posted May 9, 2008
As I struggle to decide who to vote for in the upcoming election, my thoughts as of late continue to drift to a group of men who have been forgotten. Not forgotten by their fellow countrymen, or their comrades, but forgotten by their government.
Scott Spiecher, a Navy pilot, still remains missing in Iraq from the Gulf War. His fate remains unknown except perhaps to the highest powers of our government. Many Vietnam POW's are still missing today, perhaps still alive and being held prisoner in Vietnam. While no proof exists today either way as to the fate of Speicher, overwhelming evidence has come to light over the past several years that hundreds of Vietnam POW's are still alive and still being held prisoner in Vietnam. Further evidence has come to light over the past several years that many past administrations have known about this, and instead of doing anything about it, covered it up.
If our POW's are still alive, as I believe they are, I have to wonder if McCain will do anything. I would hope that having been a POW himself, he would step up to the plate and rectify one of this country's most disgraceful mistakes. They say it's an honor to serve your country. I have to wonder how it can be an honor to serve your country when there is clear evidence that this country can and will leave its servicemembers behind.
If McCain wants my vote, he will bring our missing servicemembers home. He will do whatever it takes to discover the fate of Scott Speicher, and finally bring closure to the Sepicher Family. While the War in Iraq, the economy, health care, global warming, are all important issues, there can't be any more important of an issue than the men and women who defend this country. They serve this country, they protect this country. The very least this country can do for them is to bring them back home to their loved ones at the end of their tours.
Aubrey Buchannon
Chattanooga
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I was surprised to read Ms. Buchannon's letter regarding U.S. POW's and her hope that John McCain might help to bring them home.
From her letter, Ms. Buchannon is clearly aware of the staggering amount of evidence that supports the contention that U.S. POW's were knowingly abandoned in South East Asia after the war in Vietnam. The very fact that she is aware of such evidence demonstrates her commitment to the men and women of our armed forces.
I am, therefore, at a complete loss to understand how she could possibly place any hope, whatever, in the senator from Arizona. If anything can be said of John McCain it is that he, perhaps above all others, has done more to insure that those left behind, stay behind. McCain's despicable behavior while serving on the Committee for POW's/MIA's provides the most graphic evidence of his astounding arrogance and much deserved reputation as a bullying lout.
The facts surrounding McCain's behavior while a POW have yet to be reported in the mainstream press. The truth, of which, falls far short of the heroic legend promoted by Bud Day and others.
Richard Montgomery
Palm Bay, Fl.
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Perhaps Ms. Buchannon is young, and unfamiliar with Mr. McCain's record. Perhaps she feels he has a strong chance of winning the election and therefore is wondering if she should put her hope in him. She clearly stated that she's undecided at this point whom she will vote for, so therefore it's quite obvious she's not putting all her faith and trust blindly into this man.
I for one am very grateful for Ms. Buchannon's article. She raised a very important, but often undiscussed issue. I haven't heard a single candidate discuss the issue of our missing POW's from Vietnam and Iraq.
I do agree with Mr. Montgomery's statement that the fact that Ms. Buchannon is aware of this all important issue does show her tremendous commitment to our armed forces.
Thank you Ms. Buchannon for giving this issue a voice. Hopefully it won't fall on deaf ears.
Ryan Mitchell
Chattanooga
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