John Vukich – 9/3/06

This page was last updated on September 3, 2006.

Stand up and serve; John Vukich; Beaver County Times; September 3, 2006.

As they say, “great” minds think alike. This is simply a different version of Nikola Drobac’s letter of August 29^th. Most of my comments about that letter apply to this letter.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our soldiers, and I feel a certain sense of pride when I see them on the news wearing my old division patch. Their discipline, sacrifice, and service are above reproach.

“I know that I learned two things from my service - to stand in admiration and have the utmost respect for all who served before, and to feel nothing less than compassion, love and pride for all those who serve after.

“It’s because of this love and compassion that I say it’s time to come home. Job well done.”

[RWC] I have two comments about this section.

First, I have a tough time believing the authors of letters like this when they write things like “I couldn’t be prouder of our soldiers,” “I support the troops,” et cetera. That’s because these folks also tend to be the same folks who believe the worst about our servicemen in an attempt to tar President Bush.

Second, I doubt for one second Mr. Vukich meant it when he wrote, “Job well done.”

“Now, finally, there is good news for all the supporters of President Bush. It’s time to stand up and serve. You no longer have to be stuck at your job or sitting at a bar defending his policies.

“The Army has raised the enlistment age to 42 years old. This means instead of spending Christmas with your family this year, you can go to Iraq and maybe one of the kids that’s on his second or third tour can spend the holidays at home this year.

“Now that you have a college education, you can get a commission and lead an infantry platoon. Think of the adrenalin rush of picking which doors to knock down and sending out a few young men to flush out a sniper.”

[RWC] Do all “the supporters of President Bush” have a college education?

“Imagine the sounds of the Blackhawks flying in to remove your wounded and the look on that kid’s face as he is carried off in the litter.

“When you come home, God willing, you’ll understand that the kid sitting across from you at the bar with the 1,000-yard stare was a friend and brother to one of the statistics that are so callously quoted in the news everyday.”

[RWC] The gist of the previous several paragraphs is that anyone who supports the current action in Iraq is an uncaring warmonger. That’s the same as name-calling and a sure sign of someone who can’t engage in an intelligent debate of the issue.

“Instead of recalling all those Marines, stand up and serve. It was your vote, now it’s your turn.”

[RWC] See my critique of Nikola Drobac’s letter.