RULES OF ENGAGEMENT!

Submitted by Ron (United States), Sep 25, 2006 at 07:22

As I read a lot of these articles,I see that a lot of the readers and participating writers concerned about civilian casualties,and their point is well taken! As a Viet Nam vet, I feel it necessary to show the people of this forum another view from the soldier's perspective.

As an American living in a free democratic society,I had never had to view women and children as a threat to my life,until going into Viet Nam. Many soldiers were killed by seemingly 'innocent' women and children who were booby trapped with grenades and other explosive devices. Many American soldiers were killed while offering a toy or a candy bar to the children in this land.

I blame the press for their 'condone and condemn' process that gives the press in America control of the war,literally! Prior to the Viet Nam conflict,the news was full of pictures depicting the oppression in Viet Nam.The focus was upon the tragedy that had befallen the innocent women and children,and the other innocent people who were living under the harsh communist regime.These photos and documentries were used as a tool by the influential press to promote the war in Viet Nam.

After being sent to Viet Nam our soldiers were sent in to chase out the communists so that the oppressed people could live a normal life. It was during this time that I realized that our hands were literally tied behind our backs! Many times we were engaged and fired upon and yet were ordered not to return fire, depending on the circumstances! THEN when there were civilians killed, there were pictures splattered all over the television telling the world how awful the war was,and that we were killing innocent civilians!

One thing I have learned about war is that if you are in a strange country,sometimes you don't know who the enemy is. In Viet Nam, often times we could not tell the difference between an ARVIN or a Viet Cong. In Iraq we cannot tell the difference between an Iraqi civillian or an insurgent! How many lives do you suppose have been lost simply because many times soldiers were not allowed to return fire?

How does one discern the difference between an innocent Lebanese and a Hezbollah fighter?

I am not a warhawk, but I have seen war,and I wish that all wars could end and let peace rule supreme. I do not believe that any country, or religious belief, has the right to impose their belief on those who choose to believe differently. I do know that in real wars there is no regard for any form of life between countries who are seriously wanting to conquer another! If the Muslim nations ever seriously provoke China or Russia, do you honestly think that they would care how many innocent people are killed, if a nuclear weapon is utilized? I don't!

War is hell,innocent people die,not fair........but true!

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