This is a copy of a email I sent to Bill O'Reilly at Fox News.
Dear Mr. Bill O'Reilly:
My name is Jerry Gaffney. I am a Vietnam Vet who spent almost 7 months on the amputee ward at Oak Knoll Naval hospital in Oakland CA after Tet in 1968. I was in 1st Battalion 1st Marines 1st Marine Division. I am a minister today. Now Mr. Oreilly I fought and almost gave my life so you could have the NO SPIN factor. I have enjoyed your programs over the years. I have not agreed with all of your positions but I have enjoyed them.
Now comes my problems. Sir we are almost the same age. I volunteered for Vietnam. I was attending the University of Nebraska in 1965. My father was already in the military and I did not have to go. I though it was my duty to my country and my family. You did not make that sacrifice. So again here is my problem.
You have no right to look other Vietnam Veterans in the face and tell us how to feel about John Kerry. I do support and understand the men who support him and I support the men who do not. If 19 commanders feel a man with only 120 days in country and less then 90 days on the front lines is not fit. Who do you think you are to tell us otherwise.
My friend you were not there. Some think you took the gutless way out so how dare you make a decision on something you do not know about. I fought for your right to speak your mind on what you know. You have no right to tell me or the other officers how to feel. Some of them were on the boats right next to Kerry. If they feel like he was a 90 wonder who are you to say otherwise. You are acting just like the Clintonites and the Kerryites who attack the messenger. Shame on you.
The Doctor that treated Kerry says he faked it. He has a right to say that. The commanders who were on patrol boats right next to Kerry say he faked it. Who are you to say otherwise. The spin the democrats like to say is and I quote: "none of these men were on the boat with Kerry". What a distortion of the truth. These men were the boat commanders right next to Kerry. If any one would know they would know. They would know what the other men said when they came off patrol. They would know what Kerry said when he came off patrol. Who are you to say otherwise.
Now to say because a man only spent 90 days in action in a war 30 years ago makes him fit to be commander and chief is the craziest thing I have ever heard. O'Reilly stop the spin now. Let us Vets do our job.
You see I have some Vietnamese friends. No one talks about the price they paid after we left Vietnam. No one talks about the mass murders of all those who trusted us to help them. No one talks about the 3,000,000 who died in Cambodia because we ran. Is that what you want in Iraq. That's what Michael More wants.
You cowered out with Michael More when he backed you into a corner. He said name any country that found freedom from war. How about France, Germany and now all of eastern Europe. We spilled our blood for them.
If Kerry has his way he will run from Iraq and leave tens of thousands to die in the streets. And as I personally heard Jan Fonda say about Vietnam, "that is ok because they are choosing their own destiny".
O'Reilly I don't think you will ever read this but it felt good saying it.
I am going to post it as on open letter on my website. It is the largest prayer board on the internet.
So if a real person does read this thank you for taking the time to let this old warrior vent for a few minutes.
Thank You
Jerry Gaffney
Two million Americans served in Vietnam with 500,000 seeing actual combat. The latest number of killed in action totaled 47,244. In addition there were 10,446 non-combat deaths while 153,329 Americans were seriously wounded, including 10,000 amputees and over 2400 American POWs/MIAs. I am one of them and I am proud of it.
Posted by: Frederik
And most importantly why should all these men lie and Kerry tell the truth?
This doesn't make much sense.
Posted by: JG
Thank You Frederik:
You are a true friend.
Posted by: Frederik
No problem.
Posted by: StarChilde
I thank You God for those men who have fought for their country, for those who stuck it out despite the travesties of war, the casualities on both sides...those who fought for freedom of others... God you know I have friends who are 'Nam vets, family who were there also...& you know my heart concerning them...You know I have friends and relatives who fought in wars besides 'Nam... be with them as well, as my 'Nam vet friends and family... You know my heart concerning those who are in battle, who endanger their very lives to fight for the freedoms that we enjoy as Americans...and for those who have fought & endured even though it was hard, and at a personal toll. I ask dear God for you to bless those who paid this price.. I ask that You reveal those with Your truth, that lie and distort for their own glory, and not Yours, or for our country. Expose those who got purple hearts or any other battle medals unneedlessly... for their vanity, & who use them as a reminder... let their vanity be rewarded in Your ways... bring them to justice, to truth, and to honor, and not the deception that some try to portray as being glory for our country... Lies to gain any kind of medals is of the enemy, and certainly not for You or our country! I ask this in the Name of Christ Jesus, who paid the ultimate price for our total freedom from sin, from eternal death~ amen and amen
Posted by: ANOINTED WARRIOR
Matthew 5:44-45 - But I say to you, Love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you. If you do this, you will be true children of your Father in Heaven. He causes the sun to rise on good people and on evil people, and he sends rain to those who do right and those who do wrong.
Jesus I do this now in the scripture above and thank you fo releasing your love and grace all over bill and thank you for shedding your blood of the cross for him letting him know how much you love him.. walk up to him and place your hand on his heart and begin to release your peace and saving grace into his heart.. Thank you for making a way where there is no way in all of this..
Posted by: akabezalel
My husband is also a Viet Nam Veteran. His Coast Guard ship, the Wachusett, patrolled in sector 9 of the Mekong Delta 1968-1969.
