Many Valley Veterans Cast Wary Eye at Bosnia Mission

President Clinton was making one of the biggest sales pitches of his presidency Monday, and the men at American Legion Post 817 weren’t buying.

“America protects its own,” the President said on television.

“Like Vietnam,” one veteran grumbled. “What a lie,” said another as his bar mates snickered.

John Klapack, 74, who was a Marine in World War II, scowled when Clinton pledged that U.S. troops would spend only a year in Bosnia. “Like in Vietnam--where you haven’t been,” growled Klapack, whose son, John Jr., died in the Vietnam War.

The President’s speech Monday night was supposed to rally public opinion behind his plan to send 20,000 American troops to Bosnia. But judging by a random sampling, he was making only slight progress at winning the hearts and minds of San Fernando Valley veterans. Many scoffed and hooted derisive comments at the TV set, often using the words “draft dodger,” as Clinton spoke.

“It’s all right until we lose the first man,” said Jerry Brundage, 73, pounding on the bar at American Legion Post 826 in West Hills. “As far as I’m concerned, that’s a European problem, that’s a civil war that’s been going on for 600 years.”

And Brundage is one Vietnam veteran who says he likes Clinton.

Reaction to the speech among veterans appeared to depend largely on the viewer’s opinion of the President before the speech.

Valley-area lawmakers mostly split down party lines, Democrats praising Clinton’s call as a responsible exercise in world peacekeeping, Republicans seeing a dangerously murky policy with no crucial American interest at stake.

“I have listened to our President make many speeches and there is no question he has the ability to sell almost anything,” said Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley). “But I think this was the weakest speech he’s ever given. He dealt with the emotional issues . . . but he did not spell out our national interest or clearly define the mission or tell us when we would leave.”

Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson (D-Woodland Hills) heard what Gallegly did not.

“I think it was a strong speech and I hope it will start to persuade America that this is the right thing to do,” countered Beilenson, who said he has already made up his mind to support the mission.

“One of the things one learns here in Washington is that certain things don’t happen in the world without the United States taking a leadership role,” Beilenson said. “Our involvement has brought Bosnia close to peace. I don’t see how we can possibly walk away from this now.”

Rep. Howard P. (Buck) McKeon (R-Santa Clarita) does.

“I’m not convinced,” he said after the speech. “I don’t think he told me what our vital national interest is. He talked about leadership and I agree with that. But leadership doesn’t have to mean putting troops on the ground.”

Unlike many other Democrats, Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Los Angeles) was still undecided.

“My hesitation is caused by uncertainty,” Waxman said. “I still want to know more.”

The congressional representatives said they haven’t heard much from their constituents on Bosnia, but expect to get an earful in the coming weeks.

They could just drop by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2085 in Canoga Park, where Bob Moran of Chatsworth waved his cigar at Clinton’s televised face Monday. “That guy never told the truth about anything,” he said. “He doesn’t belong in office. He’s a goddamned draft dodger sitting up there sending troops all over the world.”

Sam Bridgers Jr., a Northridge resident and Korean War veteran, walked over to Moran. “I think we should send the contingent . . . ,” he began.

“Beginning of a new Vietnam,” Moran said.

Bridgers kept going. “Just the 20,000, but no more for us, as an advisory support unit.”

Bridgers’ fellow veterans were outraged. “What are you, a Democrat?” asked one.

“No!” Bridgers said.

“When the first body comes back, I want to see Clinton go to [the soldier’s mother] and say, ‘I’m sorry,’ ” said Richard Jankins, 73, a World War II veteran.

“If they decide to go, they ought to make sure that the guys who go are taken care of,” said Ron Nussbaum, 50, a Canoga Park infantry veteran, recalling how he was led through the rear exit of a Seattle airport to avoid protesters when he returned from Vietnam.

Several veterans said Clinton should focus his attention and U.S. money on domestic problems.

Keith Williams, 71, a World War II veteran and Arleta resident, was more resigned. “If it has to be done, it has to be done,” he said. “I don’t like it, but he’s got the Pentagon and all the brains there. You can see this place is a Republican stronghold, but we’re not all united in our opinion.”

Chu is a Times staff writer and Riccardi a correspondent. Times staff writer Marc Lacey also contributed to this report from Washington.