WASHINGTON — Both the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars issued a joint statement today condemning the U.S. Navy over the launch of its newest warship, the USS Jane Fonda.
"Without getting into Jane Fonda's activities during the Vietnam War, we feel that it is highly inappropriate to name a warship after an actress with no ties to the military," said James Mitchell, a spokesman for both groups.
The ship's name, which had been kept under wraps until right before the launch, was revealed yesterday at a star-studded event presided over by Ms. Fonda.
Ms. Fonda made a statement prior to the launch, saying, "I dedicate this ship to the brave men who fought and died in Vietnam, especially those in the 66th Viet Cong Regiment."
The actress is extremely unpopular among some military groups for her activities during the Vietnam War, such as posing for propaganda pictures with North Vietnamese soldiers, referring to American prisoners of war as "hypocrites and liars", and more recently cutting the line at a Target in front of a guy wearing an American flag t-shirt.
