By C.J. JANOVY
Photo by Elana Gordon/KCUR
Vince Gunter got a life-changing phone call Sunday morning.
He had no big plans for the day when he got a call from Barack Obama’s campaign asking if he’d be willing to introduce the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee at the Truman Memorial Building in Independence yesterday.
“I was overwhelmed and thrilled,” he says. “I said yes, and they asked me to write down some remarks and send to the campaign." Gunter says he just jotted down some bullet points about what the 4th of July means to him, his service in Iraq and why he feels Obama displays the best judgment to lead the country. "They called back and said they liked what they wrote and didn’t change a thing.”
Gunter, an attorney for Shook, Hardy & Bacon, says Obama’s campaign was looking for a veteran, someone who had served in Iraq, to introduce Obama’s speech on patriotism.
Gunter enlisted in the Navy to earn money for college and later went to law school at University of Missouri-Kansas City with the help of an ROTC program, served in the JAG Corps and was eventually called to active duty in Iraq. He doesn’t like to talk about what he did to earn his Bronze Star. “It’s just kind of weird,” he says. “I think it relates to a helicopter crash I was in where two soldiers lost their lives, but somehow, through the grace of God, I did not. I don’t think I displayed any exceptional valor.”
The United States of America says otherwise.
Vince Gunter, left, in al Hatra.
Gunter’s Bronze Star citation reads, in part:
“He almost lost his life when the Blackwater helicopter in which he was a passenger was clipped from behind from an Apache helicopter that was believed to have taken enemy fire. Although this event resulted in the death of the two Apache helicopter pilots, CPT Gunter was able to survive this tragic ordeal only by his calm instinctive reaction and coolness under the most extreme circumstances.”
The citation also praises his legal work while serving as trial counsel for the 917th Corps Support Group.
“CPT Gunter personally provided instruction on continually revised rules of engagement and in so doing provided those units with the ability to respond to serious threat situations with appropriate and approved courses of action.… CPT Gunter’s exceptionally meritorious service went well beyond even the highest expectations for those officers having much higher rank. His actions and exceptional service directly improved the command’s ability to support combat operations throughout Iraq.”
For everyone who didn’t get to hear Gunter's speech, here’s the written version:
Good morning. I would like to welcome everyone to this historic visit by Senator Barack Obama. I am Vince Gunter, a lifelong citizen of this great area, a former captain in the United States Army Reserves, a veteran of the Iraq War, and a proud supporter of Senator Obama.These days leading up to our nation's celebration of its independence have always been my favorite time of year. It's hearing a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Listening to the Kansas City Symphony play Sousa's "The Stars and Stripes Forever." And it's witnessing the joy of kids setting off their fireworks. These symbolic gestures and many others never fail to remind me why I love this country so much. The American Revolution hero Nathan Hale got it right when he said "my only regret is that I have but one life to give for my country."
In late 2004 I came close to making that ultimate sacrifice for this great country. The irony is that before leaving for Iraq, I spent weeks trying to calm the fears of my wife and mother, both of whom knew far too well the terrible costs of war. My mother's oldest brother had perished in the Pacific during WWII and my wife's father had suffered a disabling brain injury caused by a landmine during the Vietnam War. So, trying to reassure my wife and mother that they had little to worry about was no easy task.
Unfortunately, my attempts at reassurance took a big hit little more than a week after being in Iraq, when in December 2004 the Blackhawk helicopter I was flying in collided with another helicopter over the city of Mosul, resulting in the loss of two invaluable and heroic servicemen. That incident shook me to the core. Despite having over 11 years of military service as both an enlisted member and officer, I had not previously thought much about my own mortality. I also had not given much critical thought to the merits of my country's involvement in Iraq. As a soldier, I held true to the famous line from Tennyson's Charge of the Light Brigade, "ours is not to reason why." But since that time, I privately have been doing a lot of reasoning regarding my country's involvement in Iraq. It was during this process when I became convinced that our next president must be Senator Obama, who consistently has provided the best foresight, judgment and leadership on Iraq and the military.
Further demonstrating that Senator Obama cares about U.S. service members is his unwavering support to modernize the GI Bill. The GI Bill means much to me. It is one of the key reasons why I chose to follow in the footsteps of my father and eight uncles in joining the military. As a son of working-class parents, I could not have attended college without GI benefits. The unfortunate thing, however, is that even by the mid 1990s, when I went to college, my GI benefits were not enough to cover my full tuition. It took a full ROTC scholarship and six additional years of service for that.
Today, we are joined by someone who has a far more compelling story, one that would not have been possible in any other country on Earth.
His love for our country is rooted in both the unique opportunities it has offered him and countless others, but also the ideals it was founded on.
For his entire adult life, he has worked to promote those ideals and ensure the blessing of America for all citizens, as a community organizer, a civil rights attorney, a constitutional law professor, a State Senator, a US Senator, and now as a Presidential candidate.
It is my pleasure and privilege to welcome Senator Barack Obama to Independence today.
Before yesterday, Gunter had only seen Obama on television. In person, he says, the candidate is “ten times” more energetic and charismatic.
