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 ...
I don't think so in this case. He joined after 9-11. He had to know the possibilities when he joined. Not that almost anyone, especially someone getting a commission, wouldn't know that anyway. It's a big decision, full of those sorts of weighty factors. Also there's a big difference between making it at 18 and making it at 21 or 22.
His father is big left wing politico, IOW, he's a Red Diaper Baby, with plenty of money and good prospects in civilian life, at a government job if nothing else. He likely wanted to "make a statement".
Well thats even more impressive...for a semester's worth of training, you would have made your professors at the academny proud.
Clowns like this just really make me mad. I think that what makes me more angry, though, is that he'll be held up like a trophy by the left and not only with he break the oath he swore, but he'll be used as a propaganda tool to beat down our REAL men further. Bastards.
Excellent!
This group of loyal Americans will cut him off at his traitors knees if he tries to use the race card as a reason for his desertion.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.