Home > LETTER FROM RET. MARINE CSM AND RET. MARINE MAJOR

LETTER FROM RET. MARINE CSM AND RET. MARINE MAJOR

by Open-Publishing - Tuesday 31 August 2004
74 comments

As a military family with a combined total of 57 years of active service in the U. S. Army, myself, son, and daughter-in-law have accumulated over 80 combat medals, one or more of us have served in Vietnam, Cambodia, Grenada, Panama, El Salvador, Kosovo, Bosnia, and three of us served together during Desert Storm. My son recently returned from the Iraq War, his third war, and, being fed up with Bush lies and back-to-back deployments, applied to be discharged from his "indefinite enlistment" status.

Six days later he was under investigation for making "disloyal comments" about George Bush...which amounted to saying in general conversation with other soldiers that "Bush should have never started the war" and "Bush is no military leader." He was charged under Article-15 and was denied an attorney and could not cross-examine the case against him. His 14 years of military service up to this point was flawless, he was an excellent soldier, and in spite of numerous superiors who testified in his favor, he was demoted and sentenced to 45 days of extra duty.

His crime involved nothing more than expressing his personal political opinion as guareeteed under the Bill of Rights, the very document that he had risked his life defending. Our government claims to be fighting for democracy, however those who risk their lives for democracy are being denied their basic rights of freedom of speech and opinion. My friends, the Bill of Rights and democracy are dead under the Bush Administration. This is only a sampling of what will happen if this administration is re-elected.

For generations we have been a loyal and faithful military family, however with this recent action taken against a member of our family, we will no longer encourage military service to our future generations. In other words, we are going to do the same thing that Bush, Cheney, Wolfovitz, and most members of congress do, WE AIN’T SERVING NO MORE!!

The Iraq War was based on lies and exaggerations, poor intelligence, a mass deception with no rhymne nor reason for invading Iraq. For those who still have kids and loved ones in this illegal war, our blessings and best wishes go out to you. We pray for their safe return. It is refreshing to see an organization like Military Families Speak Out because our active service members are silenced by the system and need all the voices that can be mustered.

Charlie C. Carlson II
Command Sergeant-Major USA Ret.
Dot Diehl-Carlson
[Ex-Major USA Vietnam Vet]

Forum posts

  • Does anyone have contact information for Charlie C. Carlson? I would like to interview him for my website, www.mikehersh.com and for a group called Veterans for Accountability. Please email me at mikehersh@mikehersh.com.

  • To Ret. Marine CSM and Ret. Marine Major Charlie C. Carlson II

    I’m glad a member of a family that has good fundamentals towards their country has finally seen the light.

    The sad part is, that it took this ordeal for you to see. I hope your son comes back home safe. This senless acts of war on other countries, and aiding countries to attack innocent civilians has gone for decades and decades.

    I grew up in El Salvador during the late 70’s and 80’s, I had Death Squads come to my home in plain daylight, looking for my dad. In an unrelated incident y uncle, I believe served in the Atlacatl or Cuzcatlan Squadron, he was taken from his home and executed. I was taught by my dad, to keep my mouth shut if I wanted to stay alive in ES.

    I think I learned way more of the truth in Canada, than in my home country about the U.S. interests in ES and abroad. With all due respect sir, don’t be conned by your government, the right wing is the right wing no matter where. The US system is way more underhanded, and covert, with the exception of Iraq and Afghanistan.

  • Whilst the current occupation of Iraq is an outright deception, at least the american forces are now in a position to invade and disarm israel.
    Which would not only bring peace to the region, but would hasten the exodus of the warmongering khasari jews back to russia and the west, leaving the more peaceful semitical jews to live in peace with their moslem brothers.

    • Amen to that mate, bloody Amen to That!!!! Imagine the coalition you’d get for that brawl!

      But, you see, your God and mine is the one JC told us about, whereas for Sharon & Bush et al, their’s is the vengeful old bastard that "supposedly" told a certain bunch of people about 3000 years ago to go beating up an another bunch of people who inhabited Palestine. Took their land, destroyed their towns, enslaved the people after massacring the men who could fight and, ..... Hang on! Nothing’s changed!!! Same land, same target, same thugs.