Gunter imagines he’ll never have another opportunity to participate in something so historic. “I do expect that he will be the president of the United States,” Gunter says. “We all have our 15 minutes of fame. That’s something I’ll definitely tell my daughter and hopefully my grandchildren one day.”
Regardless of what happens in the election, here's a salute to CPT Gunter.
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Dignan: Bob Mapplethorpe, potential get-away driver: go!
Bob: Well, I think there's a real air of mystery about me.
Dignan: Don't complicate it. Your number one strength is you have a car you can provide. Sell yourself! Start over. Ready, go!
Bob: Okay, alright. I'm a risk taker! I'm growin' an entire crop of marijuana plants in my parents back yard! I think that shows...
Dignan: Wait, you're growing an entire crop of marijuana in your back yard?
Bob: Dignan, look. I'm just not very good at this selling-yourself stuff, okay? So, I'm just gonna tell you the truth. I really wanna be a part of this team. And I'm the only one with a car.
Dignan: That's good. That's good. 'Cause that hits me right here.
TALK RADIO?!?!?! You NAILED me! I do listen to talk radio every time I am in the car, and it is always NPR. But I would argue that I sound nothing like NPR. For one, I know I will not change your mind by spewing propaganda. Plus, I really try to present in an interesting and comedic manner. If you have ever listened to NPR, you know that it has the unique characteristic that you can zone out at times without realizing it.
And, Michael, while I cannot pull a Bronze Star out of my drawer, I can pull an Honorable Discharge from the United States Army. So, as much as it stings, I am one of the reasons YOU can post your bullshit. Not sure if that means I am also one of the reasons that I can post my bullshit, but I like to think so.
I suspect Vince got the call because a former SHB partner (who is also the wife of a current SHB partner) quit her high six-figure job to work for the Obama campaign.
Of course, I could be wrong - I could've sworn Vince was Republican and a McCain supporter, based on my conversations with him. I guess that picture of him and President Bush that he keeps in his office is just a figment of my imagination.
I'm related to Vince and remember him leaving for Iraq, receiving his dispatches, waiting for news after the crash and the relief shared by the family upon his return. Vince is a good guy and has my respect for his service to our country and for many other reasons. But I will not vote for Obama and it has nothing to do with Iraq. I question Obama's judgement on the people he has continued to associate with for the last 20 years, his business dealings, his lack of respect for the Constitution and it's Bill of Rights. I question his ideas on taxes, alternative fuels, health care, the enviroment and illegal immigration. I question his qualifications,experience and his statements on foreign policy. Since he has been in the Senate what has he accomplished other than becoming the Democratic nominee? Vince may feel that Mr. Obama should be president because of Iraq, but I will ask him - is that reason enough in light of all the reasons why he should not be president?
I know Vincent, he is a reserved, kind and decent man. He did his JOB, and anyone that wishes to minimze his contribution to this country is ill-advised and ignorant. You may not like Operation Freedom or the candidate that Vincent introduced but I invite you to look in your dresser and see if you can find a Bronz Star.
Show some respect! You get to spout your nonsense because of men like Vincent Gunter!
trevor, you're a lot like talk radio, which i bet you just love. instead of making substantive arguments or making a real point you just pick little holes in everyone elses. yeah, you got me on generalizing, but you calling me out is you the pot calling the kettle black . . . and probably an unpatriotic secret muslim to boot.
(more generalizing. for comic effect.)
Vince is my cousin and I am extremely proud of his service and sacrifice for our country. We were all shook up when we heard about the helicopter crash and our family's near tragedy--while two other families were not so fortunate and lost a son, brother, or cousin.
I won't vote for Obama, but it is not because he didn't serve in the military it's because I vehemently disagree with him on almost every issue. Try to debate the actual policy differences, which are maney, instead of insulting eachother.
Gus, my man, help me. Is "getting an America boner" a generalization or complex thinking?
Besides, we all know you LOVE soliders...you practically are one you are so close to them. I mean, finding a guy that actually saw your candidate on TV once...how much closer can you get?!?!?!
Gus, my man, help me. Is "getting an America boner" a generalization or complex thinking?
Besides, we all know you LOVE soliders...you practically are one you are so close to them. I mean, finding a guy that actually saw your candidate on TV once...how much closer can you get?!?!?!
trevor, the difference between you and the rest of the population is that our brains can handle complex thinking. when you imply all pitch writers are liberals, all liberals hate soldiers, and that this all means that a Democrat hanging with soldiers is somehow hypocritical, you're really just indulging in silly generalizations.
just cause the democrats question unneeded wars and don't get a great big america boner everytime the flag is raised doesnt mean they "hate" reservists.
Wait, judging from the manner in which most of you went after President Bush's military service, I thought you guys hated Reservists and National Guardsmen. If I remember correctly the implications were that non-regular army folks were hardly in the military at all. Heck, they were practically the same as you as far as serving their country. Oh well, I suppose finding a guy SO CLOSE to the campaign (after all Gunter DID see Obama on television before) that is also in the military just plainly proves how capable Obama is to be Commander in Chief. All we need to do is get more TVs to the troops and Obama will practically be one of them!!!
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