Ralph Peters on John Kerry in the New York Post today:

... real heroes don't call themselves heroes. Honorable soldiers or sailors don't brag. They let their deeds speak for themselves. Some of the most off-putting words any veteran can utter are "I'm a war hero."

Real heroes (and I've been honored to know some) never portray their service in grandiose terms, telling TV cameras that they're reporting for duty. Real heroes may be proud of the sacrifices they offered, but they don't shout for attention.

This is so profoundly a part of the military code of behavior that it cannot be over-emphasized. The rule is that those who brag about being heroes usually aren't heroes at all. Bragging is for drunks at the end of the bar, not for real vets. And certainly not for anyone who wishes to trade on his service to become our commander-in-chief.


Ralph Peters on George W. Bush in the New York Post, May 12, 2003:

One of the few things more painful to watch than a kiddie talent show is the desperate effort of the Democratic Party's White House hopefuls to gain any traction against President Bush.

They're spinning their wheels in the political mud. While the president flies off to thank the cheering crew of an aircraft carrier for a military triumph.

That carrier visit really irked the Dems....

It doesn't matter that not one sailor complained and that the carrier crew was thrilled by the visit. Or that visits to the troops by other presidents have been far more elaborate, expensive and less considerate of those in uniform. What really bothered the Dems was that the president looked like a successful wartime leader in his flight suit.

To our disloyal opposition, that was worse than his actual status as a successful wartime leader. They can ignore the facts, but they won't forgive a photo op.