Veterans Join Iraq Protest
By D.J. Siegel/Washington D.C.
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A small band of several dozen American military veterans and other protestors descended on the National Mall to speak out against the Iraq war Wednesday, the fifth anniversary of the conflict. Buoyed by supportive honks from passing motorists, members of Veterans for Peace waved signs and flags toward the Capitol building, hoping to send a message to Congress and the Bush administration. “Our position is bring them home now,” said David Thomas, a Marine Corps Vietnam veteran. “There’s no such thing as immediate withdrawal – you don’t withdraw 130,000 people overnight – it has to be staged. But we want it to begin tomorrow. It can begin this afternoon as far as we’re concerned.” The fifth anniversary of the conflict was marked by protests throughout D.C., including rallies in front of the White House and other government buildings. Turnout for the veterans protest was small, but protestors hoped that the many separate protests would have a collective effect. |
“I’d say it’s a half decent turnout in light of the fact that people are asked to come from across the country on so many occasions,” said Thomas. “If you know anything about a fight or combat, there are various locations or sites that need to be confronted. That’s what you do when there’s a lot of places you have to visit.” While protestors were met largely with support on Wednesday, that hasn’t always been the case. Protestor Diane Wilson, a medic during the Vietnam War, reported significant backlash in her hometown in Texas. “You’re commies, pinkos, terrorists,” Wilson reported hearing. “That will even come from your family,” she said. “We as veterans know the pain of veterans,” said protestor Ellen Barfield, an Army veteran. “We took an oath just exactly like Cheney and Bush did, but they have abrogated their oath. They’re stomping all over the constitution.” “We all agreed to defend and protect the constitution and they’re not doing it,” said Barfield. “We’re here to say the war and occupation must end, the troops have to be taken care of, and we owe reparations to the Iraqis and the Afghans.” Barfield also criticized the government for poor treatment of troops once they return home. “They holler about supporting the troops, but when they get home, they’re dropped. They just kick them out. They don’t have any benefits. It’s outrageous. They gotta take care of them,” she said. Many of the protestors were Vietnam veterans, who saw parallels between the current conflict and their days fighting overseas. “It was staged then…this thing was orchestrated. There’s a lot of similarities,” said Thomas. As for the future of the conflict, veterans expressed concern that the war could escalate. “There are increasing indications that Cheney and Bush intend to attack Iran, probably in September or October,” said group member Andy Schoerke. Bush “has all the authority he needs. It doesn’t make any difference to them what the American people think.” Their voices may have been few on the anniversary of the conflict, the veterans’ message from their post overlooking the nation’s capital was clear. “We want the American people to know there are veterans who have served honorably who we feel have the real interests of the country at heart,” said Thomas. “This is an unjust and illegal war.” - As originally reported on Medill News Service, March 19, 2008 |