The AP reports that documentation should have been done to explain Bush's gaps in his National Guard Service for our country during the Vietnam War. Not only are the records 'lost' it is reported they do not exist.
This is an ongoing story that needs to be headline news. If you rate it on Yahoo it will remain a top story. The Bush campaign has made Vietnam a top election year story so let's make them eat their words.
The AP states in the article, "For example, Air National Guard regulations at the time required commanders to write an investigative report for the Air Force when Bush missed his annual medical exam in 1972. The regulations also required commanders to confirm in writing that Bush received counseling after missing five months of drills."
Bush has stated, "I'm proud of my service." And what is he proud of specifically? Could it be ... "It's sort of a code of honor that you didn't go DNF (duty not including flying)," said retired Air Force Col. Leonard Walls, who flew 181 combat missions over Vietnam. "There was a lot of pride in keeping combat-ready status." Bush and combat ready status? Not a chance.
"A May 1973 yearly evaluation from Bush's Texas unit gives the future president no ratings and stated Bush had not been seen at the Texas base since April 1972. In a directive from June 29, 1973, an Air Force personnel official pressed Bush's unit for information about his Alabama service. This officer should have been reassigned in May 1972, wrote Master Sgt. Daniel P. Harkness, since he no longer is training in his AFSC or with his unit of assignment."
There's more that will curl your toes and make your blood boil ...
There's more for Bush to be proud of, "Records of a required investigation into why Bush lost flight status. When Bush skipped his 1972 physical, regulations required his Texas commanders to "direct an investigation as to why the individual failed to accomplish the medical examiniation," according to the Air Force manual at the time. An investigative report was supposed to be forwarded "with command recommendation" to Air Force officials "for final determination."
"A written acknowledgement from Bush that he had received the orders grounding him. His Texas commanders were ordered to have Bush sign such a document; but none has been released."
"Then Major Rufus G. Martin replied November 12, 1973: "Not rated for the period May 1, 1972 through April 30, 1973. Report for this period not available for administrative reasons."
The Bush family must be proud. The entire article is available here:
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&u=/ap/20040905/ap_on_el_pr/bush_national_guard
&printer=1