      Well if their god is the One God (pause to throw up at that thought) and heaven is populated with the likes of Bush, Cheney, Rummy, Wolfy, Sharon, John Howard, Tony Blair, et al, I don’t think I want to go there. I’d rather hang out with the hookers, self repecting crims and Bill Clinton in the other place!

      My God has a sense of humour!

      Brad (Australian Vietnam Vet)

    • "at least the american forces are now in a position to invade and disarm israel. "

      This will never happen. The United States never takes a stance against Israel, regardless of what they do. The United States sends economic aid to many countries, but it’s Israel with it’s tiny population of under 7 million that receives the most - 3 billion dollars a year.

      What I would like to see is Israel grant citizenship for all Palestinian refugees, in exchange for all the remaining Palestinian lands - with a constitution that guarentees freedom of religion and equal rights for all, and to do it under UN supervision, a little at a time. I know it will never happen, but it’s a nice desire I think.

    • Hey mate,
      very well put indeed. I could not agree with you more. I too would rather be with the crims, hookers and Bill Clintion in the other place. Just think of the hell raising we could do? No pun intened.

      I have good friends in Australia, great to hear from you mate..

      Stephen R H U.S.A. Not so proud to be an American...

    • It’s plain to see from your short note that you are certifiable.

  • Thank you for posting this letter. When a strong, multi-generation military family speaks out, there is something there to be listened to, more so than the text of the message. Quiet the mind and hear the message.....this goes way beyond rhetoric of politics and/or disagreeing views.

    May I have permission to reprint this letter in two of my blogs = Dying to Preserve the Lies, and On The Horizon?

    horizon@swandeer.com

  • This letter has struck cord in my soul.... I am almost fear to say it ...but our country is about fascist/nazi a state and the most incredible thing about it is the people isa willing participant to this. My God help this country in the coming months and years..............

  • As our nation learns more of the policy makers who led us to war the inescapable conclusion becomes that there are those in Washington who share a dual allegience to a foriegn country.
    The probe of spies in the pentagon is the tip of the ice-berg. Domestic enemies of the Constitution have wrapped themselves in the flag. The truth will emerge and those who stand upon Biblical truth (Joshua (9), and the Charter Documents will not be swept down the river of lies.

  • Folks, I just sent this to the Sanford, Florida Sentinel. We’ll see what they send back.
    Love
    David

    "I received this in my email from a friend. I’m opposed to the Iraq war so this sounded good. Too good. When I searched on "Charlie C. Carlson II" on the internet it gave me an article in your paper. Question; is this the same person? Is this a hoax? What do you think?
    I appreciate it.
    David Perkins
    Fort Worth
    ps. I have no affiliation with anyone. I’m a retired person who was a Marine Sgt in the ’50s and ’60s. I occasionally get letters from conservative friends of mine that contain so many untruths. I’m always telling them, "Don’t be passing this untrue stuff over the internet." Well, time to live by my own advice. I’m just trying to track this down."

    • David Perkins may be interested in the following:

      http://www.seminoleherald.com/diary.htm

      S. Jennings
      Oakland

    • David—

      I have often recieved chain-hoax email forwarded from net-naive friends.
      Though generally of the ’Urban Legend’ variety— I’m betting that if you go to:

      www.about.com

      Then search for ’hoax’ — or ’Carlson hoax’ — you’ll probably find some shred of info or a link to your next adventure.

      Myself— I taste the flavor of sincerity in Mr. Carlson’s missive.

      Though I never served in our Armed Forces— all of the other males in my family two generations deep served with honor.

      Regards,
      John Warrilow
      jw1@jw1.com

    • David—

      I have often recieved chain-hoax email forwarded from net-naive friends.
      Though generally of the ’Urban Legend’ variety— I’m betting that if you go to:

      www.about.com

      Then search for ’hoax’ — or ’Carlson hoax’ — you’ll probably find some shred of info or a link to your next adventure.

      Myself— I taste the flavor of sincerity in Mr. Carlson’s missive.

      Though I never served in our Armed Forces— all of the other males in my family two generations deep served with honor.

