[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 42 (Monday, March 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E480]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          A VETERAN'S OPINION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. NICK SMITH

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 17, 2003

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I would like to share with my 
colleagues a letter to the editor that was printed in The Manchester 
Enterprise, of Manchester, Michigan, written by one of my constituents, 
Larry Byrne, a Vietnam veteran.

     ``To the editor:
       `Manchester Area People for Peace,' . . . if not for using 
     the Manchester name in your group's cause, I'd never taken 
     the time to write this article.
       I know as a Marine Corps Sergeant serving two hours of duty 
     in Vietnam, my views may be slightly different from those 
     that are active in the `people for peace' camp. I do hope you 
     realize this doesn't mean the rest of us that enjoy living in 
     our peaceful community would rather live elsewhere, just 
     because we don't share your views on this serious matter.
       Peace is a state of mind that the majority of Americans 
     have the right and privilege to share. We should never take 
     it for granted nor believe that it didn't come at a very high 
     cost. Hundreds of thousands of men and women gave their lives 
     so that we could live in peace.
       Our country has made its mistakes throughout its history 
     when it comes to war. Maybe we should have helped remove a 
     crazed paperhanger much earlier than we did, but as Pearl 
     Harbor was bombed they talked peace.
       Maybe we should have not been drawn into the Vietnam 
     `crisis.' I was sent to Vietnam after some 35,000 Americans 
     gave their lives doing what their country requested of them. 
     I was only 19 at the time and I'll never forget discussing 
     with other Marines the hurt and anger we'd feel when we would 
     read the Stars & Stripes newspaper. Articles and pictures 
     showing our fellow Americans protesting back home only seemed 
     to demoralize us and strengthen our enemy. This brings us to 
     current events. Does anyone really believe Iraq's hostile 
     government or any terrorist organizations would not let us 
     live in peace if not for the threat of war? Therefore, it 
     seems this great nation of ours with all its flaws has been 
     give the role of `peacekeeper.' To those of you don't like 
     this position for our country, I ask . . . to whom do we give 
     it? Germany would have gladly taken the role of 60 years ago, 
     but now they just want to direct the leaders.
       Japan, like Germany, somewhat graciously relinquished the 
     role and decided to build better cars.
       Canada--just joking, eh?
       From France, a newspaper ad: `French military rifle for 
     sale. Never fired, dropped once.'
       United Nations? Please, the UN has proven totally 
     ineffective with the Iraq situation.
       On the other hand, what if nobody did anything? I don't 
     know if isolationism could work in our small world today, but 
     if we were all willing to give up a lot, who knows?
       A new song came out called, ``Have you Forgotten.'' I 
     suggest as you're walking on the bridge with your peace signs 
     you listen to it. Who knows, you may learn something. By the 
     way, don't try this in Tieneman Square.
       Personally and perhaps most of us that served in our 
     country's military, especially in Vietnam, would appreciate 
     you not using our town's name of Manchester to promote your 
     ideas. Again, I respect your rights and privileges to do so, 
     but don't draft me by name association to be a participatant 
     in your point of view.
       Da Nang, 1969 or Manchester 2003--strong believes don't 
     change . . . you're hurting us and helping them.''

  Mr. Speaker, I commend Mr. Byrne for writing this letter.

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