Brought to tears today at a grassroots Kerry tabling event

[zulchzulu]

A friend of mine and myself have been tabling for Kerry since June 2003 in Madison, WI. We've seen it all. Some is on video.

Today, I had a pretty intense discussion with a Vietnam vet who just had two sons recently return from serving in Iraq. He said they had been there 6 months longer than originally told. They told him that Iraq was a disaster and a waste. His sons HATE Bush and especially Rumsfeld. They also said a lot of the military are for Kerry if only because he served and knows war, unlike Bush. They view the Swift Boat Liars as liars and traitors toward the military by tattle-tailing "like little girls for the chickenhawks". Those were one of his son's words.

At the time that was all happening, I had playing Wes Clark's speech from the convention on a small sound system and he stopped in the middle of his sentence about his sons...and started crying.

This was a big bearish man who I would usually not engage in a conversation if I saw him on the street. I could only do nothing else but give the man a big hug and start shedding a tear too. I was overwhelmed by his grief and could see his utter anger of seeing his sons nearly dying for yet another stupid war.

I would highly recommend people to get out on the street and work for Kerry-Edwards. There are so many amazing people out there with nightmare stories about these Bush years that need to vote.

[Spiffarino]

1. Done

In the streets. On the phone. In your face. Any time, any place. It's that important.

Thanks for an inspiring story, ZZ.

[RevCheesehead]

2. Yes, I've encountered many very angry Vets

And their anger gets them close to tears, too.

Met one at Dem HQ in Green Bay. His job was outsourced to Mexico. He must have been in his late 50's, early 60's. No job prospect in sight.

I asked if he was a Vet. Then he let loose. He told me he's been watching all the usual stuff, the Swift Boat ads disturbed him, etc. When I asked about the Purple Heart Band-Aids, he nearly exploded. He said that's what got him angry enough to get out.

[daa]

12. I am one that is pissed eom

[annabanana]

3. Once again........

There really IS no substitute for experience. This is why it matters what Vets say.

[Democat]

4. Thank you for the story and the great work!

:)

[Bluzmann57]

5. Peace to you and that gentleman too

It's good that his sons are alive. My story is nowhere as poignant as that mans, but I just want to know why I just got a contractual raise, and have less money than before? Think it may be the high cost of gasoline, food, clothing, shelter, and no tax cuts for people in my income range? Kiss my ass bush.

[madrchsod]

6. there`s alot

of guys like him who wanted to forget and never thought, like i did, we would never have to face another nam again. for me it was refusing and him going and now we do have something in common -we both have grown older and see what went wrong on both sides.....and we never ever want anyone`s sons or daughters fight another war such as we have now. somehow as you grow older the tears flow much easier when you know your life is growing to an end and you want your children to never face what you have faced..i guess that is what it is all about...

[liberalmuse]

7. That is so heartbreaking...

I almost cried just reading it. I am definitely going to table again, this time for Kerry/Edwards. Thank you for sharing that story, because stories like that help get people all fired up again about this election.

[diamond14]

8. we're getting swamped with Veterans at VIRGINIA Kerry HQ.....

for a variety of reasons....the Afganistan and Iraq WARS, the Michael Moore movie, the anti-bush* books, their owns sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, their relatives KILLED by bush* madness....and huge numbers because of bush* dissing Kerry's war MEDALS....and now, bush* MOCKING our soldiers with the "purple-heart bandage" stunt at the RNC.....

most come in as reTHUGlicans, and some even want to stay reTHUGlican, but are more than willing to vote for Kerry...we are giving out LOTS of "Republicans for Kerry" buttons, bumper stickers, etc...some smaller town reTHUGlican officials are having BIG town hall meeting for "Republican for Kerry", in their own actual TOWN HALLS...there are several coming up next weekend if you live in Virginia...we have welcomed ALL WHO WISH TO VOTE AGAINST BUSH....


and THANK YOU, zulchzulu...YOUR efforts will win our country back...if every real DUer did a few hours of tabling or phone banks, or envelope stuffing for the next 7 weekends...we WILL win...

start here
http://www.JohnKerry.com

for Northern Virginians
http://www.NoVAforKerry.com

[volosong]

10. BAD INTELLIGENCE, BAD POLITICS, BAD WAR

[benddem]

9. I'm glad you hugged him

I just hate this war.

[Hailtothechimp]

15. We all hate this war. Any diversion from this must not happen. nt.

[proud patriot]

11. Thanks so much for sharing

It's the vets who thank me for my yards signs and Car.

Thank You for giving him a hug , I would done the same
thing ..

[RevCheesehead]

13. When the Vets walked through the Edwards crowd

I started saying "thank you, Veterans. We're grateful." And many, many others joined in. They were surprised at first, then amazed.

Sometimes a simple "Thank You" can go a long, long way.

[Snellius]

14. Maybe that's why they're afraid of letting them have a secret ballot

The NY Times has been running a few editorials last week about how the Pentagon is going to let soldiers vote in the presidential election by email. But not directly to their local precinct but only after the email ballot is routed through the Pentagon first.

[pacalo]

16. Thanks for sharing your touching experience.

It gives me hope that the troops can see right through this administration, and that the troops/veterans are appalled at the sleazy smear boat vets' lies.

[annabanana]

18. Oh I'd say the troops can see through it...................

like with night-vision and laser beams.

[mzmolly]

17. I'm on a list to volunteer, am looking forward to getting started.

Thanks for the story.

[AP]

19. Bush is ruining so many lives and making so many miserable. I bet there

isn't an American president who has caused so many American tears, and who has done so little to use his powers to alleviate the tears he hasn't directly caused.

[zulchzulu]

20. Thanks for your thoughts and time

I feel bad I didn't get the guy's name. Hopefully, I'll see him again and give a follow-up to what has happened since today.

On this day with that experience, I not only realized how we must all work as hard as we can to rid ourselves of Bush, but also how precious life is... I can only imagine what this soldier father thinks of when he sees his soldier sons return and feel his grief and hopelessness at seeing how they were tricked into war like he was.

Rage...that's what I feel.