Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004 | 9:08 a.m.
Every man and woman who volunteers for military service deserves the respect of the American people for having done so.
The members of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, whose intentions may not be as honorable as their military service, are doing a great disservice to a man who stood up and volunteered twice.
John Kerry volunteered for service during the Vietnam War, served admirably and returned to this country a hero.
After being an eyewitness to the carnage, the immorality and the corruption taking place in Vietnam, he exercised his right to speak out against a war he considered morally wrong.
In 1971 this act took as much courage to do so as it did to volunteer for combat duty in Vietnam.
If it weren't for John Kerry and other anti-war activists, some sons and daughters of swift boat veterans might still be doing tours of duty in Vietnam.
The Swift Boat Veterans for Truth could have created an honorable testament to their Vietnam service if they had organized for the purpose of finding out why our country is involved in another ill-advised, poorly planned war.
PHILIP VENTURA
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