This morning vets lined up outside Capitol at about 11 a.m., waiting in a long line for their turn to throw away what they angrily termed their "worthless" and "bullshit" medals. Jiinyahe. The veterans weren’t promoting communism at all. Iraq war Veteran throws throws his medals and stars, and explains why. By fighting in a war that meant nothing, these veterans had sacrificed more than those in the past who had fought for just causes – causes against true evil and injustice. I always was proud of them," he told Jennings in December, adding that he had only thrown away his "ribbons" and the medals of two other veterans who could not attend the protest. To recognize their service and specific honorable actions in particular, several Vietnam War medals and ribbons were designed by both U.S. and foreign governments. Vietnam veteran Doyce Bailey, left, of Cedar Rapids speaks as U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst looks on Thursday during a medal presentation at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids. ABCNEWS' Madeleine Sauer contributed to this report. "We threw away the symbols of what our country gave us for what we had gone through," he said. "Well, and above that, [I] gave back the others," he said. This time they had answered the call to fight for what ended up being the invading side and the side that was killing innocent people. Discharge papers, Silver Stars, Bronze Stars, Purple hearts. Vietnam war medals and awards are split into 2 categories: those awarded for service of merit or valor and those given for service of a particular location or event. Many veterans were seen throwing their medals and ribbons over the fence in front of the U.S. Capitol. Hundreds of veterans threw their medals and other military commendations over the fence and in doing so rejected any characterisation of their service as valorous or patriotic. Despite repeated attempts by parts of the federal government to thwart the veterans’ protest efforts, the veterans remained strong and united in defying government authority in order to enforce their message. veterans to throw medals away A group of Iraq war veterans have pledged to toss their medals over the security fence surrounding the summit site in a symbolic protest. A small group of British military veterans throw off their medals outside Downing Street in protest at the bombing in Syria. "I threw my ribbons. And on and on it went. Kerry threw away the ribbons from his medals, along with the actual medals of two veterans who were not able to attend the ceremony, according to the candidate's Web site. Then they would turn around and throw awards, medals, ribbons, commendations and many other materials from the war over the fence at the foot of the statue. Speed was its saving grace but that wasnt always an option in narrow, heavily mined canals. It is ironic because that action thrust him into the public spotlight for the … They saw the government as the enemy of the United States because of its efforts to fight a war with no chance of true victory at the expense of young lives. February 8, 1971: South Vietnamese army suffers devastating losses in … Calling it a "phony controversy" instigated by the Republican party, Kerry said on Good Morning America today that he has always accurately said what took place. The veterans loved their country, but not their government. ", But Kerry told a much different story on Viewpoints. May 4, 1970: Kent State shooting. Originally designed to ferry oil workers to ocean rigs, swift boats offered flimsy protection. This includes family members with the signed authorization of the veteran. He reportedly invited a union official home to personally inspect his Silver Star, Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts, awarded for his combat duty as a Navy lieutenant. The statue outside of the US Capitol building where all the awards and medals were thrown by the veterans. "I'm proud of my medals. It is very simple.". Many different protest strategies were used including but not limited to: singing, guerrilla theater, occupation of monuments and offices, aggressive lobbying with officials, and camping on federal grounds. For the Veteran: in general, the military services will work replacement medal requests for the veteran at no cost. He also said he — and the military — didn't make a distinction between medals and ribbons. Medals of America offers a wide range of veteran merchandise such … In fact, the very action of criticizing the government is a very democratic principle that really is only able to happen because of democracy. Medals of America’s mission is to enable every Veteran and Service member to represent their service and display the medals our nation has awarded them through collectible and memorabilia items. "I was proud of my personal service and remain so," he told the National Journal. This is the sacrifice that this particular protest strategy symbolized – they were stripping themselves of any symbols that were trying to justify their actions in Vietnam, but also of their own honor. During the Vietnam war protests over 800 Veterans threw their medals away at the Capitol building. 