Another war and another generation

The Doonesbury cartoon strip, our military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan and the recent flap over military recruiting procedures inspired me to try to place a few things in perspective.

Nearly two generations ago we were in another war halfway around the world, probably less popular than the current one. We who came of age then had been instilled with the notion that we had a “military obligation.” We took it for granted that most young men were in some way or another destined to serve in the military.

Most of us accepted this pretty much without question, perhaps because the previous generation, our fathers and uncles, had endured the Great Depression and then sacrificed so much during World War II.

We had options – enlist in the Army, Air Force, Navy or Marine Corps, sign up for the National Guard or Reserves, or be drafted. A handful ran to Canada to avoid service. Choices other than the draft involved active duty of three years or more, or many years of “weekend warrior” duty.

Many of us defaulted to the draft – serve two years, then, assuming all goes well, go on with your life.

After all, what could be so bad that one couldn’t take it for 24 months? Bad stuff always happened to the other fellow anyway.

We learned to use the basic infantryman’s tools, worked harder, marched farther and functioned on less sleep than we had ever thought possible – no enlistment bonus and no college money, just the princely sum of $78 a month.

The female soldiers were all volunteer; there was no female draft. They were housed and trained separately.

Many went to Vietnam – men, women, enlistees, draftees. About 58,000 of them eventually had their names etched in black granite.

I made my pilgrimage to the wall years ago and wept for the handful I had known and for the sheer number of young lives cut short. Many more came back physically or emotionally damaged. Few, if any, returned to a warm welcome from a grateful public.

As now, there were war protesters and large organized protests. Then, more than now, those opposed to the war were given to verbally or physically attacking the individual soldier.

We usually shed our uniforms at the first opportunity when off base or on leave.

Protest demonstrations and some celebrities such as Jane Fonda and her groupies aided and comforted the enemy. Their actions, I am convinced, contributed directly to our casualties.

I would make the following points:

. Even if recruiters are as tenacious as bulldogs and as pesky as used-car salesmen, the young person today has an option never afforded us, the luxury of simply saying no.

. The military is an essential and honorable career. Those complaining about recruiting methods, recruiters in schools and access to high school graduates need to consider who defends their right to raise that fuss – an all-volunteer military, and the need particularly today for our best and brightest in that military. Recruiters must be allowed opportunity at least comparable to those recruiting for colleges or civilians occupations.

. I certainly would not minimize the sacrifice of today’s soldier; the maiming or worse of any American service person is a tragedy. The military is dangerous by definition, but the likelihood of becoming a casualty today is comparatively much less than during Vietnam.

. Protest is our right in the country, but mass globally publicized demonstrations serve little purpose other than to encourage the enemy and demoralize our military. If the majority is so inclined, effect change quietly through the political process.

I expect this will generate others with opposing opinions. As you fashion your response, please reflect on how it came to be that we Americans can speak our minds without fear of reprisal.

Steve Murray, a resident of Orono, is a Vietnam War-era Army veteran.