Veterans say those seeking peace should devote their time to the Peace Corps, not protesting
Read and comment on this story from the Olympian on Veterans Jim Vettori and Paul Lambrix who are unified in their belief that the United States needs to band together now that hostilities have begun. They say that those who protest the war have a right to do so, but protests don't change their opinions. "Protesting doesn't do a damn bit of good," said veteran Jim Vettori. Lambrix and Vettori said those seeking peace should devote their time to something more constructive than protesting, such as the Peace Corps. Read the story at:
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Veterans weigh in on war, protests
Veterans Jim Vettori (left) and Paul Lambrix debate Wednesday evening at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 318 in Olympia. The two are unified in their belief that the United States needs to band together now that hostilities have begun.
Steve Bloom/The Olympian BY ALEX SUNDBY THE OLYMPIAN
The Olympian Online
When the nation entered its newest war Wednesday, people who have fought in years past declared support for their troops.
Veterans and their loved ones had gathered in the lounge at Olympia's Veterans of Foreign Wars post on Martin Way East to have a drink. They ended up watching as the second war against Iraq began.
The regulars weren't shy about expressing their views.
"I think I speak for most of the people here when I say we support our troops 100 percent," said Jackie Lininger of Olympia.
Lininger isn't a veteran; she's an auxiliary member because her father served in World War II.
"Anybody that loves their country are going to try and defend their country," said Paul Lambrix of Tumwater.
Lambrix, a Purple Heart recipient, fought in World War II and took part in the invasion of Okinawa in 1945, when he was 30.
At first, Lambrix didn't think war was the best path to follow this time.
"I wasn't in favor of the war," he said. He would rather have had the issue resolved through the United Nations.
His opinion changed when he became convinced that members of the Bush administration made their case that Saddam Hussein was hiding weapons of mass destruction.
The lounge's patrons said those who protest the war have a right to do so. But protests don't change their opinions.
"Protesting doesn't do a damn bit of good," said veteran Jim Vettori of Tumwater.
Vettori served in the Korean War and retired from the military in 1995. Like Lambrix, he's involved in local veterans activities.
Lambrix and Vettori said those seeking peace should devote their time to something more constructive than protesting, such as the Peace Corps.
Lambrix said he didn't want the Iraq situation to come to war. But he said he wants the troops to know veterans support them.
"We know war is wrong," he said.
He added that he fought in World War II for 210 days. He doesn't want anyone to experience what he did and said other veterans agree with him.
"Anyone that's been through it ... they don't want any more of it," he said.
Lambrix shared a view few Americans would disagree with, whether or not they support the attack on Iraq: "We hope it's a short one." Click on a link below for more stories on PCOL
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