GENERAL AND FLAG OFFICERS ENDORSE SEN. JOHN F. KERRY FOR PRESIDENT
General officers (generals) and flag officers (admirals) serve in the highest echelons of The United States Armed Forces. Traditionally, they are hesitant to sound off about Presidential preferences, even after retirement. (While actively serving, officers refrain from political endorsements of any kind.) But the 2004 election has stirred several to break their silence and endorse John Kerry for President of The United States of America. (Some of these officers supported George W. Bush in 2000.) These generals and admirals know that John Kerry understands the military and the experiences of soldiering and combat; he knows how to plan and lead. They are asking you to vote for John Kerry on Tuesday, November 2nd, so our troops will be treated with dignity and respect both at home and abroad, so they will be adequately supported and equipped, so they will be used more wisely in the war to stop terrorism, and so they will be a positive force for prudent global change—not puppets in private wars fueled by petty revenge, greed, or political opportunism. These men and women chose to spend their entire careers in the service of their country and the soldiers and sailors they commanded. They now ask YOU to vote for John Kerry.
Lieutenant General Edward D. Baca (United States Army, Retired), Baca was one of the highest-ranking Latino-Americans in the U.S. military. He was born and raised in New Mexico and served as the Adjutant General of the New Mexico National Guard exercising joint command over both the Army and Air National Guard of New Mexico—
"I am proud to have served our country in the military for over 41 years. I am even prouder that 4 of my children have worn the uniform of our armed forces. Three are still serving. As a combat veteran and proven leader, I know that John Kerry will never send them in harm's way, without exhausting all means of diplomacy. Even then, it will be a last resort. God forbid if he ever has to, he will make sure that they are part of an armed force as best equipped, best training, and most respected in the world." - LTG Edward Baca (USA, Ret.)
Lieutenant General Daniel W. Christman (United States Army, Retired), former Superintendent of West Point and a former combat veteran commanding a company of the 101st Airborne Division. He’s a native of Hudson, Ohio—
"Success in the global war on terror requires enlightened U.S. leadership - leadership that knows the importance of listening to and working with other countries. Senator Kerry is such a leader, and as Commander-in-Chief, he will adapt our military to the unprecedented security demands faced by our country and its armed forces." - LTG Daniel Christman (USA, Ret.)
General Wesley K. Clark (United States Army, Retired), former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO—
"Anyone who tells you that one political party has a monopoly on the best defense of our nation is committing a fraud on the American people. John Kerry is a leader, a fighter, and he will be a great commander in chief….[He will] join that pantheon of great wartime Democrats”—including Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman. - GEN Wesley K. Clark (USA, Ret.)
Admiral William J. Crowe (United States Navy, Retired), former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest ranking officer in the U.S. military—
"The current administration has an overly simplistic view of how and when to use our military. By not bringing in our friends and allies, they have created a mess in Iraq and are crippling our forces around the world. John Kerry has a realistic understanding of the requirements of our military and the threats that we face." - ADM William J. Crowe (USN, Ret.)
Vice Admiral Lee F. Gunn (United States Navy, Retired), Gunn earlier in his career commanded the USS BARBEY and the Destroyer Squadron "Thirty-one," a component of the U.S. Navy's Anti-Submarine Warfare Destroyer Squadrons—
"My son is a Navy sailor, my son-in-law is a Navy sailor, and my nephew is a Navy sailor. I want them, and all of America's sons and daughters in uniform to have a new, wiser, better, and courageous commander-in-chief in John Kerry." - VADM Lee F. Gunn (USN, Ret.)
General Joseph Hoar (United States Marine Corps, Retired), for Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Central Command and General Norman Schwartzkopf's Chief of Staff at Central Command—"Sen. Kerry has demonstrated his courage in combat and his broad knowledge of international relations while in the Senate. He's a leader who is not afraid to lead." - GEN Joseph Hoar (USMC, Ret.)
Lieutenant General Claudia J. Kennedy (United States Army, Retired), the first and only woman to achieve the rank of 3-star general in the United States Army.—
"John Kerry understands the future as it is framed by the international community and by the people at home. He will make the right decisions about education, defense, intelligence, economic development both foreign and domestic, and sustaining international relationships. He is a leader I trust." - LTG Claudia J. Kennedy (USA, Ret.)
Lieutenant General Donald Kerrick (United States Army, Retired), former Deputy National Security Advisor to the President of the United States principal negotiator on the international Bosnia Peace Delegation that ended the Bosnian War. Kerrick was born in Bethesda, Maryland and was raised in Islamorada, Florida.—
"The miscalculations of the last three years have severely stressed our armed forces both around the world and here at home. John Kerry understands the military and war. He is the right leader at the right time to restore America's credibility around the world." - LTG Donald Kerrick (USA, Ret.)
General Merrill "Tony" A. McPeak (United States Air Force, Retired), former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. (He is a command pilot, having flown more than 6,000 hours, principally in fighter aircraft. Gen. McPeak supported Bob Dole in ’96 and Bush in ‘00; but now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with John Kerry)—
"I'm a registered independent, but I like and admire John Kerry. He simply has a great record of brave and skillful service to the country. He is sure to be a fine Commander-in-Chief, one we can all be proud of, and proud to follow." - GEN Merrill "Tony" A. McPeak (USAF, Ret.)
General John M. Shalikashvili (United States Army, Retired), former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest ranking officer in the U.S. military, and former Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and commander in the Gulf War—
"I believe in John Kerry. As a young man, he heeded his country's call to service when it needed him. He commanded in combat and did so with bravery and distinction. He knows from experience a commander's responsibility to his troops. He stands with our troops and with their families." - GEN John M. Shalikashvili (USA, Ret.)
Admiral Stansfield Turner (United States Navy, Retired), who was also the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the CIA, from 1977-81—
"George Bush as the Commander-in-Chief has got us into a morass in both Iraq and Afghanistan. John Kerry is a true veteran, and would be a much better commander-in-chief." - ADM Stansfield Turner (USN, Ret.)
General Johnnie E. Wilson (United States Army, Retired), born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and raised in Lorain, Ohio. Before becoming a 4-star general, Wilson was also Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics and Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Materiel Command—
“Senator Kerry is a principled, patriotic leader with the requisite skills to lead America in the 21st century." - GEN Johnnie E. Wilson (USA, Ret.)
Please forward this e-mail to every voter in your address book. Let the word go forth: these generals and admirals call on every American to vote for a future in which we and our children enjoy a safer and more secure homeland and renewed strength, respect, and security throughout the world. They are counting on YOU!
Updated: Now hear this…. Even Gen. Tommy Franks, commander of the early military successes in Afghanistan and Iraq, and who has endorsed George W. Bush for President, also recently stated: “John Kerry is absolutely qualified to be commander in chief.”
(More here.)