      Regards,
      John Warrilow
      jw1@jw1.com

    • David—

      I have often recieved chain-hoax email forwarded from net-naive friends.
      Though generally of the ’Urban Legend’ variety— I’m betting that if you go to:

      www.about.com

      Then search for ’hoax’ — or ’Carlson hoax’ — you’ll probably find some shred of info or a link to your next adventure.

      Myself— I taste the flavor of sincerity in Mr. Carlson’s missive.

      Though I never served in our Armed Forces— all of the other males in my family two generations deep served with honor.

      Regards,
      John Warrilow
      jw1@jw1.com

  • Wow! Looks like it’s the real thing. I swear I thought I got the latest article. Anyway, thanks, Oakland.
    Love
    David

  • << Six days later he was under investigation for making "disloyal comments" about George Bush... >>

    SO LONG AS DUH-BYA IS NOT OUR KING OR EMPEROR, YOU CANNOT MAKE DISLOYAL COMMENTS ABOUT HIM BECAUSE YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO YOUR OWN OPINION AND TO STATE THAT OPINION AT ANY TIME YOU CHOOSE - WHETHER YOU SERVE IN THE MILITARY OR NOT.

    Just because you’re a soldier doesn’t mean you have to agree with or have a good opinion of or keep quiet about the pResident of the USA.

    Does anybody know whether this soldier has contacted a civilian lawyer yet? I’m willing to pitch in to a defense fund for the purpose of having his record cleared.

    Sally
    sallybaughn@aol.com

    • Actually, and unfortunately, active duty military persennel do not have the same civil rights as civilians. Yes, he can be charged witha crime under the UCMJ. It is unusual for such a thing to be done, but these ain’t normal times, face it. Americans are getting arrested just for wearing tshirts and stickers that are anti-Bush.

      People, this is why we need to be working to get these evil assholes out. Their treatment of this young man is all part of a larger picture of disrespect and mistreatment of our military. Bush/Cheney/Rove, they all use the troops as photo-op props, as cannon fodder, then cut their benefits. Worst of all, they show our troops no respect whenf politics is involved, and for them, politics is ALWAYS involved.

      They think service is for suckers, that’s why we have things like the Swift Boat Vets Lies and the purple heart bandaids at the RNC convention while they all cheer for their Deserter in Chief.

      VETERANS DO NOT MATTER TO BUSH, except as something to use.

  • You might correct your headline? Looks to me like these folks are Army, not Marines.

  • A soldiers ability to think independently, apply his/her morals to situations and to question ones orders (outside of immediate danger) is essential to maintaining a military which functions by the people for the people. Soldier/Citizens is what we ordered, not state owned mercenaries.

    I commend your son. I want to see more individuals like him in the military. Soldiers should exemplify our most esteemed and prized beliefs: Liberty, Justice, independent thoughts and compassion.

    When one must put the ideology of their "leader" above that of their own conscience through threat of retaliation or loss of freedoms, history implies that they may opt to absolve themselves of any moral responsibility for their actions. One can point upwards and simply state: I was just following orders; I didn’t know any better; they were terrorists/partisans/insurgents without their weapons and dealt with accordingly.

    Without moral responsibility extermination becomes "actions"; genocide becomes "relocation"; and human lives waste away through "collateral damage or accepted losses". Thousands of young men, bound to the Nazi death machine through obedience to their “leader destined by God to lead”, found themselves in a similar dilemma. As a result millions of people were “relocated” through “actions” on the order of the leader to “protect the fatherland” for threats perceived by the leader and for the leader.

    Are we so blinded by terror that we allow ourselves to fall into the nationalistic mire of hypocrisy and self-denial. Shall we esteem ourselves to be the only true heirs of Liberty’s grace, all others being lesser creatures in the eyes of Justice.

    If so, back to my homeland I will go. I want my children to walk freely among their peers; not goose-stepping to the beat of a blind drummers drum.

  • Charlie Carlson. More and more I am noting that more and more people in America are waking up to the Bush Administration. You have my total moral support. I am an Australian Vietnam Veteran (and proud of it). I once supported the Conservatives in Australia. Not any more thanks to our lying arse licking Prime Minister. All the best to you and your family. Tell your son to consider an old Australian Army saying: Don’t let the bastards grind you down.

    Regards

    Charlie Dearling
    Canberra Australia

  • Bless you for speaking out against the lying war machine and its criminal operators.

