During WWII, while in basic training at camps throughout America, recruits did much marching. I remember singing, “When the war is over, we will all enlist again” as we marched. It was a kind of protest expression for those who would rather be civilians but were loyal to their government. The song was followed by “We will, like hell we will!”
Recently Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania made a strong statement questioning the continuing commitment of U.S. military forces in Iraq. He is a decorated Vietnam War veteran, so it becomes hard to question his loyalty to military personnel. One wonders what the thousands of military personnel will think when they realize they were misled and manipulated into fighting a war that was illegal, immoral, and caused resentment and hatred throughout the world.
What will be the consequences for those who planned the war, even lied about it as more important public figures are saying. Winston Churchill is reported to have said, “It is better to Jaw-Jaw than to Wah-Wah”?#34;a recommendation not heeded by those who decided to execute the wars in the Middle East.
How many veterans of the Middle East Wars will want to fight in other wars in the future? Certainly none of the casualties of this war. It will be hard to trust war-recommending political leaders in the future. Then we will all have to become pacifists.
William Becic
Veteran WWII
