During the past Memorial Day weekend, there was no shortage of World War II movies on television.
"I wonder why they make so many movies about World War II but not about the other ones," my roommate, a Vietnam veteran himself observed. I told him I thought that World War II was a popular topic because it was the last war in which the US participated that there was a sense of moral clarity.
An example of that moral clarity can be found in a World War II-era ad from Nash-Kelvinator.
"It's only when you get away from the U.S.A. that you find out what the shootin's really about and what you're fighting for. I learned from that Czech chap in London. The refuge, the nice old fellow who reminded me of Dad except for the maimed hands. I was dumb enough to ask about it. "I got that," he said, "for writing a book the Nazi's didn't like...'"
If the fictional airman featured in that long-ago advertisement had a grandchild, that grandchild might very well be like formal Marine Cpl. Adam Kokesh. And, any doting grandparent would be dismayed by his grandson's trials and tribulations.
Kokesh, an Individual Ready Reservist in the November Battery, 5th Battalion, 14th Regiment of the 4th Division based out of Pico Rivera, California, is a veteran of the Iraqi War. He had already received an honorable discharge from the Marine Corp when he decided to participate in an anti-war protest in Washington, DC in March. Kokesh was wearing fatigues that were stripped of all insignia when took part in the protest.
"He said he grew disillusioned with the war during his first tour, and now believes there is no way for the country to achieve the rule of law with a foreign military imposing martial law." (Source)
The Marine Corp's response was quick: Kokesh is to stand trial Monday on charges of violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice and Pentagon policy on the wearing of uniforms and being "disrespectful" to a superior officer. When the superior officer alerted Kokesh via a letter that Kokesh may have violated the policy on uniforms, the reservist reportedly responded with an obscenity.
If he is found guilty Kokesh could see his discharge status changed and suffer a loss of some benefits. He also might have to return $10,800 he had already received in benefits.
It is nothing less than astonishing to me that Kokesh could be charged with violating policy on uniforms. Uniforms like the one he wore to the protest are readily available in surplus stores. And while Kokesh may be required to show respect to a superior while serving in the Armed Forces, as a civilian he has no such obligation.
Clearly this is an effort designed to have a chilling effect on other Iraqi War vets who don't see this administration's goals in Iraq as feasible.
President Bush has told the American people repeatedly that he listens to the counsel of Generals on the ground when determining strategy in Iraq. But someone who actually is on the front lines of the War on Terror should be able to give an even more accurate assessment on how the fight is progressing.
The World War II advertisement made clear that we were fight overseas to help bring basic freedoms to countries that did not enjoy them under fascist rule.
Now, some sixty-odd years later those very freedoms are being eroded at home.