As international tensions increase with a U.S. military attack
looming against Iraq, local veterans of four wars
– from World War II to the Persian Gulf War – discussed the
present situation in the Middle East and their own experiences in
battle.
All four veterans – R.J. Andrade (Gulf War), Charlie Scott
(Vietnam War), Chuck Williams (Korean War) and John Buchanan (World
War II) – live in Hollister.
As international tensions increase with a U.S. military attack looming against Iraq, local veterans of four wars – from World War II to the Persian Gulf War – discussed the present situation in the Middle East and their own experiences in battle. All four veterans live in Hollister.
R.J. Andrade
Gulf War
R.J. Andrade, a 31-year-old veteran of the Persian Gulf War in Iraq, fought on the front lines as a machine-gunner for the U.S. Marine Corps and earned a Combat Action Ribbon.
Originally from Arizona, Andrade talked about his war experiences 12 years ago. He said he was prepared for action and felt he had “nothing to lose” because he never knew his father and his mother was murdered when he was 15.
“I said, ‘Bring it. Let’s go do this right now,’ I didn’t give a damn about anything.”
Andrade said he “saw action the way you see action in movies,” and called the experience “a scary thing.”
Regardless of the inevitable brutality of war, Andrade said he “absolutely” agrees with the current strategy of attacking Iraq if Saddam Hussein doesn’t comply with the Bush administration’s demands for full disarmament.
There is “unfinished business,” Andrade said, because the U.S. has failed to assassinate Hussein since the Persian Gulf War broke out in 1991. He said the nation should attack Iraq, even without the military support of dissenting countries such as France and Germany.
“We need to go out there and handle business. If nobody else wants to back us up, then we need to go there and handle business,” he said.
With regards to the worldwide protests against the possible war, he said “newer generations in the U.S. and abroad are softer, (and) morals are different.”
Andrade said he feels confident in a victory if war becomes reality because U.S. soldiers are more knowledgeable and better prepared than in 1991.
“Technology is running the show… Technology is the way to win the war.”
Charlie Scott
Vietnam War
Charlie Scott is the commander of Hollister Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9242 and a member of the Veterans Day Parade Coalition.
He said it’s important for the U.S. to at least show a potential for force, “to induce individuals like Saddam (Hussein) that force is ready is he doesn’t comply.”
And he said the United Nations must show it is serious about Iraq complying with its regulations.
“We go out there and make rulings and then don’t back them up? It (the U.N.) is going to become a worthless organization. It has to enforce the rules.”
If there is war, Scott said, “Up front, it’s going to be short.”
He said although people should have the right to protest, “when it comes down to the moment, we’ve got to be able to stand together.”
When he fought in Vietnam, Scott said the widespread protests were “demoralizing,” and when soldiers in Vietnam would hear of the dissension at home, many would say, “Why am I over here?” Why are they (protesters) doing that?”
Chuck Williams
Korean War
Chuck Williams fought in the Korean War and as a sergeant led a group of U.S. soldiers on an escape from a prisoners of war camp.
With the current situation in mind, Williams supports disarmament of Iraq and will support the Bush Administration’s decision on the use of military force.
“I just have to go with my gut feeling. Bush is just a spokesman. Even though he runs this country, he can’t make the decision on his own.”
Williams said he disagrees with worldwide protesting.
“We put our boys at risk, to do a job, to save our country over in (Iraq). By God, we should support them… People don’t realize the cost of freedom. They think it’s all for free. It doesn’t come cheap.”
Williams said he feels “very bitter” about the issue of organized protesting and hopes the mood changes if America goes to war. He also hopes the country avoids a repeat of the Vietnam era’s climate of haste toward soldiers.
“Like the Vietnam War, with the protesting, those poor guys were out there and nobody supported them. People punished them for being in the war when they got home. This wasn’t right. They spit in their faces, threw coffee in their faces. This is no way to treat your countrymen.”
John Buchanan
World War II
Like the three other veterans, John Buchanan supports a military attack in Iraq.
“I do believe Saddam Hussein, if allowed to continue, will destabilize the Middle East,” the World War II veteran said. “Having gone through appeasement days as a soldier, I don’t want to repeat that.”
Buchanan said he supports freedom of speech, but doesn’t support U.S. protesting during a war.
“If we have a declaration of war, which I don’t expect, at that point protest becomes aiding and abetting the enemy.”
Word of protests in the U.S. and abroad affects the morale of soldiers, he said. Though soldiers are professionals and will do their job capably, he said support would help “ease their minds.”
“I think if the president commits troops to action, the people of the U.S. better support their fighting men.”
