Ex-POW apologizes for 'poor choice of words'

CNN ^ | Oct. 19, 2003 | AP

[UWVMountaineer]

Ex-POW apologizes for 'poor choice of words'

Sunday, October 19, 2003

ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- Former prisoner of war Ron Young apologized Saturday for his "poor choice of words" in criticizing in a newspaper interview the mission that ended with his capture in Iraq.

Young did not deny telling the Douglas County Sentinel, "We kind of got sent on a suicide mission, more or less." However, he said the comment was taken out of context and did not convey what he meant to say.

The interview was published in Wednesday's edition of the newspaper.

Young and co-pilot David Williams of Orlando, Florida, were shot down over Iraq in an Apache helicopter on March 23 and held for three weeks before they were released.

Young told the newspaper the Army did not properly use the Apache helicopters on the mission, and the battalion commander should not have been flying at the front of the mission.

In a statement sent to The Associated Press, Young said the story "did not convey the pride I felt serving my country, nor did it convey the respect I have for the Army and for the leadership under which I served."

Added Young: "I regret that some of the opinions I expressed during the interview did not adequately reflect my true feelings, and I apologize for my poor choice of words. I wish to go on the record to affirm that I am proud to have served my Army and my nation."

Young told the paper he and Williams are planning a book about their experience.

[mystery-ak]

When will they learn to stop talking to the press...the media is not their friends.

[leadpenny]

Hey, AP and CNN! It's CWO Young and CWO Williams to you.

[UWVMountaineer]

Young did not deny telling the Douglas County Sentinel, "We kind of got sent on a suicide mission, more or less." However, he said the comment was taken out of context and did not convey what he meant to say.

Gee, a former POW gives an interview and his comments are taken out of context to make him appear to be condemning the Army. Sounds familiar. Now where have I heard about that before?

Young told the paper he and Williams are planning a book about their experience.

Writing a book? I guess they are "profiteers" and "media hounds cashing in on deaths of others?" I seem to recall those accusations about a certain other ex-POW who wrote a book.

[milemark]

October 19, over 2 weeks before the Lynch misquotes, and no bashing of these 2 while Lynch is lynched. Selective hatred.

[ExSES]

In a statement sent to The Associated Press, Young said the story "did not convey the pride I felt serving my country, nor did it convey the respect I have for the Army and for the leadership under which I served."

You can absolutely COUNT ON the fact that the media will only use whatever "snippets" of your interview suit their preconceived "story line"! Having spent hours of time being "interviewed" only to see my comments presented totally out of context on a number of occasions, one learns to very carefully "plan" one's responses to questions. Even then, you can see yourself quoted in print as having said something you did not!

Having had Andy Warhol's "15 minutes of fame" several times in various media settings (including 60 Minutes, 20-20, and the various national newspapers and magazines) over my career, I have learned to totally distrust the media!!!

[jaykay]

No, you don't understand FR logic: If you're Jessica Lynch and you do a book, you are evil and profiting from the deaths of your fellow soldiers. If you are any other soldier, you are a good capitalist following the American way.

[Halleck]

I hope CWOs Young and Williams didn't go skinny dipping down there in Georgia. I think I hear Larry Flynt's squeaky wheels headin' thataway.

[Halleck]

Most of those who view the headline "Ex-POW apologizes for 'poor choice of words' will assume it's about Jessica Lynch. Many will likely post Lynch hate without ever reading the article and finding out who/what it's actually about.

[Vigilantcitizen]

"When will they learn to stop talking to the press...the media is not their friends."

From the article:

"Young did not deny telling the Douglas County Sentinel, ..."

I agree with you to a point, but being a longtime Douglas county resident myself and knowing that terms like the press, media, and journalism should be used very loosely when describing the Douglas county Sentinel, I can see where CWO Young might have unknowingly committed this indescretion without having the intent of bashing the Army or his superiors.

The simple fact that CNN found this in the little Sentinel shows they were trolling for the story looking for a bask the military angle.

[Vigilantcitizen]

bask=bash.

Dang fog of early morning pre-caffiene saturation.

[FreedomPoster]

Ping.

[mystery-ak]

Thanks for clarifying that...I always give soldiers the benefit of doubt until they prove otherwise.

[muawiyah]

Just who are these worthless people who demand perfection in speech on the part of our brave warriors?

In the old days this kind of nonsense criticism would have gotten you tossed over the city walls.

[Vigilantcitizen]

You Know I'm an early bird....:)

See #10. But thanks for the ping anyway.

[FreedomPoster]

>>Having had Andy Warhol's "15 minutes of fame" several times in various media settings . . . I have learned to totally distrust the media!!!

I've had more like 45 seconds, total, from two different FReeps, and even I can see that.

[Vigilantcitizen]

"Thanks for clarifying that...I always give soldiers the benefit of doubt until they prove otherwise."

You're welcome sir. I figured you'd appreciate the clarification, being a soldier yourself.

Thank you for your service.

[FreedomPoster]

Dang - barely awake here, shoulda looked, shoulda figured. ;-) Was up uncharacteristicly late here.

[mystery-ak]

LOL....it's yes ma'am, not sir....Im a soldier's wife...same thing almost....LOL

[#3Fan]

This is the first I heard of this. If Lynch would've said something like this, good gosh, the Lynch-bashers would've called for a witch trial. lol

My appreciation goes to CWO Young and CWO Williams for their service and their sacrifices for our country.