Letters to the editor for Wednesday, December 15, 2004

European and Mideast editions

(EDITOR’S NOTE: These are the letters that appeared in each edition of Stripes on this publication date. Click here to jump ahead to the Pacific edition letters)

Women don’t belong in infantry

In response to “Women Can Handle War” (Oct. 31), this subject is so delicate for any enlisted male to speak about, let alone write about.

So, leaving all personal opinions aside, I say if females want to go into infantry units, then let them in. But in doing so, you have to level the playing field completely, starting with physical fitness requirements and body fat requirements.

Living quarters in garrison should be integrated down to having Marines of the opposite sex as roommates. Females should also have to register for the selective service as all men do when they turn 18.

Right now it is overly obvious to most infantry noncommissioned officers that the military is more concerned with quantity not quality. It would rather have beefed up battalions with as many personnel as possible, regardless of how many of them have to be carried or excessively helped along the way.

Since we are already letting anyone who tells his recruiter that he wants infantry into the infantry, why limit it to kids who can barely hack it? Open the door completely to females, too.

Then do anonymous surveys of the units that have been integrated. See how many men complain about having to “pick up the slack” or do extra sandbag working parties, or carry gun systems that much further on a hump.

See how many sexual harassment cases you have in those units, how many unwanted pregnancies you have. Watch and see how low morale gets.

Women have played a large role in the war on terrorism in support roles. No one can deny that. And yes, this is a different fight than America has had in the past. The war has changed, the world has changed and the military has changed. The only thing that has not changed is the fact that the United States has won every major fight it has been in for years and years. So I say either rewrite the whole program, or drop it.

If the U.S. war machine isn’t broke, don’t try to fix it.

Marine Sgt. Michael David Tilus
Al Qaim, Iraq

They weren’t ‘religionists’

In response to the letter writer afraid that a “holy roller” or “religionist” might use a weapon of mass destruction (“All religious fanatics a threat,” Dec. 6), and his intolerance of religious views, I would like to rebut that with few facts he deigned to forget.

At this time, one of the terrorist states in the world is North Korea, known to probably have nuclear weapons and very willing to use them. In this totalitarian state a professing Christian would be killed or imprisoned to be “re-educated” to their proper atheistic world view, maybe using the book the letter writer espoused as the truth. If that same Christian escaped into China, he would probably be immediately returned to North Korea where he would be summarily executed, or he would be imprisoned in China to be “re-educated” also.

But let’s go back a little to the enlightened 20th century. Have you forgotten the 20 million to 30 million killed by Josef Stalin? I don’t believe he was a religionist.

How about Adolph Hitler? Over 6 million there. Nope, he was not a religionist.

Hmmm, how about Chairman Mao Zedong? What is another 20 million here or there? No, not him either.

Let’s see, how about Pol Pot in Cambodia? Only 2 million to 3 million, he was not a religionist either.

Let me see, how about the millions in South Vietnam, murdered because they were Christians or sent to re-education camps.

Sudan? Somalia? Ethiopia?

So is it possible, if a religionist had a weapon of mass destruction he would use it? Maybe, but I would submit to you that recent and past history, if you want to continue to look further back, will prove that it is not a religionist you should be looking for, but maybe one with a more enlightened atheistic world view, perhaps.

Maj. Tim Cutler
Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar

Column won’t be printed

I would like to offer reassurance to the writer of “All religious fanatics are a threat.” His concern is the notion of publishing in Stars and Stripes a Christian devotional column.

He avowed, “... I swear to resist and revolt against all attempts to impose your dangerous beliefs upon me and all free people ...” Mercifully, we are spared specifics as to how he would “revolt and resist.”

Relax, specialist. I am certain Stripes will never publish this column. After eight months in-country, I have yet to read anything in this paper remotely encouraging for soldiers. Rather, if one were to base his assessment of the U.S. military’s effort solely on Stripes’ reporting, one would conclude (a) the military is routinely getting its backside kicked and (b) official U.S. military policy is to abuse, degrade and humiliate any insurgents captured. So encouragement of soldiers — of Christian faith or otherwise — is not an editorial objective.

