I am writing in response to the letter from Kathleen Morin (Aug. 8). I have read “Unfit for Command” and “Stolen Valor,” and regardless of opinions to the contrary, those books have been found to be more factual than not. Factual enough that John Kerry has not, to date, been able to counter the claims made by the authors about him.

I don’t know Paul Lowell, but I do know Bob Macdonald. He, too, served in Vietnam, in a U.S. Marine Corps rifle company. He was combat wounded, getting his Purple Heart medal the old way, by earning it. Bob never talked much of his experiences; he didn’t build his life on events from 35 years in the past. What counted was what he did with the rest of his life.

I don’t care about Kerry in Vietnam; but I do care about his lies and treasonous behavior when he came back to the United States. I remember Kerry testifying in 1971 about atrocities that never occurred. If Kerry was a hero in Vietnam, he gave that away when he threw his medals over the White House fence.

The legacy I want for my children is of freedom for two previously oppressed countries. The legacy of freedom that the U.S. has represented for more than 200 years.

Lastly, I know of one real hero: Thomas J. McMahon. Go to the McMahon School in Lewiston and read his citation for the Medal of Honor.

All gave some, but some gave all.

Francis K. Keough, Auburn