> LETTER FROM RET. MARINE CSM AND RET. MARINE MAJOR
6 September 2004, 07:28
It is hard to believe that a tried and true patriotic family is going to stop believing in serving America forever, because their son was caught mouthing-off about our Commander and Chief, and was punished for breaking the rules! Imagine an adult had to own up to his mistake—astonishing!
A veteran myself, I am well aware of the UCMJ—Uniform Code of Military Justice. As you are a family of veterans, I am surprise you have forgotten that under the laws of the UCMJ you are never allowed to protest, even in a simple form of disgust of our Commander and Chief. If you do, you will be charged. When you signed-up for military service, it stated you belong to the military 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from the moment you put your signature on that contract. We served the last half of our military service under President Clinton. We had major issues with that President but we did not voice our opinions in public.
Our oldest son is now a Captain in the Air Force and is deployed. I cannot help but be insulted by your editorial whining. A military service person with the integrity expected of him/her would face up to their mistake and move on. Making excuses will not get you very far in the military.
The military needs men and women who will follow orders in extreme moments. You do not follow them only when it suits your purpose. What in heavens name did, your son think was expected of him when he joined the military? Perhaps he thought he joined the military to get a free education, experience in managing personnel, supply, and budget, all without ever putting himself in harm’s way. Get a grip! I think the government should charge your whining son for all the excellent training and discipline (he was lacking there) he received while on active duty.
If you honestly believe, our country would be better served by a confused, flip-flopping, liar, then vote for Kerry. I for one want to keep the freedom our military troops gained for us throughout history. President Bush may not be perfect but the rest of this mixed-up world knows he will not back down when America is threatened. I will vote for Bush.
It is hard to believe that a tried and true patriotic family is going to stop believing in serving America forever, because their son was caught mouthing-off about our Commander and Chief, and was punished for breaking the rules! Imagine an adult had to own up to his mistake—astonishing!
A veteran myself, I am well aware of the UCMJ—Uniform Code of Military Justice. As you are a family of veterans, I am surprise you have forgotten that under the laws of the UCMJ you are never allowed to protest, even in a simple form of disgust of our Commander and Chief. If you do, you will be charged. When you signed-up for military service, it stated you belong to the military 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from the moment you put your signature on that contract. We served the last half of our military service under President Clinton. We had major issues with that President but we did not voice our opinions in public.
Our oldest son is now a Captain in the Air Force and is deployed. I cannot help but be insulted by your editorial whining. A military service person with the integrity expected of him/her would face up to their mistake and move on. Making excuses will not get you very far in the military.
The military needs men and women who will follow orders in extreme moments. You do not follow them only when it suits your purpose. What in heavens name did, your son think was expected of him when he joined the military? Perhaps he thought he joined the military to get a free education, experience in managing personnel, supply, and budget, all without ever putting himself in harm’s way. Get a grip! I think the government should charge your whining son for all the excellent training and discipline (he was lacking there) he received while on active duty.
If you honestly believe, our country would be better served by a confused, flip-flopping, liar, then vote for Kerry. I for one want to keep the freedom our military troops gained for us throughout history. President Bush may not be perfect but the rest of this mixed-up world knows he will not back down when America is threatened. I will vote for Bush.
Andy H. Donatelli