UNITED STATES: Vietnam resister jailed

Issue 

On January 11, Ernest McQueen, who served in the military for nearly two years until he left his unit in 1969, was arrested by police in Fort Worth, Texas. "The Marines are trying to send a message to their troops in Iraq that deserters will always be hunted down and prosecuted, even 40 years after they resist", said Tod Ensign, legal director of Citizen Soldier, a GI and veterans' rights advocacy group, according to the January 27 US Socialist Worker. McQueen said he was "gung-ho" about being a soldier when he enlisted at age 17. But then he learned of the 1968 My Lai Massacre, when US soldiers killed hundreds of Vietnamese villagers. He heard other stories from returning soldiers about the horrors of the war and said of his decision to join the army, "Wow. What have I done?" McQueen says he "just decided I didn't want to be a part of killing anybody. That's about as plain as I can say it." He asked: "What more can you do to me? I've lived a good life ... I don't think anybody that went to 'Nam can honestly come back and say, 'Yes, we did the right thing'. It was a mistake from day one, and the only people who don't want to admit it's a mistake is the politicians."

From Green Left Weekly, February 1, 2006.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.