The news headlines today are discussing Richard Blumenthal’s statements about his military service. Mr. Blumenthal, a candidate for the United States Senate, reportedly attended the six month Marines boot camp at Parris Island, S.C., and served six years in the Marine Reserve, beginning in 1970, none of it overseas. Before that, Blumenthal got five deferments to avoid going to war between 1965 and 1970. However, his statement that has been plastered over the news was from a veterans event he previously spoke at in Shelton, CT during which he said, "When we returned from Vietnam, I remember the taunts, the verbal and even physical abuse we encountered," according to a 2008 Connecticut Post story.
One of the interesting things about this statement is his use of the pronoun “we” (‘When we returned…’ and ‘abuse we encountered…’). His use of the pronoun “we” indicates that he was in Vietnam and also encountered abuse along with other veterans upon returning home; but he wasn’t and he didn’t. This is why the news media is aggressively reporting this story. One may argue that since he was a Marine and did serve his country, he may have an affinity and connection to the returning veterans and inadvertently use the pronoun “we” demonstrating unity and support. I did a brief internet search for veteran’s statements and found the following:
- “After my return from Vietnam, I got to wear my Marine uniform with all the ribbons I earned…”
- “In February 1971 when I returned home, besides the lame questions of how many babies did I have to kill and how many villages did I help burn down, I had a little incident on a NYC bus. Wearing my Marine uniform with my ribbons from Vietnam (including my Purple Heart), the bus driver said that I could get on the bus for free, but I had to sit in the back of the bus. He didn't want me to cause any trouble.”
- “I came home from Vietnam a changed man, disgusted and disillusioned.”
“In 1971, the year I returned from Vietnam, VVAW held perhaps its most famous anti-war action -- Dewey Canyon III” - “After the helicopter on which I was a passenger was shot down southeast of Quong Tri City, South Viet Nam, I was captured by the Viet Cong and taken to North Viet Nam where I was detained for more than five years.”
All of these statements by veterans are reported by them in first person using the pronoun “I” and do not use the pronoun “we”. Admittedly an unscientific survey, but with a few clicks on the “search” button I (not “we”… because “I” actually conducted the search and hit the enter button) was able to find language differences between Mr. Blumenthal and other veterans regarding their service and their return from Vietnam.
The news and controversy surrounding Richard Blumenthal’s statement highlights the need to look at language, specifically pronouns, and the value they can provide during investigative interviews and criminal interrogations. Typically, when someone describes an event they personally witnessed or experienced they will use the first person pronoun “I” and use past tense verbs, such as the statements above by the other veterans. When people describe something they witnessed or experienced and do not use the pronoun “I” (and they do that through several ways, including the use or over-use of the pronoun “we”) it would be wise to use that as a signal to question further. The use of the pronoun “I” adds commitment to what is stated, lack of it, well, lacks commitment.
Lastly, regarding the middle portion of Richard Blumenthal’s statement, “…I remember the taunts, the verbal and even physical abuse…” Rather than say “I was taunted, and verbally and physically abused” (first person/past tense = commitment) he stated “I remember the taunts...” This weakens the statement because we expect him to say only what he remembers, so for him to feel the need to say “I remember the taunts…” is another signal that we should question further. Back in 2008 Hillary Clinton had a similar comment when she stated “I remember landing under sniper fire” in reference to a trip she had to Bosnia. This was proven to be untrue and she later stated she “misremembered” the incident.
Some may say he “misplaced words” or he “misspoke” and some may say she “misremembered” the incident; regardless of the label you want to put on it, view it as a marker…a ‘hot point’ if you will…that further questioning is necessary before accepting such statements as the truth.
Wesley Clark
