Veterans react to Bush’s National Guard records

ALBANY, Ga. – Frank Jones says he’s angry about newly revealed memos that indicate President Bush received preferential treatment in the Air National Guard during the Vietnam War, but he’s not surprised by favoritism in the guard.

Jones, a Republican from Troy, N.Y., served in Vietnam in 1970 and 1971 before doing 16 years in the guard himself. As the presidential election nears, Jones says controversy over both candidates’ military records and the mounting death toll in Iraq are important issues.

“I’m really in neither camp at this point,” he said. “However, I do see a direct correlation to Vietnam. The body count is really starting to get to me.”

Some current and retired members of the National Guard and other military services say the newly revealed Bush documents do not bother them, while others say they are troubling.

The documents, which became fodder for Democratic critics last week, indicate Bush was suspended from flying with his Texas Air National Guard unit because he missed a medical exam and that he missed six months of training. Republicans have challenged the documents’ authenticity.

Lt. Col. Jim Driscoll, spokesman for the Georgia Army National Guard, said retired service members may comment on political issues such as the Bush documents, but most current reservists and active-duty service members will hesitate to voice their political opinions.

“It would be inappropriate,” he said. “The president is our commander- in-chief, and so we have to be very careful from an ethical perspective of how we express our political opinions.”

Some who served in the National Guard say it’s common practice to miss drills – even for up to six months – because of job conflicts, family problems or illness.

Ralph Bradley, 56, a Republican from Albany who served three years in Vietnam in the Air Force and 17 years in the Georgia Army National Guard, said members are encouraged to make up drills so they don’t lose pay or retirement benefits.

“There’s all kinds of situations … that cause a person to go out of state for a period of time,” he said.

Army Reserve Sgt. Tim Wilding, 37, of Jefferson City, Mo., agreed.

Back home for two weeks of leave from Iraq, Wilding said he remains a staunch Bush supporter despite allegations that Bush may have tried to get out of guard drills in 1972.

“A lot of guys don’t serve for four or five months at a time,” he said. “They’ve got other stuff going on. They’ll make it up later on, or they just won’t get paid. That’s really no big deal to a lot of National Guard soldiers.”

Allegations of suspect conduct during the Vietnam War also have been leveled at John Kerry, who won three Purple Hearts, a Silver Star and a Bronze Star in Vietnam. A group sponsoring television ads challenging his wartime record contends Kerry’s own gunfire caused the wound that brought his first Purple Heart. Navy records and other veterans who were with Kerry during the Vietnam incidents do not support the charge.

Ahmad Majied of Albany says the latest allegations about Bush’s military record are more troubling to him than allegations about Kerry’s service honors.

Majied, a Democrat from Albany, Ga., who served 30 years in the Navy, including five years as a SEAL in Vietnam, said the memos support his belief that Bush was a “playboy” during his service years.

“He had enough money to get what he wanted,” Majied said. “I think his main concern was not to go to Southeast Asia. I bet he never dreamed it would come back to haunt him.”

Neal Eubanks, of Leesburg, Ga., who served 39 years in the military – 23 in the Air Force and 16 in the Georgia Army National Guard – said the presidential candidates should move beyond their military records and focus on the issues, such as the economy and unemployment.

“You don’t see Korean veterans or World War II veterans or Grenada veterans always talking about ‘I served here and I served there,’” said Eubanks, 67, a Bush supporter.

Associated Press

President Bush, shown during his Air National Guard service, was suspended from flying, documents show.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Everett fire destroys home under construction, damages adjacent structures

The fire happened around 1 a.m. Wednesday. No injuries were reported.

Everett
Open house on Everett comprehensive plan coming Feb. 28

The state requires fast-growing cities like Everett to create comprehensive plans, which plan for population growth, transportation improvements and more.

Jasmine Donahue talks about being a place for people leave messages when looking for family members, friends or loved ones on the street on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett extends deadline for homeless service facing closure

Hope ‘N Wellness must now comply with city zoning laws by April 30. The organization is “grateful,” its owner said, but still hopes for a permanent solution.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

New Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce CEO CEO Wendy Poischbeg speaks at a kick off event on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Everett Rising’: Wednesday’s chamber luncheon to showcase a new era of growth.

The Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce is beginning its efforts… Continue reading

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Edmonds School District building on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds School District faces estimated $8.5 million deficit

The shortfall is lower than previous years, but the effects are “cumulative,” Superintendent Rebecca Miner said.

Hundreds rally against Trump on Presidents Day in Everett

People lined Broadway with signs and flags, similar to other protests across the country.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.