Editor, the News-Herald:

In reference to the letter from Mr. Harwood that you published Sunday, his Bush bashing is nothing new. His statements are not original but straight from the Democrats’ play book.

Where is it written that elected officials must be war veterans and heroes? Did Mr. Harwood help elect Bill Clinton because of his impeccable military record? Is he now supporting John Kerry because of his running mate’s sterling military record?

In Vietnam Mr. Kerry was assigned to Swiftboat 44 on Dec 1, 1968.

Within 24 hours he had his first Purple Heart. He accumulated two more in four months with not one day lost from duty or a trip to sick bay or an aid station. It’s a pity we cannot read his Purple Heart medical records which have been withheld from the public.

The only person preventing their release is Mr. Kerry. It would seemthat since he places so much importance on Mr. Bush’s military record he would be glad to make his public.

Mr. Kerry broke faith with his fellow veterans when he returned home and hooked up with &uot;Hanoi&uot; Jane Fonda and with her financial aid led highly visible protests against the war while the veterans he loved so much were still dying and being wounded in Vietnam.

If the people of this country elect John Kerry as president it will be the saddest day we have seen in many years. He is not qualified or capable of being the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces.

Macon N. Sanford

Suffolk