RUSH: Here’s Dennis in Dayton, Ohio, as we go back to the phones. Welcome to the program, sir.
CALLER: Hello, Rush.
RUSH: Yes.
CALLER: I told Snerdley the topic, but I’m going to beg your permission to give you a 30-second compliment because I know it’s hard for you to take that sometimes from your callers, but I’ve waited three years to say this, and it’s dear to my heart so I’m going to ask you permission and if I still have time to make a point, I’ll do it then. May I do that?
RUSH: Well, I’m in a really good mood today. Normally I would say no because I get compliments from everybody, but today I’m in a real good mood, so go ahead.
CALLER: I’m a Purple Heart Vietnam vet. I was in Vietnam for two years, and I don’t want to go into all what happened, but it was the last presidential election, the 2004 campaign, you were talking about the service of the Vietnam veterans and what we did and why we did it. And I’m telling you, sir, it brought tears to my eyes. I’ve not had that articulated so well. They say you gotta be in combat to understand what people in combat go through, you know, there’s truth to that, but you don’t gotta be there to know why we are there. And I just want to tell you, you know, when I came home, people like Ted Kennedy and John Kerry tried to steal our honor, tried to shame our service, and —
RUSH: Yes, they did.
CALLER: — it was a horrible thing.
RUSH: Yes, they did.
CALLER: Those of that ilk are trying to do the same thing now to our soldiers down in Iraq. And, you know, I weep when I read about lives being lost and I know what those young men and women are facing. And I want to tell you, thank God for you, for calling these people to task, because let me tell you, you are a true believer. I know it’s just a talk show. It’s not just that. I know it’s entertainment. That’s what you’re there for, but I tell you I know in my heart of hearts you’re a true believer. You understand what a great country this is, and why those who risks their lives, why we do so, because it’s not frivolous, it’s not trivial. Shame on those on the left. Shame on those on the left who trivialize the lives of those men and women who fight for our country. And that’s, Rush, that’s what I wanted to tell you, and I waited three years to tell you that. I know you have your baggage. Today you say you’re in a good mood, I can’t imagine you do your job as well as you do because you’re always positive, but I know you gotta have the down days and when you have a down day, there’s a lot of us out there, just think of that, a lot of us.
RUSH: Dennis, you’re making my day. I appreciate so much what you said. Thank you el mucho.