We feel we have been used in the worst fashion by the administration of this country. ... And we cannot consider ourselves America's best men when we are ashamed of and hated what we were called on to do in Southeast Asia.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Kerry expresses feeling betrayed by the government regarding the Vietnam War and shame over actions taken.
- In plain terms
- The government used soldiers poorly, making them ashamed of their actions in Vietnam.
- What can you take from it?
- Soldiers deserve better treatment and honesty from leaders.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How should leaders treat soldiers?
- When does policy fail troops?
Another view
Some argue military necessity justifies actions in war.
More from John Kerry
How do you ask a man to be the last man to die in Vietnam? How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?
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