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Being Part of the Journey

By John Lindquist

I was at Dewey Canyon in Vietnam, in the 3rd Marine Division in 1969. In April 1971 I was in Dewey Canyon III in Washington, D.C. This was my first VVAW demo and the first time I met John Kerry.

Seventeen of us drove in from Milwaukee to arrive at Potomac Park at about 6:30 in the morning. We were in time for the march to Arlington National Cemetery and back to the steps of the United States Capitol.

Once we voted to occupy the Mall, we saw a lot of the National Office on stage and at the various demos. The speech John Kerry gave in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was great. I was already committed to VVAW's ideas, but John's speech moved me like nothing else I ever heard.

Ann Bailey and I went to two National meetings that year, in St. Louis and Kansas City. When John Kerry decided not to run again for the National Office I considered it a loss, but his reasoning was sound; he was going to run for public office. Annie tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Watch: some day he will run for president." I told her no way. Well, I was wrong.

Throughout the years we supported his various campaigns, and I am excited that he is running for president. We need a combat veteran in the White House. I got active, joined Veterans for Kerry and started carrying my "New Soldier" book around. The young kids were fascinated by it.

I wanted to see him again and finally got the chance during the Wisconsin campaign. After the Wisconsin debates, he came to an Irish bar to thank people who worked on his campaign. I called Buzz Noyes, who was also at DCIII, and said: let's go. I put on my boonie hat, my VVAW button, my ribbons, my Kerry button and took my "New Soldier" book along. The vets — including some of his boat crew — were put in the best row, and when he walked in, he remembered us. After his thank-you speech, shaking hands on the way over, he stopped to see us. We shook hands, took pictures and talked about full funding of the VA: part of his platform. He signed his book, and it reads: "John — Thanks for being part of the journey — John Kerry."

It was far out. Thirty-three years, and the first thing we talk about is the VA. I did a rally at the Italian community center — vets on the top row. He came in, looked around, saw me and Mike Winner, saluted, and gave a super 25-minute speech.

I was at the Teamster endorsement on Election Day and drove people to the polls all day. I had a great time. One person can make a difference.

I know VVAW does not endorse political parties or candidates; that's part of our by-laws and a good idea. I do know we need to beat George W. Bush, and we veterans need one of our own in the White House.

Semper fi