ROCKY HILL, Conn. (AP) — The commander of the Connecticut's Veterans of Foreign Wars says he's outraged that Attorney General Richard Blumenthal would say he was in Vietnam.

A New York Times story on Tuesday said Blumenthal said at a 2008 event that he had served "in Vietnam."

Richard DiFederico says Blumenthal had been considered one of the best friends a veteran in Connecticut could have, and it's a shame he has let a false claim change that. DiFederico says Blumenthal's remarks diminish the service of all Vietnam veterans.

Blumenthal says the report distorts his record and he has always tried to make it clear his Marine Reserve service never took him overseas.

Ron Rusakiewicz, a 65-year-old vet from Milford, says he was a Blumenthal supporter until he saw video of the attorney general's 2008 speech on the Internet.