Posted on 08/25/2006 2:43:32 PM PDT by george76
Nine veterans groups in California are criticizing 1st Lt. Ehren Watada for his decision to disobey deployment orders to Iraq.
Watada is trying to "make himself a martyr and a hero," said Robert M. Wada, a charter president of the Japanese American Korean War Veterans.
He said Watada's actions disrespect a legacy of military service by Japanese-American soldiers dating back to World War II.
"No Japanese-Americans did anything like that and that is why Japanese-Americans are so upset," Wada said.
"He is doing something that has never been done by Japanese-Americans."
The groups expressed their outrage at Watada in a public statement Monday.
Watada, 28, a graduate of Hawaii Pacific University and Kalani High School, refused to deploy to Iraq on June 22 with his unit based at Fort Lewis, Wash. He is now awaiting the finding of a hearing held last week that could lead to his court-martial on charges of conduct unbecoming of an officer, missing troop movement and contempt toward officials.
"No one refused to go just because they didn't believe in the war," Wada said. "We went to Korea, and we didn't know what the hell we were there for. ... But nobody refused to go."
But Bob Watada, the lieutenant's father, said his son is grateful for the veterans who fought in previous wars and he isn't dishonoring their legacy.
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
His dad is apparently a peace corp guy.
Plus alot more.
When does he get shot?
from army.mil....
The wordings of the current oath of enlistment and oath for commissioned officers are as follows:
"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God." (Title 10, US Code; Act of 5 May 1960 replacing the wording first adopted in 1789, with amendment effective 5 October 1962).
"I, _____ (SSAN), having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God." (DA Form 71, 1 August 1959, for officers.)
I hope that all of you out there realize that the above oath is clearly not politically correct. See, it's that "So help me God." part that's the trouble. The ACLU will clearly focus on that as an 'establishment' of a particular brand of religion. The guy's off SCOTT!
Watada, haji wo shire! (You're a disgrace Watada!)
Japan * ping * (kono risuto ni hairitai ka detai wo shirasete kudasai : let me know if you want on or off this list)
The center is home to several memorials honoring fallen veterans, including Watada's uncle, who died in the Korean War.
The groups opposing Watada include the Japanese American Korean War Veterans, Americans of Japanese Ancestry WWII Memorial Alliance, five Veterans of Foreign Wars posts, and American Legion post and the Nisei Veterans Coordinating Council of Southern California.
free education, commission, retirement bennies..that's why he joined..then he found out he might have to give his life and changed his mind..
Thanks, for the ping....DT
Now he can be branded, a real coward....like Sen. "French Poodle" Kerry.
At the very least, Kerry did go into combat, before he went against it (and disgraced himself back home).
Just so you know, the inquiry has been completed and established that there is evidence of violations of the UCMJ. The findings have been forwarded to the base commander recommending a courts martial.
True :)
....and FWIW, He was first stationed way-out off the VN coast, but he couldn't take any photos w/ his camera.
1 semester of military law is a requirement at Annapolis
Thank you.
he should go commit sepku
sepku was an act of honor...
Seppuku as capital punishment
While the voluntary seppuku described above is the best known form and has been widely admired and idealized, in practice the most common form of seppuku was obligatory seppuku, used as a form of capital punishment for disgraced samurai, especially for those who committed a serious offense such as unprovoked murder, robbery, corruption, or treason. The samurai were generally told of their offense in full and given a set time to committ seppuku, usually before sunset on a given day. If the sentenced was uncooperative, it was not unheard of for them to be restrained, or for the actual execution to be carried out by decapitation while retaining only the trappings of seppuku; even the short sword laid out in front of the victim could be replaced with a fan. Unlike voluntary seppuku, seppuku carried out as capital punishment did not necessarily absolve the victim's family of the crime. Depending on the severity of the crime, half or all of the deceased's property could be confiscated, and the family stripped of rank.
Say WA? Evergreen State ping
FReepmail sionnsar if you want on or off this ping list.
Ping sionnsar if you see a Washington state related thread.
887. ART. 87. MISSING MOVEMENT
Any person subject to this chapter who through neglect or design misses the movement of a ship, aircraft, or unit with which he is required in the course of duty to move shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
888. ART. 88. CONTEMPT TOWARD OFFICIALS
Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
889. ART. 89 DISRESPECT TOWARD SUPERIOR COMMISSIONED OFFICER
Any person subject to this chapter who behaves with disrespect toward his superior commissioned officer shall be punished as a court-martial may direct. 809. ART. 90. ASSAULTING OR WILLFULLY DISOBEYING SUPERIOR COMMISSIONED OFFICER.
Any person subject to this chapter who-- >P? (1) strikes his superior commissioned officer or draws or lifts up any weapon or offers any violence against him while he is in the execution of his officer; or
(2) willfully disobeys a lawful command of his superior commissioned officer;
shall be punished, if the offense is committed in time of war, by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct, and if the offense is committed at any other time, by such punishment, other than death, as a court-martial may direct.
892. ART. 92. FAILURE TO OBEY ORDER OR REGULATION
Any person subject to this chapter who--
(1) violates or fails to obey any lawful general order or regulation;
(2) having knowledge of any other lawful order issued by any member of the armed forces, which it is his duty to obey, fails to obey the order; or
(3) is derelict in the performance of his duties; shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
933. ART. 133. CONDUCT UNBECOMING AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN
Any commissioned officer, cadet, or midshipman who is convicted of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
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