Another reason such a column will never sully these pages follows: We often see ads about Stripes reporters with the proud claim “No one tells your story like we do.” In the Dec. 6 issue I note articles by writers for The Associated Press, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Daily News, The Washington Post and Scripps Howard News Service. It was another issue of Stripes without a single article by a designated Stripes reporter. However, note the publications featured: they are all unabashedly liberal newspapers or news services — apparently consistent with the Stripes editorial policy. Liberal publications are decidedly not pro-Christian.

A final note, specialist. I do not need to read “The End of Faith” to ascertain whether our Founding Fathers desired to establish a nation with Christian ideals. I have read many of their letters and documents (their own words). George Washington said, “True religion affords government its surest support. The future of this nation depends on the Christian training of our youth. It is impossible to govern without the Bible.”

For you may I recommend “The Faith of the Founding Fathers” by Edward H. Erwin for your edification.

Maj. Darrell R. Over
Camp Cooke, Iraq

Only infantry deserves CIB

Despite the pleas by all noninfantry soldiers out there who think because they perform a few tasks that they should be awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge for their service in this war: There is a time when the Army calls on its best to go do the job. And I can guarantee you it is not those who are out there crying about not getting one.

I had the chance to be part of the operation to take out the insurgents in Najaf this past August. All of these so-called infantrymen out there were doing maybe a patrol, maybe a raid, or even a snap traffic control point. Heaven forbid the Army asks you to perform basic soldiering skills. I guess you don’t remember that you are a soldier first and your military occupational specialty second.

In regards to Najaf, our commanders called the best trained battalion in the 1st Cavalry Division, an infantry battalion, because he knew that was our job. The key word there is our “job.” You may be asked to do things that are similar to our job, but I can assure you that you do nothing like us.

Ask around next time Najaf comes up. You will find out that only we should be awarded the CIB because only we can do the job we did.

Spc. Kenji Nihipali
Camp Striker, Baghdad

Pacific edition

Helping troops ample reward

An open letter to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan:

Hi it’s me, the air-conditioner lady from Delaware. Some of you know me from www.operationac.com for getting air conditioners to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom 1 when my son, Sgt. Chris Tomlinson, was with the 300th MP Company. Well, I’m still here, about 8,000 air conditioners later and now we are shipping you heaters; we’ve gotten about 10,000 of those to you. We just sent the U.S. Marines about $50,000 worth of stuff and in all we’ve sent about 800 full-sized Christmas trees with the lights on them to those of you who found me on the Internet.

I’ve raised $2.3 million to support you all since June 2003 and I’ve sent you all so much really, but it is all “stuff.” What we really send can’t be bought — it is our love for you and what you do for us. I keep saying “we” because I want you all to know that Operation Air Conditioner is just my family and the support of many thousands of Americans who give money to support you. We have adopted you out to sponsors all over the United States.

I think the mail delay at Baghdad International Airport may have to do with the large amount of mail that leaves Delaware for you just about every day in our 24-foot box truck. You know I’ll send it to you, anything, I mean — from toilet seats to tools, to R13 insulation, radios, dryer venting, deck screws, power tools, DCUs, shoes, socks, CamelBaks and Altama combat boots (we’ve sent about $300,000 worth of those already). I made a big stink with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service about the Gatorade situation this summer and so you saw a lot more at the DFACs; hence I hoped that worked out for many of you.

The reason I’m writing you is to let you know that my family and I are here for you and I want to take this opportunity for those who know me to say: May God bless and keep you safe and please don’t forget to send me your combat patch and a postcard when you get home.

That is all I ever asked for in return — to know that you made it back. I’ve even had the blessing of soldiers showing up at my house and ringing the doorbell with wives and kids in tow. So as you spend your long hours on your watch and doing your job, please know that my family and I think about you and think of ways to support you every day.

You are not alone — your countrymen are behind you. You have no idea of the number of supporters you have — your sacrifices and those of your families do not go unnoticed by us. We care and we know you are away from home and we send our prayers for your return when the mission is complete. Happy holidays to you all.