  • Happy you’ve seen the light.

    The Bill of Rights, Constitution, and NO FOREIGN ENTANGLEMENTS are but striking paper.

    **caution : we will erase messages with caractere defamatory, abusive, xenophobe, sexist, the threats, politic and commercial advertising...
    Another words, I have been deprived of the balance of my comment. Fer christ sake you guys.

  • agreed that our country is involved in a shameless act of aggression. With both candidates insisting we need to be there to root out insurgents and terrorists, why would anyone want to vote for either of them. I have suggested to apparently deaf ears that we need to make a fresh start with non politicians....and I nominate Scott Ritter, himself the victim of slander for speaking out as a WMD inspector against Bush’s day one plan of attack.

    The host site (information clearinghouse) today shows endless gut wrenching pictures of some of the innocent victims of this madness...the children, with missing limbs, scalps and life energies. The majority of people in this country are content to tune in to survivor, the bachelor, and other mindless "reality" shows, while being intentionally kept in the dark about the realities of war. These pistures, and the returning flag draped coffins are what people should be seening to wake them up. They should also be hearing about Halliburton and it’s ties to our Vice President (former CEO) and learning why Halliburton was awarded no bid contracts in Iraq. Could it be that war is good busineess for some, while life altering or life taking for others of less priveliged upbringing?

    Revenge and retribution for 9/11? Bush and his gang make me ill to think it very possibly could have been prevented, were it not for their greed and distortion of truth for their own financial gain....there are just too many evasions of the truth and blocked inquiries ( for national security reasons of course) Our country has tresspassed imorally and it will take generations before the cycle of revenge will end. to what end people?

    Thank you for your truthspeak! I’ll end with a Christmas card message that has stayed with me...
    May the child who lives within us, gently teach us how to find, trust and love in one another, lasting hope for all mankind

    judy o’connor age 52 with my first grandchild on the way and my daughter wondering why she is bringing another life into this madness, We could ALL be doing so much good for each other and our planet.

  • yeah.
    like I. m now ashamed to be an American, yes, ashamed, that our military now has as it’s most import objective is to make the vice-president richer. How could we have sunken so low?? the basic theme of the Nazis was a military that fought and died for big business.

    Robert A Morgan
    224 Pierce St.
    Fayetteville, WV 25840

    the whole damn thing was lies, if you think you are right, then tell the truth, if you need to lie, you are wrong,

    of course, might makes right

  • The Headline Should read "Letter from Ret. ARMY CSM and Ret. Marine Major".
    Skislock, USMC

  • I thank you and your family for your service. I am sorry that the country you signed up to defend has become unrecognizable.

    Apparently, freedom isn’t free, and freedom isn’t really freedom in America anymore.

    But soon we will have regime change!

    http://www.wgoeshome.com

    • I’ am sorry to hear of your son’s Article 15. But as company level judgment it is the lowest form of punishment in the military. I got one in ’69 for writing for the Viet Nam Moratorium Committee. There is no free lunch. Actions have consequences. Can an Article 15 be appealed in the modern army? If so have him do it. Otherwise take the punishment and join the ranks of countless others who have spoken their minds and accepted the consequences.

      Keep in mind that as bad a Bush is perceived to be, a Kerry presidency would be catastrophic.

      Bob Philbin

    • I AM CURIOUS TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS REGARDING THE LYING TACTICS OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT AND THE TERRIBLE MISCALCULATION OF NOT GETTING BIN LAUDEN WHEN PESENTED TO THE U.S. ON A PLATTER. HE WAS CONVICTED OF LYING UNDER OATH AND IMPEACHED. PLEASE ADVISE ME OF YOUR RATIONAL AND EXCUSES FOR HIM WHEN HE SAID, "IT WAS NOT SEX".

      APPARENTLY, LIBERALS HAVE A VERY SELECT MEMORY WHEN IT COMES TO CALLING PEOPLE LIARS. BUT , I STILL RESPECT YOUR OPINIONS AND FOUGHT IN COMBAT TO PRESERVE THAT RIGHT.

      FRANK TANKERSLEY

      P.S. PLEASE DON’T BOTHER TO ANSWER!!

