Quayle Says He Won’t Apologize for Guard Service
Vice President Dan Quayle told families of missing servicemen today that he’ll never apologize for his Vietnam-era service in the National Guard, but that those who fought made a “far, far greater” sacrifice than he.
Quayle noted his National Guard service, which became an issue in the 1988 presidential campaign, in a speech opening the 21st annual meeting of the 3,650-member National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia.
“As you know, during the Vietnam era, I served in the Indiana National Guard,” he said. “And while I have not apologized, and never will, for my National Guard service, I recognize that the members of my generation who served in Vietnam made a sacrifice for their country that was far, far greater than mine.
“The men and women who served in Vietnam were heroes--not just because of their deeds of valor--but because they served at a time when words like duty, honor and country had lost their meaning for many,” Quayle said. “For the rest of my life, I will live in admiration of their courage.”
As George Bush’s running mate, Quayle was dogged by accusations that he avoided combat duty by joining the National Guard.
The issue surfaced again May 9 when some members of the American Legion of Paris boycotted a ceremony at which Quayle spoke.
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