Is John Kerry America's Greatest Patriot?

Despite being born into privilege, John F. Kerry chose to serve his country ... on more than one occasion.

Shortly after graduating from Yale, John Kerry volunteered to join the Navy and go to Vietnam. During a time of great peril, when many of America's young men were fighting and dying in south-east Asia, John Kerry believed in the value of service to his country.

So he went -- and he served his country with great valor. He commanded a Navy “Swift Boat” on the Mekong Delta. When his boat took on fire, he turned his boat into the direction of the fire to face down his enemy and attack. When one of his crew mates was shot and fell overboard, Kerry risked his own life in the face of oncoming gunfire, reached over the side and pulled his shipmate to safety. During his service, he earned the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and three purple hearts.

But his courage didn't stop when he left the warzone. Kerry returned home and did one of the most patriotic things a citizen can do -- he spoke out.

Having seen the things he saw in Vietnam: the overwhelming loss of life; the lack of a clear plan for victory; and the needless attacks on civilians; Kerry spoke out against the war. After recently putting his life on the line, Kerry put his good name and reputation on the line by testifying to Congress in its hearings on the Vietnam war. Petty and small minded people criticized Kerry for exercising his Constitutional right to freedom of speech (they seemed to forget about America's pesky Bill of Rights).

Having already served his country on two occasions so soon in his young life, John Kerry went to Boston College Law School so he could serve his community -- as prosecutor for Middlesex County, Massachusetts. He fought crime with his tough won convictions in the court room, but he was still not through with serving his country.

In 1982 John Kerry was elected Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. Shortly thereafter he was elected to the U.S. Senate where he would serve four terms and help see America through tumultous times -- from the scandal of the Iran-Contra affair in the 80's to the peace and prosperity of the Clinton years in the 90's.

From war hero to activist to civil servant, John Kerry embodies every ideal of American patriotism. Not since our founding fathers has an American demonstrated such a committment to service of his country.

George Washington was a war hero: leading America's armies in revolution against the British; he was an activist: participating in the birth of a new government; and he was a civil servant: becoming America's first president.² John Kerry could have been the first man in years to carry on Washington's great legacy. Given his dedication, his ideals and his principals, John Kerry may well be America's greatest living patriot. Knowing what America has lost makes the outcome of the 2004 presidential election all the more tragic.