LAT: Repaying a Big Debt to Lt. Kerry (Green Beret he saved)

[DeepModem Mom]

March 13, 2004

THE RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE
Repaying a Big Debt to Lt. Kerry
A former Green Beret saved 35 years ago by the young senator-to-be is happy to help him now.

By Tomas Alex Tizon, Times Staff Writer


FLORENCE, Ore. — The eyes still get watery 35 years later, and Jim Rassmann — former Green Beret, retired California cop — doesn't want anybody to see. He turns away or uses his beefy hands to cover up.

But he gets through it, recalling in vivid detail the day, March 13, 1969, when John F. Kerry snatched him out of a muddy brown river in Vietnam and saved him from a watery end.

The story has been told often since January, when the two men reunited in Des Moines, just two days before the Iowa primary. Their emotional reunion has been described as a turning point in Kerry's quest for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Rassmann, a registered Republican, held the audience rapt that night with the dramatic tale of his rescue. The two men embraced, the cameras rolled and Rassmann in a single moment became a prime-time voucher for Kerry's combat heroism and a symbol of the senator's support among Vietnam War veterans.

Since then, Rassmann, 56, has volunteered on the campaign trail for Kerry, with brief visits home to his wife, Julie, and their four-acre homestead here on the Oregon coast....


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-vietnamvet13mar13,1,4247569.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[truthisfreedom]

1. if Kerry is elected, and I fully expect he will be, this won't be the only

republican (and i say this specifically defining what republican used to mean... ) who is glad he's around to help. bush isn't a republican. he's part of a terrifying mafia.

[Rebellious Republican]

3. As a former republican and combat vet, I agree 100% truthis....

freedom. I am only one of many that have left the party because of what it has become. For me there is no going back EVER! There is nothing these arrogant, egotistical, self centered, super wealthy bastards can do to change my mind. They have taken a very loyal group of people, and abused, let me rephrase that, perverted our trust. They have used us only for personal gain and given us nothing in return, not even a bone to chew on. They have not thrown out any scraps of there pork for us to gnaw at. At least jackals in the wild leave some morsels for the lesser animals. Not these greedy little bastards, they keep giving themselves pay raises and bonus's at same time cutting pay and laying off workers. They have reduced the American workforce to the point of incompetency, forcing everyone below the level of the board room to do the work of four or more people, and giving little or no pay raises. Goods and services in this country have been gutted, it permeates the fabric of all that America once stood for. What has there attitude become, "screw you, I got mine"! I liken the state of the union as to what Rome was at its end! I hope they have not destroyed America forever. We may still be able to recover, however four more years of this administration will surely be the end of Democracy, I whole heartedly feel this to be very true. I have been talking with very hardcore republicans, you know the type, the ones that just absolutely refuse to admit that Bush can do any wrong. Well lately even though they still will not speak bad of Bush, they to admit to be disillusioned. They also feel that the greedy have taken over America and and have a very bleak outlook. This administration either does not have a clue, or just simply refuse to admit they are wrong. Its a sad commentary coming from even there staunchest supporters. End of rant, but I am glad that there is forum that has accepted myself and other former repubs into the fold, thank you DUers!

[DeepModem Mom]

8. Thank YOU, Rebellious Republican, for your words...

and your service --

[calimary]

11. Awwww, this is sweet! We WELCOME you with open arms!!!

WE are glad. No, make that DELIRIOUSLY DELIGHTED to hear stories such as yours. During some cold, bleak days, they keep us warm. Thank you for your courage and honesty, and your help in coming here and joining with us. True Republicans believe things that I think many of us here can understand, and maybe even agree with. What passes for republicans now is just a complete SHAM. It IS, unfortunately, a mentality of "IGMFU" (my dad's favorite phrase - stands for I Got Mine, F--- You") has overtaken the republi-CON party. John Kerry's mumbles of liars and crooks is so spot-on. And it's not people like you he's talking about, either. It's people who make folks like you ashamed of what used to be a reasonable political party.

I salute you for your epiphany, and I welcome you to DU, and the arms of the truly compassionate. We need LOTS more folks like you seeing the light, and coming in from the Dark Side. DAMNED GLAD YOU'RE HERE!

