Rutland (VT) Herald: People must reclaim power

[marmar]

People must reclaim power

May 28, 2008

By JOSEPH GAINZA

Inspired by Thomas Paine's dismissal of "sunshine patriots," and following the example of Vietnam War vets 37 years earlier, veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan occupations came together for three days, March 13-16, 2008, under the banner of Winter Soldier.

At the George Meany National Labor College in Silver Spring, Md., the vets related their eyewitness accounts of the occupations, described their sense of betrayal and shame, and the transformations, personal and political, which still occupy them.

Iraq Veterans Against the War, event organizers, described the purpose of the testimonies: Once again, we are fighting for the soul of our country. We will demonstrate our patriotism by speaking out with honor and integrity instead of blindly following failed policy. Winter Soldier is a difficult but essential service to our country.

The vets described what they did and what they witnessed which made them first question and then oppose the occupations. They talked about how their initial exhilaration turned into resentment, anger, fear and a sense of betrayal as they realized that rather than freeing Iraq they were occupiers making up rules of engagement to maintain control of the population.

The young men and women who went to Iraq with high ideals of liberation and service to the Iraqi people described how their humanity was diminished by the realities of military occupation and a repressive U.S. government agenda.

These veterans are heroes who love their country. Many are proud to have served in the military even as they now realize that the war they were sent to, and the policies which led to it are criminally wrong and immoral. They have done the excruciatingly hard work of facing themselves and seeking the truth about their experience and behavior. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080528/OPINION03/805280317/1039/OPINION03