Reserve, Guard committed

The editorial, “Military might” (BDN, Jan. 2), unjustly attempted to describe the process of time that our Reserve and National Guard serve and the impact which these deployments of active duty create upon the family and industry throughout our country. This liberal, anti-administration editorial, while coming as no surprise to anyone who reads the Bangor Daily News’ editorials, imparts several statements that are worthy of comment.

If the intent of the editorial was to create an atmosphere of doubt concerning the length of deployment for our National Guard and Reservists, then one would ask, “Why did they join?” Was it to gain educational benefits along with pay or was it dedication of duty to serve our country if called? Did the Reservists not read the contract between themselves and our federal government?

I firmly believe that each Reservist and/or National Guard personnel clearly knew what he or she was signing before joining, and that his or her deployment would be dependent upon the needs of our country. Each knew that his or her “second job” could cause him or her to be deployed in the defense of our country and while he or she may have not anticipated it they clearly understood it could happen. To say that they did not expect to serve for such a long time is ridiculous.

Also to report on one schoolteacher from New York who is “questioning the fairness” of his orders to serve, along with families from Kansas to North Carolina who have banded together to lobby for the return of their soldier spouses (assuming before the obligated service has been completed), is nothing more than the media creating hysterical reaction against the foundations of our Reserve and National Guard programs. Could these be the products of a past generation that threw rotten eggs at uniformed military personnel as we returned from Vietnam? How the history of time repeats itself.

The comment concerning how the deployment of National Guard personnel “impacts the closing of small business” is a farce. When a National Guard or Reservist is called to active duty he or she is assured under federal law that his or her employment will be held until his or her return. To draw the analogy that small companies have “gone under” because so many key employees have been called away is most likely a misrepresentation of the facts.

Concerning the statement that “there are also differences in the pay and retirement packages of active- duty and Reserve and National Guard personnel” is very misleading. In truth, when called to active duty the pay for Reservists is increased to the same level as those on active duty and they will also receive additional pay benefits. Naturally there exists a difference between full-time career military service personnel, as is the case in any private sector of employment.

It is important to note, however, that there currently is no policy in place offering protection for self-employed professions such as attorneys who depend on established and new clientele. There was a policy in the past that didn’t work out and a new one needs to be worked on.

We are at war; let no one think otherwise, and while fighting terrorism is a unique aspect of war, it is still war. To be engaged in combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq has understandably placed a heavy burden on our regular armed forces requiring augmentation of our reserve assets to assist in combating terrorism. This is not the first time in the history of our country that various companies have lost employees due to active-duty call-up of our Reserve forces, and it will, regrettably, not be the last. It is a requirement that must continue.

Rather than the BDN being so focused on reporting about the few whiners in this country, more focus should be given to those Reservists and National Guard members who are proudly serving their country. These young people sacrificed jobs and family in responding to a call to duty without hesitation and/or complaint. In addition to expressing my personal thanks to our current deployed Reservists and National Guard personnel, I wish to also thank those proud and dedicated World War II, Korea and Vietnam veterans who meet our returning young troops at Bangor International Airport and who clearly understand the sacrifice which they have made for the benefit of our country.

Thomas W. Kelly III is a retired captain who served in the U.S. Navy. He lives in Blue Hill.