Letter: National Guard service shouldn’t be diminished

Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004 | 8:52 a.m.

In response to Eugene Osko's Sept. 3 letter: I am also a veteran of the U.S. Army. As a matter of fact I served 28 years, including active duty, National Guard and the Reserves. I am a veteran of both Vietnam and Desert Storm. I am insulted that Mr. Osko, along with the Democrats and John Kerry, have decided my service in the National Guard is something to be looked down upon.

There are now several thousand National Guardsmen and women serving in Iraq and many other locations all over the globe. We trained year-round, knowing we could easily be called to duty on a moment's notice. I was in fact called on a Wednesday and given a reporting date of the following Sunday, and was in Saudi Arabia within 10 days.

I served in the California National Guard with many professional athletes and Hollywood actors who obviously used some influence to get into the Guard. However, I can't recall a single one of them that avoided their duty while a participant in the Guard. I enlisted in the Army just ahead of the Draft Board and was an infantry officer in Vietnam. I'll admit that if I could have joined the National Guard, I would have in a minute. And, I stayed the entire 12 months in Vietnam -- Unlike someone else we all know.

John Kerry has lost my vote and that of thousands, perhaps millions, of current and former members of the National Guard. He would be votes ahead if he had just congratulated President Bush for his service.

RICHARD ST. JOHN