I Thank God that He brought my husband home safe! We met in 1970 and married in 1973. God alone knows what would have become of me without him. I don't want to know!
While on station, the Wachusett acted as a mother ship for the Swift Boats and kept a relief crew aboard for each boat under their command, providing them with long awaited showers, chow, and relaxation from the arduous and often dangerous assignments aboard their tiny 51-foot boats. They provided fuel and water for both the Swift boats and the 82-footers, and were always ready with medical aid when needed. During river assault missions they usually stood by with their 5-inch gun to provide extra fire power when the Swift Boats needed it.
My husband has the greatest respect for the men who served aboard the Swift Boats and he feels that John Kerry is shaming everyone who served with honor.
He finds it quite significant that the men who served with Kerry do not support him because if Kerry had been a man of honor the Swift Boat crews, to a man, would support him now whether they liked him or not!
Michael Moore wants to know what Country ever came out of war free?
How about the United States? The Revolutionary War, the French and Indian War, the wars with Mexico produced the Country of Texas, the Civil War. I am sure I am missing a few.
How about Mexico? Cinco de Mayo means nothing to him?
How about Israel?
How about Japan? Japan came out from under the Emperor into a Parliamentary form of Government AFTER the Allies beat them and helped them to REBUILD their Country.
How about Uganda? Admittedly still fighting its way free after 30+ years of terror and war within its own people and against its own Dictators.
How about Germany? A free Democratic Nation AFTER the Allies helped to rebuild it!
How about South Korea? Free Democratic Nation AFTER the Korean War and AFTER being helped to rebuild by the Allies.
If I have any of my facts wrong... you can blame the liberal Media and the even more liberal Teachers who support John Kerry as President and who seem to feel very free about twisting history and current events to suit their own agendas. I have always found revisionist History to be repulsive.
Father, I ask for the Salvation of Michael Moore, John Kerry, John Edwards, Mr. O'Rielly, theirs wives and families and the Teachers of the Children of the USA. Holy Spirit, I free You to work unhindered in their lives to bring them to Jesus and Salvation. I do not care if I am proven right about any issue brought up by these men and women, I only desire their Salvations. You said ask and You would give me the Nations, Lord I am asking for the United States of America, its Territories, Allies and Enemies. Please begin with the Leaders and would-be-Leaders of this country. In the Name of Jesus, AMEN! Thank You Lord! Thank You!!!
Posted by: prayyior
Father, thank you for the true Vietnam vets. Bless everyone of them by showing them the truth of your Word. Father, Thank you for Pastor Jerry, who is not afraid to stand and say what is right. Your word says that "you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free!" We thank you that your Word applies in every situation in life. If your people will not stand in the face of adversity and speak the truth, who will? Had we stood and spoke the truth years ago, there may still be prayer in schools and abortion would be a dirty word only whispered in the back alley's of America, instead of out loud and with pride. We face so many who do not know the truth of your Word, and we do give you permission to do what is necessary for them to see the truth. Lord, let your people stand up and get involved in the political processes, get involved with the school boards, and the library boards, and every public place that has boards to help in the decision making. Lord, call your people to rise up. How ashamed we should be for not speaking the truth, when we knew it all along. Forgive us Lord. Show us what to do and how to do it. Even Moses, sought those who could make reasonable judgements to help in the justice process, and we need people who can step in and risk the attacks of the evil one, in his systematic process of destroying our nation, our world, our children and grandchildren. Lord let us pray and seek you as if you were coming today, and let us live and volunteer and do good, and serve in our community and in our Nation as if You were the King and you had just given us an assignment. Let us Seek you for the direction you wish for each of us to take, and provide all we need to do it. Please provide us with Your Power to accomplish whatever purpose you have for each of us. Lord, it is your mercy, help, direction, love and approval we seek, in the Name of Jesus our Lord. Amen and Amen
Posted by: JeriRose12
Thanks, Jerry for fighting for this country! And now you are a soldier in the Lord's army! If not a general....
Did you hear what Bob Dole said? He was wounded over there, and BLED. He lay for one day before they found him, and did not think he would live. But he is alive, so he is a miracle! He received less medals than Kerry supposedly did, and yet Kerry DID NOT bleed. Does something sound fishy?
Dear Lord, I pray for all the Viet Nam vets who still have post traumatic stress. I pray they are healed. I pray they realize they fought for America and THAT'S what counts. Their intentions were true! It's not their faults if those in leadership did underhanded things or stacked the war so they couldn't win. These soldiers wanted to defend America, and that's what they went to do. So, let them receive the proper honor and respect for their role in defending our country.
And, please don't let Iraq be another Viet Nam. Let the soldiers fighting in Iraq hold their heads high. Let them KNOW that they are fighting for a just cause! I pray that the truth is revealed and those standing on the side walk with "Blood for oil" signs will be ashamed. More power to the young man stanidng there with a Bush/Cheney sign!!! I pray, Lord, that those of us who are trying to be upstanding members of society, can take the time those who bash Bush and the war to do their part in showing support. I thank You for the "Support the troops" rallies we have had. I pray their will be more, and that I can attend. Thanks, Lord, for all the good things going on in our country as far as support for our soldiers, the President and the reasons for going to war. I pray the media is silenced by the truth being revealed. I pray they are clearly shown as propogandists. Let truth prevail!!!
Dear Mr. Bill O'Reilly:
