“You don’t think this is going to look like we’re reacting to him? I put one of these things on, and the next thing you’re going to hear is that I’m only doing it because I’m scared of him,” I told him.
“In this case we are scared of him.” He pushed the bag towards me.
I pushed it back. “No we’re not.” What I couldn’t figure out was why Stewart was attempting this. He must have known I was a decorated veteran by now.
“Carl, you are speaking to the American Legion in Parkton this Friday night. You don’t wear one of the flag pins, you might as well write off their votes.”
I put the bag in my pocket, just to humor Brewster. “You worry too much, Brew. Come with me to the Post Friday night. It will be fine.”
We got a babysitter for the kids that night, and Marilyn and I both went to the Legion Post in Parkton, where Brewster was to meet us. I had on a nice blue blazer and white shirt, with pressed khakis, and the only thing patriotic was a red, white, and blue striped tie. Marilyn was wearing a very pretty knee length dress, also in red, white, and blue, though it was a flowered print. I didn’t have a flag pin.
Brewster took one look at me and immediately pulled a pin from his pocket. I noticed he already had one in his own lapel. “Did you forget, or were you just planning to piss these guys off?”
I stopped him. “Behave Brewster. I know what I’m doing. Now, knock it off and watch.”
Before I was called up to speak, I met with several people, many of whom were wearing a flag pin on their lapels. By now I knew Andy’s whispering campaign was in full stride, since almost everyone was glancing at my bare lapel. That was fine by me. When I was introduced, I decided to grab the bull by the horns.
I picked up the microphone and spoke into it. “Thank you all for inviting me here to the Post. It’s a pleasure to meet you all, and I can say that I already know a few of you. Right there in the second row is my neighbor, John Caples, who owns the farm across the road from me. My wife Marilyn and I have bought a lot of sweet corn from him over the years. I also saw Bill Elliott and Barry Henderson; didn’t know you guys were in the Legion. Thanks for inviting me.” It was a typical American Legion crowd, with some old timers going back to World War II and Korea, and others from Viet Nam and more recent conflicts.
“Anyway, before I get too much further along, let’s get something taken care of. I would bet that everyone here has now heard the complaints that I don’t wear an American flag pin in my lapel. Is that true? Have you all heard that?” I asked. I looked around and smiled. “Go ahead! Raise your hands!”
There was a fair bit of surprise at my bringing this up, and several voices spoke up in agreement. Slowly a few hands were raised, and then eventually most of the room raised their hands. In the back I saw a couple of reporters jotting in notepads. I wondered whether they had been invited by Brewster, or more likely, by Andy Stewart.
“I’ve certainly heard the stories. Where better to address the issue than here at the American Legion. My answer is this. I think we’ve all been taught that actions speak louder than words, right?” I looked out over the room and smiled at the number of people murmuring to each other and nodding their heads. “Okay, then. I’m just not the kind of guy who really wears much in the way of jewelry or pins. I don’t wear much more than my wedding band, my college ring, or my watch.” In each case I held up the appropriate hand. “Well, there is something else I wear.” I moved my spare hand under my tie and unbuttoned my shirt. I reached inside and pulled out my dogs tags. “I still wear my old dog tags.” I tucked them away, and then reached in my left pants pocket. “And here’s one last piece of jewelry I could wear if I wanted.”
This was the reason I wasn’t worried about the lapel pin. Let them all stare at my lapel. It was pretty obvious to me by now that Andy still didn’t really know who the hell I was. He must have researched me beyond the fact that I was a billionaire murderer. I pulled out the oblong metal case that military decorations are presented in and set it on the podium. There was a loud murmur as people saw me lift the top up. I hadn’t opened this since I had gotten it years ago, except for earlier in the day, when I dug it out of my desk drawer. I pulled out my Bronze Star and held it up for the audience. “I’m not one to wave around my medals, but I think you all know what a Bronze Star is.” I pinned it to my lapel.
“Now, in case anybody here thinks I went down to Sunny’s Surplus this morning and picked this up, here’s something to read. Marilyn?” I gestured to my wife, and she stood up and came over, and opened up this gigantic purse she had. “Folks, this is my wife Marilyn. Now, to be honest, she earned this even more than I did, because while I was deployed overseas, she was back home in Fayetteville having our son. Anyway, she had this plaque made up for me. We’ll pass it around for you to look at. The photo is from my retirement parade. You’ve seen my cane; it was from my last jump, when I earned that. Back then I was known as Captain Buckman, Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.” I motioned Marilyn to hand the plaque to somebody in the audience.
“Now, when Andy Stewart was 24, he was going to law school. When I was 24, I was commanding some of our nation’s finest troops! When he was studying how to sue people, I was studying how to defend them! When he was firing lawsuits at people, I was teaching my lieutenants to fire 105s at them! If Andy Stewart wants to thump his chest and wave his flag pin, great! I’m not going to thump my chest and bray like an ass. I used to defend the real flag! Now, ask yourself, who do you think is more qualified to figure out the real issues with our nation’s defense, Andy Stewart or Carl Buckman!?”
The room was stunned, but then erupted in applause. I kept going. “Now, I’m not going to sit here and brand myself a hero. Andy Stewart picked this fight, not me — but I will finish this fight! I will bet long odds that some of you out there earned medals. You know why I don’t wear this routinely, because you don’t wear it for yourself, you wear it for those who can’t. I look around this room and I see men who served just like me. Some of you were drafted. Some of you volunteered.” I gave a big grin, and continued, “And some of you volunteered one step ahead of the draft board or a judge. Yeah, I know how it works.” That got some chuckles around the room.
“Why are you going to vote for me? Because I’m the guy who knows what it takes to keep your sons and grandsons prepared as best they can be. Not safe, but prepared and trained and supported. I won’t promise to keep them safe, because you and I both know it can be a dirty and dangerous business. However, if they get hurt, I’m the guy who spent time at Walter Reed, and knows what it takes to make sure their medical treatment is the best it can be. Then, when they are out of the service, I’ll be the guy who can make sure that they are treated properly as veterans, just like you would want! And guess what? It might not be your sons or grandsons! More girls are enlisting every day. It might be your daughters and granddaughters!”
“Now, who do you want making sure your concerns are being addressed? Andy Stewart can wrap himself in the flag and sing himself to sleep with the National Anthem, but do you really think he’s the guy to help you, to help your children and grandchildren? Or do you think a guy who served like you is the one to help? I can help because I understand. Can Andy Stewart say that?”
I pushed it a little bit longer and ended up with a standing ovation. I was also asked to speak to the post in Westminster, which I accepted. Brewster was astonished, both by my speech and by the level of donations I received. I just laughed at him. “Brewster, I told you not to worry. Just watch. Andy Stewart is going to learn about this and shut down this attack real damn fast!”