I wondered why???? One would think that one who experienced past war based on lies would keep this Vietnam Veteran from wanting to serve in these Bush wars today. Unbelievable!



http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.p...toryId=90233772

The Impact of War
Vietnam-Era Vet Reports for Duty

by Kathy Lohr



Morning Edition, May 9, 2008 · Army Spc. Tom Owens first joined the military during the Vietnam War when he was 17. He earned two Bronze Stars before leaving the service in 1992.

But nearly two years ago, when the Army raised its enlistment age limit to 42, Owens decided to sell his landscaping business and volunteer to serve his country again — at age 55.

The Army allows soldiers to subtract their years of prior military service from their age. In Owens' case, he had 14 years of active service. In the Army's eyes, this made him effectively 41 and qualified him to re-enlist as long as he passed the medical screening and fitness test —which he did. Now, Owens is assigned to the 802nd Ordnance Company, a reserve unit in Gainesville, Ga.

He wanted to protect his country just like Pat Tillman, we were attacked.

Sadly, we had a president, vice pres and cabinet that instead used 911 to invade an oil rich country for personal profit...

He believes in duty. Something I identify with.

To be perfectly honest had I reenlisted for five more years back in 1982, I would have been in Iraq in 2002.

I opposed this war and the last war in Iraq.

But I would have served as someone who had the skills and ability to do what the country asked. Rightly or wrongly.

Since you opposed the war in Iraq, that tells me that you also agree that our reasons for being in Iraq (which is killing 1000s of Iraqis), are wrong yet you still would serve in Iraq under Bush as our commander if called upon. Is that correct?

You understand my post completely.

I uderstand your motive to loyalty but not your grounds for supporting all that's wrong with war. Could you help me to understand your grounds for such?

There is a strong part of me that believes that there are things you should do when your country asks you to serve. That part compels me to serve in uniform if asked.

If you were 10 maybe 20 years younger, would you now serve in Iraq if Bush asked ex-veterans to do that? What if war with Iran begins? Would you also go there if asked?

Right up there as a grunt. Yes to all three questions.

Thanks for your answers.

I sense that you feel the same way that the Christian right feels. They view the Iraqis and Iranians as being insurgents and they must be killed. They also seem to think that al-Qaeda is a major problem in Iraq who fights along with those insurgents. Do you think that if al-Qaeda were to be killed out, that the fighting would stop in Iraq?

I have no idea where you got that idea. You obviously have little or no dealings with the military.

I gave you my answers but you choose to indulge in a personal attack without any logical cause.

As a Marine Corps. Vet, you would have to drag me kicking and screaming to this catastrophe. I was in during the first Gulf War, and when it ended, I was relieved to be let go. I waited for my 4 year post service to end, on pins and needles. This man might have an overly active sense of duty, or, he may have a diminished ego. NOT everyone who enters the military has a stable mind, think Leavenworth Prison, it's packed with military criminals. One guy from my platoon in Boot camp was sentenced to 30 years in Leavenworth for selling avionics equiptment on the black market, and that was in 86. I'm going with diminished ego. Some guys can't let it go, can't help but tell you what they did in the service. I served, I'm proud, I fulfilled my CONTRACT, that's it, end of story. If they come here on our soil, as an invasive force, I'll fight 'em up to my front door, and beyond. But I'm not going anywhere for Shrub!!!

I served in peace time in the Naval Reserve aboard the AVM1 USS Norton Sound. She was a benchmark in history. The very first missle launch took place aboard her with a V-2 rocket from Germany. She had the very first AGIS Missle system aboard her. She took on the entire pacific fleet during war games and got killed only twice. I was proud to wear the uniform, but I did not serve full duty due to the idots I found at bootcamp. I could see that I would eventually be a part of Portsmith facility, I hate taking crap from idiots. I was being groomed for the Naval Acadamy, but I just couldn't blindly take orders. I also got seasick.... lol. I was proud of our Navy, and there are some real cool dudes out there on the decks of our ships, once I was a lookout while the regs smoked a joint on the forecastle. The main hanger deck they showed movies there once a week, very funny.

Being in the military isn't much fun, it is also extreamly dangerous, and you learn to love your brothers as if they were of the same blood. I thank my God above that I never had to kill anybody. I am the first in my family line that can say that. I am just trying to keep it that way.

OMG, McSame tells all that he plans on bringing home the troops in 2013. Let's do the math. 12 billion a week times 4 times 12 times 4, that is over two trillion dollars in debt more. Not to mention that men are now on their FOURTH tour of duty. I don't know about you but, imagine being one of those targets in a shooting gallery, how long will it be till you get hit, the more you pass in front of the gun sight, the more likely its going to happen.

Go ahead you shillary babies that are going to vote for McSame if you don't get to vote for her. YOU WILL SEE THE DRAFT COME BACK!

TO ALL OF OUR TROOPS, I AM SOOOOOO SORRY, YOU DIDN'T DESERVE THIS!

Thats how I feel. I served now it's on with my life.

I'm just going by your answers and learning more as to why you would take up arms to fight in Bush's or McCain's wars if you were able to do so. You stated that you would gladly fight as a 'grunt'. There's no personal attack taking place here. You, yourself, came into this thread to add your thoughts and that's all that's going on as far as I am concerned. We're having a very nice conversation. I think you may have become confused.

Welcome home and well said! The difference being if war was the last resort, then war it shall be. Politically induced war invasions only breds future enemies and extreme strains on one's nation. For those who willingly join this mess are only encouraging the likes of Bush, Cheney and McCain.