VFW urges military to back off of activists

The nation’s largest combat veterans group on Friday urged the military to “exercise a little common sense” and call off its investigation of Iraq war veterans who wore their uniforms during war protests.

“Trying to hush up and punish fellow Americans for exercising the same democratic right we’re trying to instill in Iraq is not what we’re all about,” said Gary Kurpius, national commander of the 2.4-million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars.

“Someone in the Marine Corps needs to exercise a little common sense and put an end to this matter before it turns into a circus.”

Marine Cpl. Adam Kokesh had already received an honorable discharge from active duty before he was photographed in March wearing fatigues -- with military insignia removed -- during a mock patrol with other veterans protesting the Iraq war.

Kokesh received his honorable discharge after a combat tour in Iraq. He is now in the Individual Ready Reserve, a pool of former active-duty service members in unpaid, nondrill status.

A military panel in Kansas City, Mo., will hold a hearing Monday to decide whether he should be discharged from service and, if so, with what type of discharge.

Col. Dave Lapan, a Marine Corps spokesman, said Kokesh was under administrative review because he wore his uniform at a political event, which is prohibited. And, Lapan said, when a senior officer told Kokesh that he violated military regulations, Kokesh cursed and indicated he would not comply.

“It’s the political activity that is prohibited, not the type of event that it was,” Lapan said. “If it had been a pro-war rally, it would still have been a violation.”

The panel could recommend an honorable discharge, a general discharge or an other-than-honorable discharge. Kokesh could not be given a dishonorable discharge, which generally results from a court-martial. The final decision would be made by the commanding general.

Another uniformed Marine at the event was unaware he was breaking the rules and said he would not again, Lapan said.

Kurpius said a less-than-honorable discharge could threaten potential educational and other Veterans Affairs benefits for Kokesh. Such a discharge might also be an obstacle to future employment requiring a security clearance, Kurpius said.

“We all know that people give up some individual rights when they join the military,” Kurpius said. “But these Marines went to war, did their duty and were honorably discharged from the active rolls. I may disagree with their message, but I will always defend their right to say it.”