Political Quotes

“Mr. President, when I came home from Vietnam a little over thirty years ago, I came home to a nation divided. I was assigned by the U.S. Marine Corps to head up a major officer recruiting program on college campuses all across America. It was 1969 and anti-war fever was consuming the nation. As you can imagine, my Marine uniform on a college campus became a lightning rod for protests and protesters. In this assignment, Mr. President, incoming bullets, rockets and artillery were replaced by insults, jeers and demonstrations. At times, it was tough. I had just spent a tour of duty, which included commanding an infantry company in combat, and over 100 of my men received the Purple Heart, almost a quarter of them posthumously. Like all other warriors who served in uniform, it wasn't their job to question the policy that sent them to Vietnam, but they answered the call and those that died, did so with honor, for our Nation. So while I did my best to reason with the crowds that came out to greet me on college campuses, I didn't appreciate the instinctive disrespect that was shown to me and the uniform I wore. But Mr. President, I rise today to defend the rights of those individuals 30 years ago to protest me and my uniform.”