With a terribly heavy heart, I read a recent guest editorial written by Morgan Hill Times youth column Catherine Connor, who attends Ann Sobrato High School.
She pondered Army recruiters coming to high school, the costs of war and our national reputation. In her view, rather than teach young people to kill others, the government should invest in future education. Additionally, she charged that our country seems to anger other nations.
I was terribly shocked at such a diatribe denigrating this great nation. And, seriously wondered as to the politics of teachers in our high schools. What, in Heavens name, are they teaching our young.
From my many years of experience, almost 80, I find hope in the youth I have met.
Recently, I journeyed to Oceanside, California, to attend the 67th Anniversary of the United States 1st Marine Division, formed on Feb. 1, 1941. Of course, there had been many previous Marine brigades and regiments since 1776.
Nevertheless, this situation had occurred because I was making a presentation to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines (regiment) of memorabilia of the Korean War from my Battalion Commander, Col. F. Brooke Nihart. These 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines pictures and data of the horrendous battle for Hill 749 in North Korea, above the 38th parallel, during mid-September 1951 were reminders of legendary Marine battles. After Col. Nihart's demise, his wife had sent these remembrances to me, because I had written about the battle in "We Claim the Title, Korean War Marines," and Col. Nihart had written the introduction to my book.
My presentation was made in front of the 2nd Battalion billet to the Executive Officer. Standing on the steps of the building were some 30 Marines, witnessing the donation of this memorabilia to the archives of their battalion.
These Marines had only been back to Marine Base Camp Pendleton for a week from a year long deployment with seven months in Iraq. They were all buffed, straight, up-right and manly ... typical Marines. Many shook my hand and added accolades. Marines are always courteous and polite. There were brown, black, tan and white faces. And, one sure thing is that on the battlefield they will fight to the death for their brother Marine.
Later, we attended a banquet in honor of the 1st Marine Division with all the pomp and circumstance, enough to make one so proud it brings tears to the eyes, because "Once a Marine, Always a Marine."
These are some of the finest young men on this planet. They should not be denigrated by anyone.
So, after reading the "opinion" of a "youngster." I would like to say:
1. Although an invincible force, our armed forces are not "killers." Marines are "No better friend, nor your worst enemy." At briefings, we heard stories of how the media does not reveal all the truth. That in Al-Anbar province, the sheiks have embraced the Marines and turned against Al-Queda. That we are helping those people.
2. If our forces were not in Iraq, the terrorists would be here blowing us up as they have in Spain, England and France. Our forces in Iraq attracted the terrorists, who rushed to Iraq. Would you rather have the terrorists here?
3. Our country has angered the world. They don't like us. Nevertheless, peoples from all over the world flock to this country. I believe that says, "So what!"
4. Yes, you may have to pay the cost of this war against terrorists. However, I believe this great country can absorb the cost for freedom. Actually, I don't understand that argument. We, the people of this great nation, have been paying for the cost of freedom since 1776.
Young students, our nation has always had dignity. I am reminded of the banquet again to celebrate the Birthday of the 1st Marine Division. As is the tradition, on this special occasion, a gigantic cake is brought out and the first two pieces for the oldest and youngest, present, are cut by the commanding general with his sword. Standing straight and tall, our World War II Marine was 94. The youngest Marine present was 19.
We, Marines, as well as all our military, have maintained the dignity of this great nation for more than 230 years. May it continue, so help us God .
Burton Anderson Burton Anderson, a U.S. Marine veteran of the Korean War, has lived in California for about 50 years. He has a background in the aerospace industry. He may be reached at bandtp@aol.com. The Board of Contributors is comprised of local writers whose views appear on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Although the Morgan Hill Times does not have any obligation to monitor this board, the Morgan Hill Times reserves the right at all times to check this board and to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to the Morgan Hill Times in our sole discretion and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. The Morgan Hill Times also reserves the right to permanently block any user who violates these terms and conditions. All threats to systems or site infrastructure shall be assumed genuine in nature and will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Submission of any comments will be considered permission to use online or in print.
