Too bad this got left out of the Veteran's Day stuff

[TayTay]

Speeches, bill-signing commemorate Veterans Day in Massachusetts
By GLEN JOHNSON

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/11-05/11-12-05/a04sr317.htm

(SNIP)

Amid the ceremony, representatives of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines delivered single roses to the white-clad Gold Star Mothers and Wives of deceased soldiers, paying special tribute to their sacrifice. Romney himself delivered the final one to Jodi Cabino-Cipriano of Franklin, whose 19-year-old son, Shayne Cabino, was killed in Iraq last month.

There are over 24 million veterans in the country; 500,000 of them are in Massachusetts.

Kerry, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, spoke after Taps echoed through the otherwise-empty building, his eyes glistening as he began, “I think it’s always hard to find any words after you listen to Taps.”

He went on the tell the story of Ed Wolfendale. He was a Marine who died in Vietnam just 17 days before he was scheduled to leave when he charged over a berm to defend his platoon. Wolfendale’s family never knew of his heroism until they were tracked down by Tom Smith, another Marine, some 30 years later. Wolfendale ended up receiving the Silver Star posthumously.

“That’s why we’re here today: To keep faith,” Kerry said. “Keep faith with our country. Keep faith with our values. Keep faith with our soldiers.”

And not to play petty politics and the 'blame game' on a solemn holiday that is supposed to show support for those who actually showed up to fight. I hate that nice stories like this got shoved aside in Bush's insane desire to make every veteran's event a partisan excuse to whack Democrats.

[whometense]

1. Nice story.

Glen Johnson too. Good to see he can give Kerry credit occasionally.

[beachmom]

2. Thanks so much for posting this

It still is amazing to me how emotional Kerry is. How could the media have gotten him so wrong last year?

[TayTay]

3. Yeah, and he kept the spirit of the day

He didn't attack anyone in his speech. He paid tribute to those who had served their country.

He only put out the press release about Bush after Bush's speech. One person is clearly qualified to be Pres. The other is a poser.

[jenndar]

4. What a great article.

It's always so moving to veterans who are still deeply connected to the time they served.

[whometense]

5. Veterans Day pictures!

(unfortunately sullied by the presence of Barbie Kerry and Mittens)

[TayTay]

6. These are great!

Who took them? (I can photoshop Romney out of the pics.)

Sen. Kerry took the day seriously and observed it with decorum and grace. Gov. Romney didn't embarrass me that day. (Well, it's something.)

-- Gov. Romney thinks I'm a reject. Oh Whome, I've been goin around work all day saying that. Gov. Romney is retahded, and he thinks I'm a reject. What a great campaign ad. (Even if it is fro an insurance thing.)

[whometense]

7. I got them

from Kerry's senate website, believe it or not.

The senate website is down at the moment, but look under photo galleries.

Edited to add - my husband et Barbie Kerry yesterday. Let's just say he didn't volunteer to help with her campaign.