dad a WWII vet, proudly voted for Kerry. I'm glad Kerry called, he does things like that, because he cares, he is the real deal. :patriot:

K&R :kick:

k&r

and Sen. Kerry!

I met him when he came to Mississippi in 2004. He was pretty cool. And I got on the news to boot! :-)

Your uncle's response gave me my first good laugh of the day!:D And I thank him and you for that.

Kerry is up there as of the greatest Senators America has ever had.

I'll bet Senator Kerry enjoyed talking to your uncle. He loves vets and has been fighting very hard to beat Bush and the Repugs back on the cuts to veterans benefits.

The "full of shit" quote is classic. And I love a story with a happy ending!

for these stories - we need a place to go to to read and reread some of the hopeful stuff - the anecdotal short spots of hope. I love the changing party stories and one slike this!

made even me cry a bit........


I needed that!

Can we get an Amen?

until he read it in "Legion" magazine. He's about the same age as your uncle. Turned him off Bush even though Bush is "pro-life", which is THE key issue in their house.

Vets know when they're getting screwed, and they VOTE on those issues.

is pro Death in everything but having the govmint intrude in the lives of women and their bodies and he only does that for pandering.

Say what you will, he's a man of integrity.

And that swiftboat liars shit? And the Purple Heart bandaids shit? That stuff is going to bite them in the ass for YEARS to come. The whole republican party. That was some of the nastiest stuff I've EVER seen. NO ONE who claims to support the troops should have been happy with that shit. But yet, there they were, happy as clams to have their side lie about veterans and make fun of honorable service and medals.

SCUM.

punch to the military and veterans. First bush* starts a needless war based on lies which takes a heavy toll on the military, then he shits all over the veterans by cutting their benefits and then throws them to the proverbial wolves. I shake my head in disgust every time the old bush*/war president/friend of the military meme is trotted out. What a world. A decorated, bona fide war hero is slimed by the chicken hawk awol deserter.

Just cause I love Kerry, and this deserves it!

Story to me..it really does pay to listen to people. I wish there were a way for Real Vets to get together and counter the swiftliars EN MASSE!

.

It's too bad John Kerry made the fatal mistake of conceding so quickly. He really is a wonderful person, but that concession cost him 2008 as well as 2004.

Good for him! God, that's really something. Here these guys defend us against the real Nazis and Imperial Japan, and the VA tries to deny them treatment.
That's dreadful.
Glad it turned out good for your uncle.

I love it!

Good for our war hero. War heroes.
:patriot:

I loved re-reading this story. Here's hoping it's spread beyond DU.

Thanks for the story...k&r, baby.

I'm not the least bit surprised. For all the swiftboating, bandaids and other attacks at Sen Kerry's service that the media is only too happy to promote, I wonder how many people know the extent of his legislative support of vets and active service members.
Here's a list of Sen Kerry's recent pro-vet, pro-troop legislation (and this does not include S1993, SRES470, SJRES33, and SJRES36, related to withdrawl from Iraq).
In contrast, Sen McCain sponsored an amendment to rename the Naval Reserve the Navy Reserve. That's got to help someone?

and their high paid executives who need all that extra dough to get their fourth vacation home and their mistress's boob job needs another tweaking.

These assholes are trying to ruin the lives of fellow veterans with a pack of lies. Its surprising more vets arent wanting to kick the shit out of the swiftboat liars.

Ive always thought they had each others backs.