HUGS!

[0007]

12. I applaud you. You have got a lotta of guts -

Keep trucking!

[metisnation]

15. np problem man

my parents are republican they will be voting Kerry in 2004..Thanks for your insight and welcome to DU.

[Rebellious Republican]

16. Thanks for the kudo's, if you guys like stories like that, here is

one that I posted in another thread, its an old newspaper article, it is just one of many from Florida....

McBride appeals to moderate Republicans
By ADAM C. SMITH, Times Political Editor
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 14, 2002

Snip> Bomstein backed Bush for governor in 1998 but has been disappointed in how "very political" Bush has been in office. "Bill's the real deal, and I honestly believe he won't put his politics above the welfare of this state," said Bomstein.

And the Republican-controlled Legislature? "It disgusts me," said Bomstein.

Polls show Bush sitting pretty as he campaigns for a second term. But last week's Ruth Eckerd Hall gathering highlights an undercurrent that makes Bush vulnerable if any Democrat manages to ride it.

The Jeb Bush who campaigned four years ago as a moderate, unifying force for Florida increasingly looks out of step with many Florida voters.

A recent St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald poll found half of Florida voters unhappy with his efforts to improve schools, and education is by far the top priority of voters. And while Bush has aligned himself with the fervently antitax leaders of the state House, nearly six in 10 voters are willing to see taxes raised to benefit public schools.<snip
http://www.sptimes.com/2002/04/14/Perspective/McBride_appeals_to_mo.sh...

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. Wow. This is great.

Kind of makes me own eyes misty thinking that some Repubs may actually have the ability to remember that we were once in it together at one time.

[MarianJack]

4. GREAT STORY!

I'm confused though. I thought that our great leader was a warrior! I mean, I saw him in a little sailor suit on a flight carrier and wearing a little soldier jacket when he held an inedible turkey for the troops!

You mean that to be considered a war hero a guy actually has to expose himself to danger? DAMN "LIBERAL MEDIA"!

Seriously, this is a touching story of the bond between those who serve and the realization that every life is important.

As stated in Judiasm and in a great movie, "He who saves one life saves the World entire!".

[4dsc]

5. I suspect he's not the only republican

voting for Kerry this year. My father, a lifelong republican, will not be voting for dubya either.. And I know he won't be wasting his vote on Nadar!!

[Bandit]

6. I also am a Vietnam Vet who will vote for Kerry

I am not a Democrat nor am I affiliated with any political party. I actually voted for Reagan against Carter because of the way Carter bungled the Iran Crisis. I was pretty Naive then and would probably never make that mistake again. I am a Liberal who has seen Combat and I am so grateful we have a man like Senator Kerry running. I feel a connection to him through shared experiences and know he has the stature to beat Bush*. I know it is considered common knowlege that the military is mostly Republican but it is my experience that those who saw actual war(combat) are not quite so quick to beat the war drums that the Chickenhawks beat so easily. I think most Vietnam Vets will feel similar except those we refer to as REMFS.

[5thGenDemocrat]

7. Former REMF here

And I feel the same way you do. The only fighting I ever saw was in the NCO club on the first and third Friday of the month.
John
Hiding under a table

USArmy Communications Command
Battery Parrott, Fort Monroe, VA
1974-76

[DeepModem Mom]

9. Thanks to you, too, Bandit, for your words, and your service --

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

13. Same here. I am sorry that you, and many others, got the wool

pulled over your eyes during the whole Iran thing. It happens. We all make mistakes.
Not all REMFS are rabid republicans, I know a few who feel the same as I do, especailly the ones who have had the misfortune of dealing with the VA "system" over the past several years.
We need someone who has shown that he can see through the BS and bring out the truth. Kerry, with his service, and return to work in a high-profile position at VVAW has shown he can do just that.

[shanti]

10. WOW!

it looks like kerry is sewing up the veteran's vote! this is great news!

[DiverDave]

14. I did my time too

D Troop,1st of the 1st Armored Cav.,
Stationed in Schwabach, West Germany.
When there was such a thing (West Germany, I mean).
Great area, excellent beer, not far from Nürnberg.