Support Our Service Personnel, if Not a War

Re “Some Oppose War, Some Oppose Protest,” Feb. 2:

I was deeply troubled by a letter from Mary Monk of San Clemente. I am a Vietnam veteran who feels his service was at least in part about defending our individual rights (including our freedom of speech).

I was troubled because I felt it was an attempt by Ms. Monk to silence my desire to protest this war; at the same time I don’t want a repeat of war protesters who blamed the soldiers for the war. I was called “baby killer” when I wore my uniform in public during my service in 1969 and 1970 (something I was required to do when traveling). I underwent treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder in 1990, and as the psychologist explained to me, this occurred because of the frustration of the protesters who didn’t feel their attacks of government were doing any good, so they substituted their hostility from the government to the soldier. I don’t want that to be the experience of Ms. Monk’s grandson, but she should understand that I have the right to protest a war that is certainly suspect as to motive.

She further says of her grandson, “He is convinced he is doing the right thing.” So was I, but I was wrong! Not for serving my country, but that wasn’t what the Vietnam War was about. Again, if he is right or wrong isn’t the point; we need to honor and pray for our servicemen. Mary Monk should point out to her grandson that support for our servicemen is not dependent on the popularity of the war and that part of his service is the defense of the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, which includes the right of citizens to protest the actions of our government.

Mary Monk shouldn’t feel like she is the only one out there with this problem, nor should her grandson; my own son is an Air Force captain and C-130 pilot.

Tom Jones

San Clemente