    • Dude.....W thinks that God is controling his presidency.....would God do such a piss poor job?????? The guy is a nut case, how could anyone do worse, he is in bed with the war machine military industrial complex and we are all getting screwed. Come to your senses, try to drop being a Repuiblipuke long enough to see the truth.....

  • Mr. Carlson

    Would you send your letter to New York Time, Washington Post or national newspaper?

  • This letter should be posted on every military site and in every military newsgroup on the Internet.
    My congratulations to these brave men who served their country well, only to see the very freedoms they were sworn to protect denied them. May George Bush and his supporters be forgiven for the evil they have perpetrated on the nation and the world. God Bless...

  • glad to hear you took such a brave stand;

    "Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, & eventually they will believe it."
    not Bush’s words, although they sound like it [WMD], rather they are Hitler’s

  • I also came from a family that served for generations, including myself. I am saddened by the fact that this administration is screwing the veterans so badly and doing the same to soldiers currently serving. But, what upsets me the most is that my family fought (and some died) to keep this country FREE. That is not what I am seeing. Instead I am seeing our freedoms stripped away little by little. This is NOT what we fought for. And, yes, soldiers should be free to speak their minds.

    I can understand that officers should not be putting down the president in public, but a soldier speaking privately to his buddies should be able to say whatever he wants, within reason. This is very reasonable. He should not have been disciplined for that. I am glad that you are speaking out and letting the public know about this.

    And I, like you, don’t intend to keep sending members of my family off to fight in unjust and illegal wars for profit. I am so ashamed of this administration and what it has done to our reputation in the world. Nothing is sacred. I have seen nothing but lies and corruption during these past years while Bush has been in office.

    Good luck with all of this. You and your son have my support as well.

    Virgil Butler
    Pine Ridge, AR

    http://cyberactivist.blogspot.com/

  • Thank you, brave sir. First, for your years of service, and second, for your bravery in standing up to this
    most criminal, cowardly bunch of corporate-sponsored thugs the world has ever had
    the misfortune to be "ruled" by. This administration is simply another form of organized crime,
    and it can be a dangerous thing to attempt to thwart their mighty machinery.
    Soon, please God, it will be over. Bless you and your family.

  • I am so sorry for you and your family. This administration spits on military members. But it’s not a surprise, you are simply his tools for accumulating wealth. There is nothing decent about these traitors in the Bush Misadministration..

  • Mr. Carlson

    Charlie is very lucky all he recieved was non-judical punishment. I noticed you left out many detials that would shed light on the why he was charged. Kindly provide all the details so that the people who visit this site can have all the facts regarding Charlie’s behavior. I know the facts and would love to post them but I cannot because doing so would violate my oath. The same oath that Charlie promised to uphold. I am ashamed that he was in my unit.

    Rocco

  • I believe your son is a soldier in the tradition of Washington who fought for liberty but also for truth. Would that the generals that lead our forces today have your son’s understanding of true patriotism.

  • Mr. Carlson, your son´s story hit´s home!This is BIGGER then we want to admit. My son is exactly on the same situation, not based in any specific reason, but because during his deployment in Afghanistan, when asked to reenlist, he said: "NO SIR!". (This is the only reason we can come up with.). ... After few deployments and over 7 years Service. Up on arrival at home base, he was only allowed 7 days of license...after those 12 required for "health & psycholigical evaluation". Well...my son arrived spiting blood ETC. ETC. and was given a cean bill of health. Go figure! It´s hard to put it in words, how and why things "happen". It´s like a WEB of accusations, lies, fake investigations, etc. Then ...is time for Article 15!...WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS; jUDICIAL ASSISTANCE? No comments. YES! 45 days Extra Duty, Demoted and cash penalty. Forget about any benefits, GI BILL, Medical assistance, etc. etc. What is being done to our soldiers, amounts to the definition of TORTURE. Fear is a very powerfull weapon and the Army is using it on the ones SERVED HONNORABLY just to be dumped like trash. My English is far from perfect, but is good in off to speak out against ABUSE when I see it. There are so many silent Soldiers and families ... FEAR. We need, we MUST brake the silence.

  • I thought that our fight there was supposed to be about freedom? Is our First Amendment not one of them?
    Steven Lavoie
    Oakland, California

    • Yes the First Amendment WAS one of them until George W stole the presidency. Now the First Amendment only applies to Republicans and those who praise Bush.

