University of Virginia Library

Asks War Support

I have been following, with great
dismay, the printed and verbal
discussions related to our position
in the "conflict" in Viet Nam.
It is very difficult for me to believe
that the majority of what is said
has been given much thought, is
based on actual knowledge of the
situation, or in the interest of
anyone except our enemies (hot
or cold).

Let me preface my thoughts
with this statement: having
participated in a small segment of
our operations in that area for a
year I can honestly say that I'm
not in complete agreement with
many of our decisions concerning
our efforts there. Nor do I claim
to be an expert by any means on
any phase of the operations. But
I do feel very strongly that more
constructive criticism and moral
support for the people still there
and bearing the brunt of the struggle
is vital.

It is very easy to sit here, 11,000
miles removed, and "spout" so to
speak-it is something else again
to offer criticisms and proposals.
Very few people, even those who
have spent some time in Viet
Nam, realize the magnitude and
multiplicity of our problems there.
Hawks and Doves are a part of
our heritage, and most of our important
decisions in the past have
been accompanied by long periods
of debate, but for anyone to say
or believe that we can solve this
problem with a series of either/
or, simple solutions, displays a
great lack of knowledge of the
situation. The segments or fractions
of people who finally wield
enough pressure to come up with
some sensible solutions, will not
rise from the streets after riots,
or after a weekend protest bus
trip to Washington, or from the
steps after a sit-in at an induction
center.

They will be the people who have
lived with this thing daily, listened
to the few chords of constructive
criticism, and have in their
possession the tool of experience.
The dirt-balls, even with all their
beads, beards, and drums can't
convince men that they are the
people to decide whether or not
I have to go back and fight a
war. If they (and I direct this at
the majority of the voices of dissension)
are sincerely concerned,
beyond self-interest, they would
still be in school, the service, or
in some other responsible fashion
obtaining the information, education,
experience to come up with
some sensible solutions. I'm all
for love and flowers and irresponsibility-but
they don't pave
the road to decision and leadership.

"Why should I fight a war I
don't believe in?" How many times
I've heard this-and how many
times will people have to be reminded
that to live in this country,
and bask in its freedoms requires
also some responsibilities. Some
of the bravest people in battle have
been those who didn't even know
how to load a rifle.

One of our greatest assets has
been our desire to solve our problems
in the best and most expedient
way-it has also been, at times,
a liability. This conflict is a new
experience for us-the history
books provide a framework for
some of our decisions, but by no
means the answers. This is a great
challenge for us- and our lights
have always shone brightest in the
face of the greater challenges, so
let's hear criticisms, proposals, and
ideas, but let's not hear a lack of
support for those fighting presently,
or the fact that this is
our problem to solve in the best
fashion-not via getting more
votes for the next election, or irresponsible
and lopsided attacks,
weekend marches, sit-ins, or riots.
We have a responsibility to support,
until we come up with something
better, the decisions of our
democratic machine-in spite of the
fact that it may need a little oiling.