9:54. The disputed incident happened 33 years ago this past weekend, on April 23, 1971, when Kerry led the group Vietnam Veterans Against the War in a protest against the war they fought. At issue is Kerry's participation in a 1971 protest at which several veterans discarded their medals in protest of the Vietnam War. In a newly surfaced 1971 interview with a Washington, D.C., television station, the young Kerry said he threw away "six, seven, eight, nine" medals. Many veterans were seen throwing their medals and ribbons over the fence in front of the U.S. Capitol. Because bullets could easily penetrate the hull, sailors hung flak jackets over the sides. Congress granted an … May 4, 1970: Kent State shooting. April 29, 1970: Cambodian incursion begins. Veterans throw away their war medals in disgust at British air strikes in Syria. Veterans throw away their war medals in disgust at British air strikes in Syria. This entire five day demonstration was perhaps the single most powerful anti-war demonstration in the US, firmly establishing VVAW as one of the leading forces in the … On Friday, April 23, more than 800 veterans individually tossed their medals, ribbons, discharge papers, and other war mementos on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, rejecting the Vietnam War and the significance of those awards. Dissent itself is a sacrifice, and true patriots will sacrifice everything for the love of their country. Watching the Chicago anti-NATO protest live was a very moving experience. The event was called Operation Dewey Canyon III by the veterans, named after a series of small scale incursions into Laos and Cambodia by the same name. By … WASHINGTON ON THE WAY to the fence where he threw some of his military decorations 33 years ago, I was 4 or 5 feet behind John Kerry.. As he neared the spot from which members of Vietnam Veterans Against the War were parting with a few of the trappings of their difficult past to help them face their future more squarely, I watched Kerry reach with his right hand into the breast pocket … I didn't have my medals. The ceremonial discarding of the combat medals came at the end of nearly a weeklong demonstration that Mr. Kerry had helped organize as a member of Vietnam Veterans Against the War. News of the horrors of war, the continued stalemate, and increasing civilian casualties were causing people to question a war they originally thought was for all the right reasons. After putting a sign on the statue in front of the Capitol building that read “TRASH,” one by one each veteran stood before the crowd of protestors and other onlookers and said their name, rank, regiment and the award they received from Vietnam. "In a real sense, this administration forced us to return our medals because beyond the perversion of the war, these leaders themselves denied us the integrity those symbols supposedly gave our lives," Kerry said the following day. It is an act of defiance, sacrifice, and true patriotism. Though their actions of throwing away awards for comrades could be seen as disrespectful, it was really a sign of sacrifice and symbolism of how they were martyrs for the wrong cause. Family of WW1 soldier reunited with medal he threw away. Part of the protest included veterans throwing their medals away, including Scott Olsen. They sacrificed their morals, their innocence, and, most importantly, their hearts. DCIII was highlighted by over 1,000 veterans throwing away their war medals at the Capitol steps in anger over the continuing war. They were calling them out for deceiving the American people, for continuing to enforce a war that could not be won, and for trying to cover up the atrocities that were committed by the military. They are typically not authorized for wear on active duty uniforms. Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands | affordable prices. ODN. Served outside Vietnam and still gave combat support for six months. ... Veterans Throw Medals - Chicago NATO. The true problem here wasn’t communism. The disputed incident happened 33 years ago this past weekend, on April 23, 1971, when Kerry led the group Vietnam Veterans Against the War in a protest against the war they fought. The disputed incident happened 33 years ago this past weekend, on April 23, 1971, when Kerry led the group Vietnam Veterans Against the War in a protest against the war they fought. Imagine giving up the only token you had to show for fighting in a war with no meaning and no just cause. ... "Apparently it was quite common for soldiers to throw their medals away at the time … Kerry was asked if he gave back the Bronze Star, Silver Star and three Purple Hearts he was awarded for combat duty as a Navy lieutenant in Vietnam. This strong statement was basically calling for revolution if necessary. The statement directly contradicts Kerry's most recent claims on the disputed subject to the Los Angeles Times last Friday. (CNSNews.com) - Did John F. Kerry throw away his Vietnam War medals or didn't he? I know that archives of the gifts left at the Vietnam memorial are retained, but what happened to these protest medals? Medals of the Vietnam War The medals created and awarded during the Vietnam War were awarded by the United States or the former government of South Vietnam to the Vietnamese military and the U.S. military. Medals of America proudly carries official Vietnam War medals and ribbons as well as commemorative medals for veterans and their families. Many veterans were seen throwing their