Cruiser, I was in Vietnam shortly after Mr. Kerry was. Believe me, I am very glad that I wasn't wounded once, regardless of how seriously, let alone three times (and it certainly wasn't because the opportunity wasn't there). And also believe me that, if I had been wounded and the opportunity had existed to go home early before Charlie had gotten luckier, you had better not have gotten between me and Ton Sun Nut Air Base.

As for the other medals, he earned them, in the judgement of his commanding officer, and they were his to keep or give away. If he decided to throw the medal ribbons over a fence and keep the big one with the hanging part, they were his to dispose of. They come in a nice blue box, you know, a big medal suitable for wearing on a dress uniform, a small one (that is the ribbon only) for the undress uniform, and a lapel pin. I'll show you mine if you show me yours.