Eaton Slaps Back At Bob Tuke

By Kleinheider Posted on July 25, 2008 at 6:00 pm

Yesterday, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Kenneth Eaton fired off an inflammatory blog posting making light of opponent Bob Tuke’s service in Vietnam. Tuke responded late today to the offensive. Now Mr. Eaton has returned the volley:

Mr. Tuke,

First of all I will not apologize for being 12 years old during your service in Vietnam and second of all, I’m not questioning your service, but your flagrant abuse of the Marine uniform for your own personal and political gain. Quoting your reluctant hero Alvin C. York:

” This uniform ain’t for sale.”
~ York, on demands for his endorsement

and

“It’s over; let’s just forget about it.”
~ York’s modesty about the the event that brought him the Medal of Honor

Sincerely,

Kenneth Eaton

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Tags: Bob Tuke, desk jockeys, ground-pounders, Ken Eaton, telling the difference, this is awesome  

Tuke Campaign Retorts: Eaton Slept Soundly While Bob Went To War

By Kleinheider Posted on at 4:01 pm

The Bob Tuke for U.S. Senate campaign has issued a retort in response to opponent Kenneth Eaton’s blog posting of yesterday where he called into question Tuke’s Vietnam service referring to Tuke as a “desk jockey.” Via Communications man Chris Song:

Mr. Eaton’s comment questioning Bob Tuke’s service as a Marine Vietnam combat veteran is a slap in the face to Marine infantrymen, or “ground-pounders,” everywhere.

In 1971, Bob Tuke and other United States Marines went to war so Mr. Eaton could sleep safely in his bed, and while we acknowledge whatever second-hand experiences Mr. Eaton has with war and military service, we simply ask of him to speak of Marine “ground-pounders” across Tennessee with some degree of respect.

Bob Tuke commanded a company of Combined Action Forces in Vietnam, leading six infantry platoons in hostile territory and earning a Cross of Gallantry in combat, among other decorations for his service.

Bob Tuke’s service has attracted endorsements from key veterans across America. In addition to General Wesley Clark and former Georgia Senator Max Cleland, Bob has more than thirty Tennessee veterans endorsing his campaign as a part of “Veterans for Tuke.” These veterans, many of whom served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, trust and support Bob Tuke.

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Tags: Bob Tuke, desk jockeys, ground-pounders, Ken Eaton