Posted on 12/31/2004 11:55:29 AM PST by Ellesu
"Klimkewicz joined the Marine s to earn money for college and to travel,..."
Very foolish, right there. One joins the Marines to kill people and break things, this guy should have gotten a job with a cruise ship line.
An anecdote....
When I got to Viet Nam, one one the men in the platoon was a CO, the medic; he was also not a draftee, he had volunteered to serve,
For a few months, he would not touch a weapon, even to hand one to the guy next to him.
Not one of us doubted his sincerity, or his courage; we had seen, all to often, his willingness to hang his butt out there when the chips were down.
After a while, he started to carry a pistol and a rifle. I asked him why he was armed, as it appeared to belie his faith.
His response was that he had an "obligation to protect the wounded", and he felt his beliefs allowed that.
He never had to fire his weapons, but I had no doubts he would have.
I have known a few CO's in the military, most served willingly, often in hazardous situations.
If the article is correct, this marine indicated a willingness to serve, just doesn't want to kill.
By contributimg to the overall effort, he would in fact, be part of the "death business"; how he would resolve that, I don't know.
Though I believe a contract is a contract, and damned sure he should have known what he was signing up for, I doubt many young men or women really understand what that means.
The commandment says do not commit murder it does not say do not kill. Also the verse is for peace on earth to men of good will.
He should request transfer into the Navy as a Medical Corpsman with the Marines.
The moron refused to participate in weapons training thinking that he'd get special consideration due to his self-proclaimed conscientious objector status.
Well at least he's a famous moron now.
I also have a very good friend who was a CO medic in Vietnam. He refused to carry a weapon but was often seen carrying excess gear for one exhausted buddy or another. He was finally blown out of Vietnam with granade fragments in his lungs. He was awarded a Bronze and Silver Star along with his Purple Hearts.
From Alvin York's speach right before WWII:
"This war is everybody's war. The sooner everybody is wholeheartedly behind it, the sooner it will be over. It will never be finished quick as long as we put more store by our private, personal, and selfish wants than our national liberty and democracy. And the way I see it, liberty and democracy are prizes that come only to people who fight to win them and then keep on fighting eternally to hold them."
I wish liberals had gotten behind the Iraq war. This would have saved hundreds of our soldiers' lives as the only reason the enemy is fighting us is because he sees our division.
Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.
Psalm 144
Adventists (anyone remember David Koresh?) have always been flakes. Or as their official history says, "up to the outbreak of the war Adventists, even in the United States, spoke of Hitler in positive terms as a fellow vegetarian concerned with matters of bodily hygiene." Yep, they sure tapped into what was important in a guy who wrote a book in the 1920s that described how he'd deal with the Jews. Here's the source of that quote, a
These were the same flakes that gave away all their posessions and climbed up on hills to be taken in by Jesus when their prophet said He was coming.
Jesus spoke to Roman soldiers, and never told them to lay down their swords. On the contrary, he implied that they could follow him and serve Caesar -- "for my kingdom is not of this world."
Anybody who's thinking about being a conscientious objector, needs to get that paperwork started right away. When somebody is handing you a rifle, you're too late.
d.o.l.
Criminal Number 18F
d.o.l.
Criminal Number 18F
I'm a little long in the tooth for active duty, but if called to serve, I will be there, uniformed with weapon in hand and the enemy in my sights.
Cowards aren't worth the flesh they're printed on.
I may disagree with him but I can't fault him.
I agree. This is no coward - clearing land mines in enemy territory while refusing to carry a weapon is not cowardice. I might not agree with it but I recognize that this young man has a sincere religious belief - one shared by the early Christians. For several centuries, early Christians would not lift a weapon under any circumstances.
I have read all the replies thus far and want to add my 2 cents.
First: Alvin York was DRAFTED into WW1. He did not sign up and then have a change of faith. He did not refuse to hold a rifle or practice with it.
TWO: Since when have Marines allowed their men to decide what duties they will and will NOT do? A Marine is a rifleman first and foremost.
I suspect this man knew this and is trying to get off easy but declaring his conversion of faith, knowing full well, the Marines cannot let him decide what duties he will and will not perform.
LAST: Just on the off chance (which I doubt) I am wrong, then he shouldn't complain about his treatment since he is being punished for his faith and should wear it as a "badge of honor". The fact that is making this public, pretty much kills this idea, so I think he is a fraud.
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