John Kerry

John Kerry enlisted in the Navy in 1966. He began his first tour of duty on a guided-missile frigate off the cost of Vietnam. In 1968, John Kerry began his second tour of duty, and volunteered to serve on a Swift Boat, one of the most dangerous assignments of the war. Swift Boats patrolled the narrow inlets and canals around the Mekong Delta to draw fire and smoke out the enemy. Lt. John Kerry's leadership, courage, and sacrifice earned him a Silver Star, the Navy's fifth highest medal, a Bronze Star with Combat V, and three Purple Hearts, awarded for wounds received in combat. After he returned home he decided he had a responsibility to his friends still serving, the friends he had lost, and his country, to help restore responsible leadership in America. He became a spokesman for Vietnam Veterans Against the War. After graduating from Law School in 1976, John Kerry went to work as a top prosecutor in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. He took on organized crime and fought for victims' rights. John Kerry was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1982. In that office, he organized the nation's Governors to combat acid rain that was polluting lakes, rivers, and the nation's water supply. Two years later, he was elected to the United States Senate and he has won reelection three-times since. He is now serving his fourth term, after winning again in 2002. During his two decades of service, he has fought for fiscal discipline, fought to put 100,000 more cops on America's streets, and fought to modernize and strengthen America's military. He worked with Senator John McCain to investigate American POW/MIAs. He helped provide health insurance for millions of low-income children. He has fought to improve public education, protect our natural environment, strengthen our economy, and increase in the minimum wage. John Kerry has been a tireless champion of funding for veterans' health care. He ran for president in 2004. He lost only because George Bush stole the election with the help of his friends at Diebold, and other private companies that count the American people's votes.