Kerry's military service

John Kerry's mantra for the 2004 presidential election has been "I'm a war hero." The Democrats love to point out that President Bush served in the National Guard.

Recently, Kerry's military record has come under attack by the Swift Boat Veterans for truth and other Vietnam veterans. John O'Neill, the naval officer that took over John Kerry's Swift Boat, has written the book, "Unfit for Command." Kerry's campaign maintains that these attacks are political and don't need to be investigated. O'Neill says Kerry tried to get a student deferment during the Vietnam war but it was denied. On February 18, 1966, he enlisted in the United States Naval Reserves, status "inactive," not the U. S. Navy. After one month of training, he received three Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and a Silver Star in three months of combat duty. Two of the Purple Hearts were for self-inflicted wounds due to Kerry's errant grenade throws. Some of his shipmates and commanders don't think that he deserved the other decorations.

Kerry was a great self promoter. His only injuries required tweezers and band aids. He was never hospitalized.

Perhaps the current attacks are politically motivated, but there is a simple counter for these charges. The media has been pressuring to get Bush's complete National Guard records. Meanwhile, conveniently, they forgot that Kerry hasn't released his complete military and medical records. He should immediately release these. The press should demand it. What is Kerry hiding?

The accusations of these swift boat servicemen should be investigated now before the election, not after it. Somebody's lying.

Kathleen Bollinger, Fawn Township