• Kerry criticizes Bush on plan to shift troops

Two Vietnam veterans - Jere Hill of Wareham, Mass., Kerry's home state, and Bob Gibson of Lexington, Ky., stood side-by-side during the entire speech with their backs turned to the Democratic presidential candidate.

“I am a registered Republican, but I have never voted a straight ticket,” Hill said. “I have never voted for Kerry. Never will.”

Bill Self, a VFW member from Mount Airy, Md., who has yet to make up his mind, sat near the two and didn't appreciate their action.

“For most of us, our mothers taught us better manners than that,” he said.