Letter to the Editor from T.J. Michener

Years ago, my daughter asked me why I fought in a war half way around the world. I had to explain this to her in a manner in which a 5 year old would understand. I asked her; “If a rich man and a bully lived next door to each other, and one day the bully decided he wanted what the rich man had, so he just took it away because he was bigger and stronger, is that right”? She said “No, the rich man should call the police”. I then explained to her, that the rich man was a country named Kuwait, and the bully was Saddam Hussein, and that the United States was acting as the police, and righting a wrong.

As a veteran of the Persian Gulf War, and having served twelve years in the U.S. Navy flying cold-war surveillance missions almost every day, I struggled with writing this letter in response to a recent column “Despite all, don’t give up”. I respect all veterans and what they have done for their country, and I respect their opinions, however, this article seems to have struck a nerve within me.

I guess I am unclear on the statement “for the first time in our history we have attacked another country without provocation”. Yes we were provoked into WWII by Japan, with the horrendous attack on our fellow Americans in Pearl Harbor, but I don’t remember Germany attacking the United States, yet we went to Europe and fought. I believe we went there to squash a regime that believed in genocide of innocent people and a tyrant who believed he could do whatever he wanted, to people less powerful than he (sounds a little like Saddam Hussein, doesn’t it?).

I don’t remember Korea or Vietnam attacking the United States either, but yet we went there also, the same with the Gulf War. I believe that in all these instances, we went there to protect people being terrorized by brutal regimes, and I believe we were well justified in all these missions.

I quite vividly remember that day in September 2001, when our homeland was so cowardly attacked by terrorists. If this isn’t provocation to attack these criminals and all that harbor and assist them in any manner, then I am very unclear on the definition of “Provocation”.

I agree with Mr. Snyder, that we are losing some of our finest young men and women, but I also believe every one of them volunteered to defend their country, and that is what they are doing, and doing it quite well, and if they would let a 40 something year old man back in the military, I would be there tomorrow. After 9/11, I wonder how many people thought that we would make it nearly 3 years without another major terrorist attack on our country? I also believe after talking to young men that have served in Iraq and Kuwait, that the majority believe strongly in their mission, and carrying it out with pride and honor in their country, just as I did 13 years ago. Unfortunately, the recent events of Abu Ghraib prison, by a few idiots (yes, that is an accurate word to describe them) have tainted what so many fine men and women have accomplished. Talk to the men and women returning from the Middle East and ask them about the mission, don’t just read the stories in the papers or listen to the news on TV and think you are getting the entire story.

I was proud to read Madelynn Adkison’s rebuttal to this article in the May 5 issue. To the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen proudly serving our country, I say “WE ARE PROUD”. To our leaders, I say do all you can and what is right to protect our citizens and all good people in the world. To everyone else, I ask you to pray for those in harm’s way and for the job they are doing, may they be safe. For those who disagree with what is going on, remember – you can always vote in November. God Bless America!

T.J. Michener