"In 1961, a young African-American man, after hearing President
John F. Kennedy's challenge to, "Ask not what your country can do for you,
but what you can do for your country," gave up his student deferment, left
college in Virginia and voluntarily joined the Marines.
In 1963, this man, having completed his two years of service in the
Marines, volunteered again to become a Navy corpsman. (They provide
medical assistance to the Marines as well as to Navy personnel.)
The man did so well in corpsman school that he was the valedictorian and
became a cardiopulmonary technician. Not surprisingly, he was assigned to
the Navy's premier medical facility, Bethesda Naval Hospital , as a member
of the commander in chief's medical team, and helped care for President
Lyndon B. Johnson after his 1966 surgery.
For his service on the team, which he left in 1967, the White House
awarded him three letters of commendation.
What is even more remarkable is that this man entered the Marines and Navy
not many years after the two branches began to become integrated.
While this young man was serving six years on active duty, Vice President
Dick Cheney, who was born the same year as the Marine/ sailor, received
five deferments, four for being an undergraduate and graduate student and
one for being a prospective father.
Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, both five years younger than
the African-American youth, used their student deferments to stay in
college until 1968. Both then avoided going on active duty through family
connections.
Who is the real patriot? The young man who interrupted his studies to
serve his country for six years or our three political leaders who beat
the system? Are the patriots the people who actually sacrifice something
or those who merely talk about their love of the country?
After leaving the service of his country, the young African-American
finished his final year of college, entered the seminary, was ordained as
a minister, and eventually became pastor of a large church in one of
America 's biggest cities.
This man is Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the retiring pastor of Trinity United
Church of Christ.
He Earned the right to speak, just in case you may think that being an
American is not enough!"
The Rev. Jeremiah Wright is Navy, Marine vet - snopes.com
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