A Time of War

5/8/07

By Nat Forcier
Special to the Critic

Nick Davis and Matt Howard, veterans who served multiple tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq, provided some insights into the war in the last issue. Members of the National Guard have also been called upon to serve in this Global War on Terror. When Charlie Forrest, LSC staff member, was sent to Iraq as a member of the Guard, Harry Swett, LSC staff member and Vietnam veteran, gave him a small Vermont state flag. Forrest took it with him and then returned it to Swett on a visit home months later. Swett asked him to keep it for the remainder of his tour, but Forrest insisted it stay stateside. He added his name and unit numbers to the flag in white and it still hangs in College mailroom today. Forrest came home, but there is still the possibility that his unit will be called upon to serve again in this war.

Swett said it is "such an ironic thing" when American citizens "scoff" at our privileges. "We take it for granted [while others in the world are] crawling just to get the right to vote," Swett said. David Ballou, LSC professor and Vietnam Era veteran, also advises that students "exercise your right to vote" while there is no draft that makes it compelling. When asked how we might best respond to the war, he repeated, "That is a hard question to answer other than with a vote." Shine, LSC professor and veterans advocate, acknowledged that "people's lives are hard" and we tend to avoid painful issues, but we need to become empowered as "agents of change in our society…If people thought they could make a difference, they might." She also reminds "politicians are beholden to the people."

Swett said the media provides only of "a snippet of what [soldiers] see" and is "so manipulative and so controlling." He looks to alternative sources of information for full coverage of opinions and events. "Those opposed are more vocal," Swett said. "Let 'em be -- I don't like it, but…they have a right to do so." He served in order to ensure that right remains in place.

Buck Beliles, LSC professor, "couldn't sit still" as the case for the war was advanced "based on lies…Wasn't enough to talk about opposing the war." His family joined in protests on campus, in New York City, and later in Washington DC. In spite of the size of protests, Beliles was "so disappointed" by the press he holds in such high regard. "They are not really doing their job anymore" and this leads to a "breakdown of our democracy," he suggested. For Beliles, it is important to "give play to another side" through alternative websites and print publications. Fellow faculty member Shine would like to "invite faculty to imbed important information into our courses…Students are interested in learning more." As the media begins to critique itself, it is hoped that films like Buying the War will be shown to all audiences in an effort to spread media literacy. We have developed a certain savvy when it comes to advertising, but we must see how those same techniques are applied to our most readily available sources of news. A healthy skepticism must be cultivated.

At the same time, it is of the utmost importance to support our troops and returning veterans. Davis stressed the power of mail as a morale booster. Swett recalled the importance of the written letter when he was a sergeant. Ballou remembered the same and gives a nod to cell phone technology.

Davis finds that movies that "over glorify" the military do a disservice and recommends the Valley of Elah. CAB could be showing important productions on campus: Body of War, Fog of War, Why We Fight, Buying the War, Bush's War, Bad Voodoo's War, and Taxi to the Dark Side. It is an investment in time, but all warrant viewing. Some are available for online viewing. The Winter Soldier hearings are also online. Iraq Veterans Against the War "implicating themselves in murder," said Howard, discuss the errors they saw occurring in Iraq and Afghanistan.

New Hampshire Guardsman Jose Pequeno, Sugar Hill police chief, was wounded in an attack that also killed a Vermont Guardsman. Anne Brown, Director of Americorps at LSC, also runs a summer quilting program that distributes quilts through Quilts of Valor and it was important to her one should reach this NH neighbor. "He has a young family and received severe head wounds…He still is not home (after years of) countless procedures and surgeries…His wife called me and thanked me. It is so sad…"

Another recipient wrote a poignant thank you note to Brown's group. Richard Jadick was presented with a quilt while attending a conference: "I am not wounded but have treated many of the wounded in Iraq during the campaign for Fallujah in 2004. I was there with 1st Bn 8th Marines and was merely at this conference to support those who were home and having trouble navigating a convoluted post combat course. [But]…to some degree we all return with wounds and whether physical or emotional they never go away. Thank-you for understanding and giving me such a tangible piece of comfort."

We all may not be able to offer such gifts to our troops and veterans, but we can exercise the rights and privileges they are ready to defend for us. We can also send mail and pay attention. This is a time of war.

Soldiers raise questions about war, the first part of this two part series.