Readers' Forum letter:
No medals needed to criticize lawmaker
[NOTE: this letter appeared in the Aug. 23, 2006 print edition of
the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat's Readers' Forum. The newspaper did not
include it on their website. BootMurtha.com has obtained permission
from its author to publish it in full.]
In his Aug. 16 Readers' Forum letter, "Congressman earned veterans'
respect," James Shrift suggests that no veteran should criticize U.S.
Rep. John Murtha.
Shrift asks, "Do they honestly believe they can compare their service
record to (Murtha's)?"
The short answer is, yes.
The long answer is twofold:
Murtha, like Sen. John Kerry, refuses to release his military records.
My husband, retired Lt. Col. Harry Beam, is more than willing to
release his record and compare it to Murtha's.
If such a comparison would be made, my husband's Silver Star, Bronze
Stars, Purple Heart, Vietnamese Cross for Gallantry, his unit's
Presidential Unit Citation and Valorous Unit Citation more than
qualify him to criticize Murtha.
If you check the congressman's Web site, you will find extracts from
his record that lead one to believe that he requested awards of the
Purple Heart several months after he returned from Vietnam. My husband
received his Purple Heart while he was in Vietnam. Murtha's Bronze
Star was awarded about 18 months after his return. Why so long?
Shrift also states, "A true vet will not find fault with ... a veteran
such as Murtha." Murtha acted as judge and jury prior to any formal
investigation or trial when he accused our troops of murdering
innocent civilians. He has undercut our military for personal
political gain.
That is one of the major reasons why my husband invited the Veterans
for the Truth to hold a national rally here in Johnstown on Oct. 1.
This is America. No sterling combat record is necessary in order to
criticize a representative.
Judy Beam
Johnstown, PA
Murtha voted to
re-institute the draft,
then said Americans shouldn't join the military
Jan. 7, 2003 Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) introduced bill H.R. 163 in
Congress to reinstate the military draft. It came up for vote on Oct.
5, 2004. Only two congressmen voted for it: Pete Stark (D-CA) and
John Murtha. Even Rangel voted against it. [Roll
Call Vote]
But here's the twist: after voting in favor of compulsory military
service, Murtha turned around and said he would not join the military
today, nor should others:
[ABC Nightline, Jan. 2006]
NIGHTLINE: Would you join (the military) today?
MURTHA: No.
NIGHTLINE: And I think you're saying the average guy out there who's
considering recruitment is justified in saying 'I don't want to
serve'."
MURTHA: Exactly right.
Congressman Murtha is a fraud. He votes for the draft, then tells
Americans they should not join the military.
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