Today let us celebrate Veterans Day by paying tribute to Max Cleland, former Senator of Georgia, a Vietnam war hero who nevertheless was smeared in the 2002 Senate campaign by the current Senator Saxby Chambliss.
From Wikipedia:
Joseph Maxwell Cleland was born in Atlanta, Georgia on August 24, 1942. He grew up in Lithonia and graduated from Stetson University, class of 1964, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He went on to receive a Master's degree from Emory University.
Cleland then served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, attaining the rank of Captain. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Bronze Star for valorous action in combat, including during the Battle of Khe Sanh on April 4th, 1968 where he incurred dire injuries
.
The congressional citation he received reported that under:
...heavy enemy rocket and mortar attack Captain Cleland, disregarding his own safety, exposed himself to the rocket barrage as he left his covered position to administer first aid to his wounded comrades. He then assisted in moving the injured personnel to covered positions." The citation concluded, "Cleland's gallant action is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
As a result of his injuries, Cleland's legs were amputated as was his right forearm.
In 1977, Cleland was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to head Veteran Affairs, a post he held until 1981. While there he developed a program to extend psychological counseling to Veterans. He was an on-set consultant to the Oscar winning movie Coming Home.
Cleland was elected to the Senate representing Georgia following the retirement of Sam Nunn.
One might think that Max Cleland is the type of person who would never be subject to attacks on his patriotism. You might think that if you'd never heard of Saxby Chambliss. Watch Chambliss's 2002 ad attacking Cleland during the debate over the Iraq War and during their Senate contest:
Let's not forget what Max Cleland has contributed to the country and what Saxby Chambliss has not. Currently, Chambliss is in a runoff with Jim Martin for the Georgia seat. Read Ann Rose's excellent diary on how you can send Shameless Saxby to his well-deserved retirement:
GA SEN-Obama sending team to Georgia
And as an added incentive to show this guy the door, John McCain is campaigning for him on Thursday despite denouncing his tactics during the 2002 race.