  • It took a lot of courage for your son to speak out against the war. I am in total agreemnt with you. Men and women who still have an alegiance to the Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard, Reservists, and National Guard men and women do not have the freedom to speak out with out getting slammed with an Article 15. But it might interest you to know that two cases have been filed in federal court to put and end to the no stop order of the day. One judge issued a restraining order against the Army, and the other judge is waiting to hear further arguments from the Army, but the court has issued an order not to deploy him back to Iraq until the case is heard in full.
    If these two brave men win their cases in federal court it will affect some 20,000 men and women who are waiting to be deployed. The no stop order is a back door, back to the old Draft system that was in place during the Vietnam War. Then it was dropped and the no stop order took it’s place during the Gulf War.
    I will keep your son and your family in my heart, and will remember all of you in my prayers.
    It’s tiime we put an end to the George W Bush, Dick Cheney’s and the Colin Powell’s in this world, but I don’t want to leave out the other maggot John Ashcroft. He knows where he can put his Patriot Act. Right up there where the sun doesn’t shine. IMPEACH BUSH!

    Stephen R H

  • AMEN Mr. Carlson! Face it, Bush/Cheney (draft dodgers) do NOTE give a damn about any poor or working class Veterans, active duty soldiers or their families...except around election time. Research their policies toward the VA and Veteran health benefits for proof.

  • Dear Carlson Family,

    Thank you for your heroic service to this country. It is shameful that your son was punished after an exemplary career for expressing what the majority of Americans and the world believe. May your family be protected, as speaking out politically in this country has become a scary proposition these days. God Bless you and yours for all you have done to keep us safe at home.

    Sincerely,
    A mother in South Carolina

  • THANKS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. I WISH THE REST OF THE NATION WOULD SEE THE TRUTH!!
    I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO PEOPLE THAT I KNOW AND TRYING TO GET THEM TO VOTE FOR KERRY!!
    BUSH HAS TO BE DEFEATED!!! I HAVE READ SO MUCH ABOUT HIS FAMILY AND HIS CROOKED DEALINGS ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT WEBSITES. BUT SOME PEOPLE ARE SO CLOSE-MINDED THAT THEY WILL NOT BELIEVE ANYTHING BAD ABOUT BUSH. I JUST HOPE THAT HE IS PREVENTED FROM STEALING THE ELECTION AGAIN!! MAY GOD BE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. YOU AND YOUR SON ARE BRAVE AMERICANS!!

    FGSANDERS@TELEPAK.NET

  • Thank you Mr. Carlson for your service to our country. Thank you for speaking up and telling your story.

    May the citizens of this country wake up and recognize the truth that Bush and Cheney use lies, hatred and fear to rule.

    May John Kerry also awaken, take charge and put this country on a righteous course.

    God Bless You and Your Family.

  • SARG., I SPENT 4 YEARS IN KOREA AND LEARNED THAT A MILITARY MAN HAS NO CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS IN THE MILITARY, ESPECIALLY WHEN CRITICIZING HIS COMMAND SARGERANT OR ANY OFFICER ABOVE HIM ON THEIR DECISIONS. YOU HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THAT YOU ARE DISCHARGED FOR THAT LUXURY. YOU KNOW THE RULES AND YOUR SON KNEW THE RULES, SO WHY THE BLEETING. I AM SORRY FOR WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR SON, BUT NO SOLDIER HAS A RIGHT TO CRITICIZE HIS COMMANDER . IF SO, WHY HAVE A COMMANDER. LET EVERYONE FIGHT OR GO INTO COMBAT ON HIS OWN SAY SO.

    BUT BOTH OF YOU KNOWS THE RULES, SO STOP CRYING.

    FRANK TANKERSLEY

    P.S.: SARG, DON,T BOTHER TO ANSWER!!

  • Carlsons,

    Thanks for your powerful comments. I agree with you about bushco. I am a Vietnam Vet, (101st Airborne 1966-67) and was one of one of the lucky ones who got a purple heart that cost me just enough to remind me every day that a decision to go to war is very serious.

