Dec 07, 2008 - 04:05:30 CST
The location was downtown Los Angeles and the time was the dog days of summer. The place was the Selective Service Center. I was a 19-year-old college student and my school credits had fallen below the number required to retain a student deferment.I was also one of hundreds of young men who were being paraded around wearing nothing but boxers or briefs, in front of opened windows subjects to view by those walking the sidewalk.
We were undergoing pre-military physicals and those who passed were likely headed to Vietnam.
That was my closest-ever experience to a cattle call. While it was fun, in a crazy sort of way, it was also a bit demeaning, threatening and scary. Military men were barking orders, and obviously less than amused with the pranks and attitudes of the long-haired would-be hippies and rebels.
The details were a bizarre mix of things, like sharing urine with those who couldn't (or didn't want to) pee in a cup, broken needles and marks missed on arms at the blood-draw station, and some tall tales being told by some in an effort to "get out."
My mind was made up. I would not escape to Canada and I would not shirk my duty. If called, I would answer, and if necessary, I would crawl through and fight in the jungles of a strange and foreign country.
After all, we were going to fight for freedom, right?
I wasn't called. The story is too long to tell why, but I was given an "only in case of all-out war" designation and sent back to college.
As far as wars go, Americans tend to have a view of them as good or bad, often depending upon the outcome, length of conflict and prevailing feelings of citizens. That can vacillate based upon public perceptions, propaganda or persuasive arguments (fact or fiction). Many, for instance, looked at Vietnam as a "bad war." The Gulf War, by contrast, was a "good war." It didn't last long and America won.
Over the years, I have come to believe there is no such thing as a good war. War is a horrible thing. My beliefs, however, are balanced with the understanding that wars have been a part of life forever, will continue to be and can be necessary.
But what makes a war necessary? It is a question for our current age, and it isn't easily answered, especially in a newspaper column with limited words and only one person's point of view.
But for argument's sake, let's say war is necessary when it comes to defending freedom, or as a response to a significant direct attack on the United States of America.
Today is Dec. 7. It is Pearl Harbor Day. It is the day in 1941 when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor; that was and is a defining moment in history, and we must always honor those that fought in World War II.
On Sept. 11, 2001, there were a series of coordinated and deadly attacks by al-Qaeda upon the United States; another defining historical moment in which we must also honor those who have and are fighting back.
But let me cut to the heart of my thoughtful struggle. I am an American who will always honor those men and women who honorably fight for America when they are called to do their duty, regardless of the war. They are doing the jobs they swear to do when they become a military member. None should ever, again, be treated as those returning from Vietnam.
My fight today is with the leaders of any country or nation who choose war for a wrong-headed reason or hidden agenda, but attempt to pass it off under the colors of freedom, religious or "trust me" righteousness.
"Dear God, we pray for our brave soldiers in (name a country), who are fighting for our freedom and for you based upon what is right."
It is a common prayer at churches across the world.
But are all wars waged based on freedom? Are all wars waged based on what's right, according to God?
No.
Those are the kind of questions we need to ask as a nation and not use "freedom" or "God" as the undisputed justification for invasion of nations that results in the death of honorable young men and women.
Let's never forget Dec. 7, 1941, and let's honor all soldiers from all wars past and present. But let's also recommit ourselves, as an honorable nation, to do all we can to seek peace and make it a strong preference over war.
And finally, let's also pray for the safety of men and women in the military, as well as leaders of all nations, helping all to seek better understandings and relationships.
(You can reach editor John Irby at 250-8266 or john.irby@bismarcktribune.com and go to www.bismarcktribune.com/blog/?w=thepaper&e_id=2671 to read his blog.)
Merry Christmas to Vets wrote on Dec 13, 2008 2:46 PM:
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/ascii/vpj.txt
In Vietnam they did foot patrols on trails that were bobby trapped. In Iraq they walk down the street until shot at.
When they come home they go to prison at higher rates than others.
We will certainly need a much bigger county jail for our loyal vets when they self medicate with Dr Booze.
Not fair to give them evenings or weekends in jail away from Dr Booze. That might offend some taxpayers who might think they are getting off easy. "
Uncomfortable wrote on Dec 7, 2008 6:03 PM:
The Gulf War was not won. A peace treaty was signed and soon they were back to using poison gas on Kurds and shooting at our planes in the agreed on No Fly Zone.
The war technology from the Vietnam War caused us to be in a position to use fewer soldiers. Our high tech airplanes and tanks require skilled soldiers not large numbers of infantry as before.
There is a question of military alliances. Are we going to honor mutual defense agreements?
There was the question of power vacuums after WWII. Would we let Russia, China, and various Communist leaders take over vast areas of the world. A friend of mine was a military advisor in South Vietnam in the 1950s. Russian advisors were on the side of the North.
When we loose wars, or partially loose or compromise police actions like Korea, and abandon Vietnam, how do we know we got all our prisoners back?
When we look at the history of war in this country nothing is crystal clear. Before, during, and after our Revolutionary War the powers of Europe had been in wars that continued over here. Often Native Americans were sucked into fighting on the side of their trading partners, who were fighting because of the war far away.
Maybe our attempt to be purely right will be our Achilles heel.
I once worked in a Narcotics Institution and occasionally worked in the Veterans Dorm. It was very uncomfortable to see that many were fine men who could not stay off of drugs after risking life and limb in the service of this country, and now were confined behind fences and gun towers.
Sorry, I agree with the basic premise of your article but the subject will never feel right. "
Halatbis wrote on Dec 7, 2008 5:08 PM:
If this moral principle applies to individuals, why would it not apply to a nation? Do we see the slope we are on if we say that it does? Do we see the slope we are on if we decline to aid our fellow man? Our civilization now demands that we make choices. "
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