medals and ribbons over the fence in front of the U.S. Capitol. What happened to them? President Barack Obama on Monday will bestow the Medal of Honor on a pair of soldiers for their acts of bravery in the Vietnam War. And in 1988, Kerry again clarified his statement by saying he threw out ribbons he had been awarded for three combat wounds, but not his medals. Throughout his presidential campaign, Kerry has denied that he threw away any of his medals during an anti-war protest in April 1971. Throwing away these medals issued by their government showed that they rejected their government and demanded change, adding also a threat of escalation if need be. There is a certain amount of disrespect that is evident in the protest, but that isn’t necessarily bad. One veteran threw away his nine Purple Hearts. Watching the Chicago anti-NATO protest live was a very moving experience. And in an interview with ABCNEWS' Peter Jennings last December, he said it was a "myth. The following video shows real footage from the event and commentary: By 1971, the perception of the Vietnam War was starting to become an extremely divisive topic in the eyes of the American people. The veterans threw their medals toward the convention center. This symbolic act by the veterans is one of the strongest acts of protest in American history. In other words, the government didn’t deserve respect. Hundreds of veterans threw their medals and other military commendations over the fence and in doing so rejected any characterisation of their service as valorous or patriotic. They were calling them out for deceiving the American people, for continuing to enforce a war that could not be won, and for trying to cover up the atrocities that were committed by the military. The veterans called it a “limited incursion into the country of Congress.” The week of demonstrations started at Arlington Cemetery and spread to other iconic venues in the nation’s capital throughout the week. The event was called Operation Dewey Canyon III by the veterans, named after a series of small scale incursions into Laos and Cambodia by the same name. The veterans called it a “limited incursion into the country of Congress.” The week of demonstrations started at Arlington Cemetery and spread to other iconic venues in the nation’s capital throughout the week. Part of the protest included veterans throwing their medals away, including Scott Olsen. –This medal is intended to honor the service of ALL Veterans of the Vietnam war, whether you served in Vietnam or in direct support of Vietnam. People said that the veterans against the Vietnam War were traitors, that they were disrespectful to their fallen comrades and their regiment, and that they were communist sympathizers. In a newly surfaced 1971 interview with a Washington, D.C., television station, the young Kerry said he threw away "six, seven, eight, nine" medals. "I gave back, I can't remember, six, seven, eight, nine medals," Kerry said in an interview on a Washington, D.C., news program on WRC-TV called Viewpoints on Nov. 6, 1971, according to a tape obtained by ABCNEWS. During the Vietnam war protests over 800 Veterans threw their medals away at the Capitol building. Another threw over the fence a can he used as a result of a war injury. (CNSNews.com) - Did John F. Kerry throw away his Vietnam War medals or didn't he? These Veterans loved their country, but not their government. VVAW Dewey Canyon III – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P1zXcQ3ZGw, A Vietnam War veteran speaking at an anti-war protest in Washington – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkJ2aIRQl-I, Vets throwing medals at Washington – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7jhs-bGyFQ, Forrest Gump: Best Scene – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcOTZeZ3_40, Dewey Canyon III – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Emg-a_qTFQ0, “Fortunate Son,” Creedence Clearwater Revival, 1969, “Main Titles from the HBO Miniseries Band of Brothers,” Michael Kamen, 2001, “Band of Brothers Requiem (Voice),” Michael Kamen, 2001, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/345510602634888996/, http://www.vvaw.org/veteran/article/?id=1882, http://www.vvaw.org/veteran/article/?id=112, http://www.viewsandthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/kerry-throwing-medals-1.jpg, http://media2.s-nbcnews.com/j/msnbc/components/slideshows/_production/ss-100429-vietnam/ss-100429-vietnam-24.nbcnews-ux-1024-900.jpg, http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/group-of-veterans-of-the-war-in-vietnam-protest-the-ongoing-conflict-picture-id515047862, Operation Dewey Canyon III – http://www.vvaw.org/veteran/article/?id=1656, Vietnam Veterans Against the War (Wikipedia) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_Veterans_Against_the_War, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P1zXcQ3ZGw, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkJ2aIRQl-I, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7jhs-bGyFQ, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcOTZeZ3_40, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Emg-a_qTFQ0, http://www.vvaw.org/veteran/article/?id=1656, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_Veterans_Against_the_War. 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