Left Justified: Soldiers protest the war

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.rockrivertimes.com/index.pl?cmd=viewstory&cat=4&id=15464

By Stanley Campbell Print this page


I was a gung-ho soldier when I enlisted in February 1969, back when most soldiers were drafted. Thought the Vietnam War was just, and I wanted to be patriotic (and the G.I. bill looked pretty good—it put me through Rock Valley College).

The Army sent me to Germany, but I volunteered for Vietnam. Took me four months to realize my mistake. I followed orders and tried to do a good job (which was easy—I was a clerk). Had a “short-timer’s calendar” and counted down the days until I would return to the “world” (home).

Upon return, I joined with other veterans and marched against the war. We caught our government leaders flatfooted. Rarely do soldiers return from a war and march against their government.

Now here’s a little-known fact: there were soldiers who protested the war while they were in the military!

It’s all brought out in a new documentary called Sir! No Sir!. Using amazing archival footage and photographs, the film chronicles servicemen protesting and even refusing duty in Vietnam. And even while in Vietnam, refusing to go into combat! That is mutiny, and in some circles, could warrant immediate execution.

[noahmijo]

1. To the pro-war crowd though the enlisted who protest the war are worst traitors

you have to understand that an armchair warrior who is pro war whose combat experience is 2 hours a week with "Call of Duty 3" on Xbox* is far more patriotic than an actual enlisted servicemember who protests what they are making him/her fight for.


*I happen to love Call of Duty 2 so gamers don't take this example as a shot at those of us who love war games because we understand that they are just that-games not real life.