Protests don't help our troops

Published March 29, 2003 - Protests don't help our troops

I am a Realtor in Holland. I am also a former Marine Corps officer who has a son deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His name is Guillermo Garcia. He is a sergeant supporting the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force from Camp Pendleton, Calif. He loves what he does and he loves the Corps. His mother and I are very proud of him and we pray for him daily. We are completely at peace, knowing that he is always in God's hands. I was already in the Corps when I met my wife. Guillermo was only 6 years old at the time. I am the only father he knows. During my 16-year career with the Corps, I deployed a lot, visiting 20 different countries and serving in four extended tours overseas. I was stationed in Okinawa for a year, the former Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia) for five months, Aviano, Italy, for 6 months and Incirlik, Turkey, for six months. My family is very familiar with the trials of extended separation. As a family, we fully support the president and our troops who are deployed anywhere overseas. Although I appreciate the right of all Americans to voice their opinion, I also feel like I am living in the society of Henny Penny. How many Americans who are protesting the war in Iraq did not vote in the last election? How many of them have never served their country? How many of them have never contributed anything to the political process in this country? It amazes me that many of the people barking the loudest about their "right" to exercise their freedom of speech are the ones who have done the least in their lives to earn that "right." As a Marine, we would have staff meetings with our commander. We would discuss options and strategies regarding upcoming situations. We may have had doubts and disputes as to just when and how things should be done. However, once the commander made the call, it was final and we all stood behind him and carried out his orders. America should take the same approach to matters of national interest. We elected our officials and should trust them to do the right things at the right time. As Americans, we are allowed to voice our opinions. But once a decision is final, we should get behind our leadership and support the cause. If we can't or don't support the cause, there are a number of ways to let our opinions be known without making a public spectacle, which can be seen not only here at home, but by all of our enemies abroad. These protesters seem to believe that they can protest the war and criticize our president while supporting the troops. I do not believe it is possible to do both simultaneously. As a former Marine, I can honestly tell you that every time we saw someone protesting the actions we were involved in or about to be involved in, we felt that it was directed at us as well as the politicians. We chose to serve our country by putting on a uniform and going to do battle at the command of our president. We chose to fight for freedom and the American way. Every person in this country who is publicly protesting the war and our president is protesting against our brave men and women in uniform. I didn't feel like they were supporting me while I was in the Corps, and I don't see what they're doing now as supporting my son as he strives to make the world a more peaceful place. Contrary to the belief of many, war can be very necessary. The situation in Iraq has been festering for over 12 years. Diplomacy has failed to resolve the problems in that region, which affect the entire world. The current regime in Iraq is not unlike Hitler's regime. Imagine what would have happened if someone would have stopped Hitler when he first invaded Poland. What would have happened if we could have prevented him from invading Europe and North Africa? How many lives could have been saved? What if we could have prevented the Holocaust? This is the same type of situation we have today! We have to stop this regime from doing any more damage than it has already done. As for the friends and family of those deployed to the Middle East, I would like to offer some advice. I suggest plenty of rest and relaxation, combined with a lot of faith and prayer. Your loved ones are in a hostile environment, doing a very tough job. The last thing they need in their lives right now is to know that someone back home is having serious problems or stressing out. It is best for them to know that no matter what happens, you are proud of them and support them 100 percent in their mission. Don't distract your loved one with a bunch of needless worry and stress. Your faith and support will strengthen them more than you will ever know.