    Bob Carruth
    carruthb@bellsouth.net

  • Sounds to me that the charges remained at company level. Sometimes, these things are better taken to a court martial, there he can get a lawyer and it will be out of the company’s hands. Good luck.

  • ARE THEY RETIRED MARINES (USMC) OR ARMY (USA)? THE STORY IS SIGNED USA (US ARMY)

    • It’s obvious this guy wasn’t a Marine , for he wouldn’t make a pimple on a marine’s ass..

      usmc
      1101120

  • God bless our all well beloved President G.W.Bush.

    Unfortunately we Americans don’t realize how good our President is for us!
    Actually America never ever had a better President then G.W.Bush and is a pity that he only can make a second term, but maybe constitution can be changed so that he can serve more term, I sincerely hope so and I am sure that will happen!

    President G.W.Bush is our commander in chief and we all should be great full for him!
    The Bush family is a very special and I think they have the right not to serve as ordinarily servicemen in the army!

    God bless our all President and is family and hopefully he will continue doing his excellent cleanup work!

    Viva America, Viva G.W.Bush the greates president off all times!!!!!!!!!

  • How did you enjoy the Republican Convention the last few night? I particularly enjoyed the hum-dinger of a Keynote speach by Democratic Sen. Zell Miller. As an ex-Marine, he gave one of finest speaches concerning the record of fellow Democratic Sen. John Kerry. He quoted the record of Sen. Kerry, point after point after point. Incidentally, he baced up with Senate documentatiion of Sen Kerry’s voting record on CNN this morning.

    Here is a member of Sen. Kerry’s own party who exposed the Senator of his true record. I don’t know what your politics are (although I suspect), but if you saw and heard the wonderful speakers of the Convention who spoke so eloquently of the President, one could only come away with the impression that President Bush is the only clear choice to lead America in these perilious times.

    • Typical bla bla bla.....from a typical RepubliPUKE

    • Typical Liberal,

      Slur people because you don’t agree with their position. Every time you guys realize your losing the argument you slur, cuss etc. It’s like clockwork.

  • Why don’t you send this info to Judicial Watch? That would be the avenue to take if you are telling the truth. They could research and help you out. I for one don’t believe a word you are saying. A democrat can be in the military too and maybe your son signed up for the non-war, stay out of harms way marines. I’m sure your dislike for George Bush started way before the Iraq war and will continue with every elected Republican President. Too bad you’re in the wrong corner.

  • Yup, it’s all about you, there ain’t no war going on. If it was WWII, he’d be looking at jail time, bucko. My family has served in every war since the Civil War, and will continue to serve. Not for ourselves but for our country.

    • Why are you so proud of being from a family of mass murderers????? Stupid ones that allow themselves to be used to do such immoral work for some greedie military industrial complex???

  • Thank you and please let the American people know of this story. 80 medals and this . My family members were killed in World War 11, my father received a purple heart, my great Uncle Casey was killed somewhere over the Pacific, my Uncle Stan was in the belly of an aircraft shooting at the enemy, my granfather shoveled coal into a train furnace in France in World War 1. By the way my father is German and he covered Gen. Pattons flank in World War 11 in Germany!
    This story needs to be told and I trust you will do what you have apparently have done all of your life-the right thing.

    God Bless you and your entire Family for Eternity and thank you and your family for protecting our Great Country.

    Sincerely,

    Jeffrey J. Berg
    Chicago, Illinois
    P.S. I was too young for Vietnam.

  • 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

  • President Bush led us into an unnecessary war in Iraq. Iraq was not a threat to our vital national interests. Even if the war was justified, he erred in failing to listen to the Iraq experts who warned that keeping the peace after defeating Saddam Hussein would be a problem. President Bush’s unwillingness to listen to dissenting opinions has cost many American and Iraqi lives.

    We have lost, to date, approximately 1000 American soldiers, sailors and airmen in Iraq. Thousands more are permanently disabled. We have the greatest military force in the world. They performed magnificently in Iraq. We are justifiably proud of them, but we should never ask them to risk their lives unless our vital national interests are at stake.

    President Bush has led us on a long, costly detour on the war on terrorism. We will pay for his mistakes for many years.