Most of all I want to say this simple thing to each one of you: Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do. There are some of us civilians who get it. I’m just a soldier’s mom who thought it was time for someone to do something for our troops and it is best job I ever had in my life. My pay comes in the mail: it is postcards, letters and combat patches — each one with a story and I will never forget you. I will never let you down.

Frankie Mayo
Newark, Del.

Volunteers performed well

In the years of the American Revolution, the Kentucky Long-riflemen and the Tennessee Volunteers developed and improved one of the most controversial forms of combat. As snipers they were innovators in their field and they were cold killers for a cause.

The only drawback to the reserve forces that made up these units was their discipline. Since they were a volunteer force, they did not stick around to follow the misinformed and strategically challenged leaders for whom they were levied. They would bob and weave and live to snipe another day.

Unlike Gen. George Washington and the British, they were not into face-to-face, rank-to-rank combat. Perhaps they saw the futility that is apparent in always presenting yourself as a target to the enemy.

Since then our manner of waging war has altered. The Volunteers are no longer “volunteers.” As a Kentucky-raised former military member, I would like to thank my fellow whiskey-state Guardsmen for the excellent questions they asked of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld [on Wednesday in Kuwait]. Particularly, I applaud the two individuals who stepped up to Mr. Rumsfeld and, in front of their unit’s sergeants major and their respective officer corps, presented honest questions. They held Mr. Rumsfeld accountable and, as can be witnessed by his response, they shocked him with their integrity. That is more then I can say for the rest of the world and most of the U.S. military.

The questions so caught Mr. Rumsfeld off guard that he offered up some ridiculous responses. (If you think you are going to catch them on the Pentagon news channel updates on American Forces Network, think again.) At one point in his speech, Mr. Rumsfeld stated: “Is it dangerous? You bet your life it is.”

Who is he kidding? I did bet my life for almost 10 months last year in Iraq and he was speaking to troops who likely will be doing the same. Did he need to tell them or was he just filling space because he was trying to get out of there before being burned again?

As soon as I heard the speech, I could only imagine what spin the public affairs department would design. Perhaps something like this: “We are proud to have a military that feels it can speak its mind.” Somewhere in that jumble you can read between the lines and hear Mr. Rumsfeld chewing out his staff. He probably wants to know who did not give the Tennessee Guardsmen their “do it harder, not smarter” shot. Of course, those are probably on back order along with the flu vaccine.

Do not get me wrong. I support my country and I voted for President Bush (as much as it pains me to say it) but I need to know what the plan is. Five years, 10 years, 15 years? Mr. Rumsfeld, give me a call and let me know so I can make another bet.

Marvin Rydberg
Okinawa

Kadena BX came through

Very recently, I had an alarming e-mail from the States informing me that a best friend had lost an only child in an auto accident. Feeling a deep sense of sorrow I immediately wanted to send a money order to help with flowers and expenses.

I rushed to the Kadena Air Base branch of the Pentagon Federal Credit Union, where I have an account, only to discover they don’t process money orders. My next step was to go to the Community Bank. I was turned away here because although I’m a retiree, I’m also non-SOFA status and, thereby, do not meet their requirements to be an account holder; thus I was denied being offered this particular service.

Lastly, I went to the Kadena Base Exchange (BX) knowing full well their policy is not to sell money orders before 3 p.m. It was now approximately 1 p.m. and, feeling somewhat impatient at the thought of watching the clock pass two more hours to the “magic” 3 p.m. time, I went to the manager’s office where a secretary immediately put me in contact with the sales and merchandising manager, Maryann Bishop, as well as the customer support manager, Tasha Dowsing.

Explaining my frustration, they fully understood my predicament and personally escorted me to the customer support section where a Japanese-national cash cage representative, Eiko-san, promptly expedited me getting my much-wanted money order.

Thanks to these three dedicated, caring ladies, I was then able to continue to purchase a sympathy card, drive home and write a quick letter and rush to my local Okinawa City post office to get things sent on their way home. Again, with my heartfelt thanks and gratitude, thank you Kadena BX and associates.

Lawrence M. Venus
Okinawa City