Medal of Honor remarks spark controversy

One Iowa, the state's leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocate, on Thursday urged Bob Vander Plaats to denounce provocative comments about the Medal of Honor made by an associate, Bryan Fischer, issues director of the Tupelo, Miss., based American Family Association.

Iowa For Freedom State Chairman Bob Vander Plaats responded that Fischer does not speak for him or for Iowa for Freedom.

Fischer's group was a leading financial contributor in the recent, successful Vander Plaats-led effort to unseat three of the Iowa Supreme Court justices whose ruling legalized same-sex marriage in Iowa.

Shortly after Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta was awarded the medal on Tuesday, Fischer posted a blog on the organization's Web site asserting that the award has been “feminized.”

Though he acknowledged that Giunta, who grew up in Hiawatha, deserved the nation's highest military award, he lamented that the medal is now awarded for saving lives rather than inflicting casualties on the enemy.

Giunta, who is credited with killing one Taliban fighter and wounding another in the Oct. 25, 2007, attack in which his heroism was recognized, of course did both.

“With friends like this, it's painfully clear that Bob Vander Plaats is out of step with Iowans,” said One Iowa Executive Director Carolyn Jenison.

Vander Plaats, the son of a World War II veteran, said he understands the sacrifices those in the U.S. military such as Staff Sgt. Giunta make to preserve Americans' liberties and freedoms.

“It is disappointing a group would try to settle a score and try to make me accountable for words that aren't mine,” Vander Plaats said.

Frank Thorne of Des Moines, A Marine veteran who served in Vietnam, said Fischer's statements dishonor Giunta's service and the sacrifices he has made for his country.

“To claim that risking one's life in the service of our country is anything less than noble disparages the men and women who risk their lives each day to protect us,” said another Vietnam veteran, Bob Eikleberry of Des Moines.