    • When are the people of this country going to demand that as much money be spent in non-violent conflict resolution as is spent in killing each other.......Switzerland this tiny little countr has not had a war in over 300 years, yes longer than the U.S. entire history by nearly 100 years..... how is that possible???? Unlike the U.S., Switzerland does not send a corrupt C.I.A. around the world trying to control other nations governments. They mind their own business, and go about their business of providing the best lifestyle their country can have. They do not squander the taxpayers hard earned money on the latest and greatest killing machines to dominate the rest of the world. We are creating this terror war by our actions and associations, and every citizen who approves of this is putting the planet in harms way. If you love your families you will look out for their future instead of getting into this football game mentality of we must win win win. Stop glorifying war. Stop sacrificing your children for fantasy stories about the reasons to always have war all of the time. Wake up people we must share the planet it does not belong to our government.....we can do better.

  • Thank you for your candor and courage.
    From a fellow Veteran,
    Nancy

  • Who knows. Think for yourself, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. In the 60,s I and my wife were avid anti communists fighters. Today I see their ideaology, socialistic principles. Infiltration of their beleifs. A house devided against itself cannot stand. Lets come togerher and serve the one God. Don’t be misslead by every wind of doctrine, Pray for our leaders. Keep the faith. If God be for us who can be against us. Give no thought for your life. God is able to sustain, you. Dl.

    • The fact that you served in the military should be proof to you that you do not have sound judgement. Now you are all fucked up on Jesus, why would anyone listen to you?

    • Are you sure the CSM and Major were in the USMC? The signature block at the bottom of the letter said USA after their respective ranks. The letters "USA" stands fos United States Army.

      Charlie C. Carlson II
      Command Sergeant-Major USA Ret.
      Dot Diehl-Carlson
      [Ex-Major USA Vietnam Vet]

      PS: Their son knows you don’t talk bad about the Camander in Chief in anything other than a very private conversation, regardless of how POOR A LEADER HE IS!!!!!

  • Make no mistake, sir. This is the second American revolution, and the soul of the nation is at stake.

    This is not hyberbole, this is the essence of the situation.

    The Bush Administration actually believed that they could use the military to their ends; as props, as photo ops, as cannon fodder, as guards to their regime, and, most important to their needs, as unquestioning votes.

    Being comprised largely of men who love war from the sidelines, this administration’s view of the military was of an homogenous group amenable to flag-waving jingoism, that would follow orders without question.

    What they never considered, never expected, was the thinking warrior.

    Now, they are faced with the harsh reality that they cannot count on blind obedience, either from the front lines, from the brass at the top, or career military, like your son.

    Men being called up for a return to Iraq are going AWOL in alarming numbers.

    That means that their plans for a military coup, where the military would willingly put down actions in the streets here after another fraudulent election, can no longer be counted on.

    The brass is not going to stand uniformly with them to keep them in power.

    The troops on the ground overseas are no longer going to supply them with absentee ballots all in their favor. Not legitimately, at any rate.

    Their immediate response is, of course, to try and bully any who refuse or question. To put down dissent, and convey the image of monolithic support. That is why your son, like others who have dared to speak out, was charged. That is why an entire battery is under house arrest awaiting redeployment to Iraq.

    Their other response is to lie and cheat. There will be no honest voting done by our troops this year. Websites designed to allow overseas voter registration have been shut down and will not be reopened. What results do get sent back home will be fraudulent.

    This is the war, Iraq is just one of the battles.

    I am firmly convinced that a substantial portion of the military brass is going to have to let the Bush Administration know, in no uncertain terms, that they will NOT support any attempts to force a second Bush Administration on the country militarily, or there will be blood shed in the streets of America, and not because of foreign terrorists.

    I believe that the Bush Administration has already planned to take to the streets to put down resistance after they take the election. They have worked tirelessly to put forth the notion to their supporters that any who disagree with them are unamerican supporters of terrorism. But they need the military, and the National Guard to do their dirty work, should it come to that. And now, it’s not so certain that they will have blind obedience.

    My greatest fear is this: what will they do in desparation? They will never give away their power willingly. And they already have a history of lying and cheating. They already have blood on their hands. All they care about is money and power. What lengths will they go to to keep it?

  • This "letter" was written by some Berkeley co-ed wearing bunny slippers in her dorm room. Too funny.