Letters to the Editor
-
Garry Owen
I was raised as a pacifist, and I remain one today. In 1969, I refused to serve when drafted, but I was denied CO status because my pacifism was not based on religion - I was also raised as an atheist. I spent 10 months in maximum security prison until the Supremem Court ruled that CO status could not be dependent upon religion. I have no idea what real combat is like, but I do know that waiting in the dark knowing that the enemy is coming (Aryan Brotherhood in my case)can be monumentally terrifying. I have 7 knife wound scars and 37 cigarette burn scars - my private combat.
All of that said, I was also taught that war is not a military problem in terms of deciding to go to war but, rather, a civilian leadership problem. The average soldier simply is not consulted in the decision to go to war. So, I volunteer at the Portland VA Medical Center. There are many very dedicated people working there, but we are creating injured soldiers at too rapid a pace to keep up. The lack of money is appalling. Simple things like latex/synthetic gloves, saline flushes, even Tylenol are in very short supply. How can we send our people to fight and then not take care of them when they are injured? I do not understand this.
I respect your service even though I cannot and will not serve myself. I'm not sure why I even posted here, except that many of us, even far lefties like me, respect and honor the soldiers who have accepted the call even when the call was criminal.
Best regards
DZ