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Welcome Home at the University of Cincinnati

By Marty Webster

On Wednesday January 6, I was invited by a student group at the University of Cincinnati to show the video Sir, No Sir and moderate a discussion.

When I arrived that Wednesday evening, over 200 people had gathered at Swift Hall. The attendees were parents of active duty servicemen and women, professors, students and the usual assortment of people who attend such functions. They covered a political spectrum that ranged from Peaceniks and the progressive left to CPUSA to Maoists and Trotskyites. Most were certainly anti-war. All seemed to enjoy the video and a lively discussion followed. They invited me back next month to show Winter Soldier. I also received invitations to speak at the University of Kentucky and Northern Kentucky University.

However, there was a plant there. When someone asked a question about unethical recruiting practices a young gentleman from the National Guard jumped up with his prepared speech and thanked the Army for fulfilling its promise to provide him with a college education. A perk he stated that is available to all servicemen and women. He wondered why we were all so negative and why we failed to mention all of the good things that we have accomplished in Iraq. He said he couldn't wait to go back for another tour. I wondered if I should challenge this chap and debate him. But, no, something told me to wait and see what would develop. When asked several times during the question and answer period after the film to explain exactly what some of the "good things" were he could not respond. Parents of active duty personnel began to share their feelings and others spoke of the misrepresentations of the recruiters. As the evening progressed many people shared with him and he began to hang his head as he listened. It seemed some sort of group consciousness had taken over. Reality was beginning to set in and he was becoming mildly shaken.

I went over to him and pointed to the wording on the VVAW banner, Honor the Warrior, Not the War. I extended my hand and welcomed him home. I gave him my card and suggested that if he ever wanted to talk to give me a call. I mentioned to him that as time went by reality would set in and he would begin to evaluate his actions in Iraq. Maybe it will be a newsreel, a movie, something someone says, it could be the weather or a smell that will remind him of Iraq. I saw a tear begin to well up in his eyes and I knew eventually what he would have to face. I embraced him and told him that I loved him and would be there for him if he ever needed to talk. VVAW Ohio Valley Regional member Jerry Smith saw what was happening and came over and joined the embrace. In an AA sense a seed had been planted. For me that gave the whole evening meaning.

VVAW must extend a hand to all our active duty servicemen and women along with our returning veterans, no matter what their status, and for that, I am responsible. Most individuals, whatever the reason they enlist, do not understand the totality and consequences of serving in the Armed Forces. Honor the Warrior does not mean to honor their actions, but, to stand by him/her when the result and reactions to their actions begin to creep into their lives and reality manifests itself as PTSD. We welcome them home. We do not judge their original intentions. Originally most of us felt our intentions were honorable. We let them know they are not alone and we honor them as human beings and help to restore their dignity as human beings.

I went home that night and as I usually do, listened to protest songs and reviewed the evenings activities. However, that night, as I thought about how the Vietnam war has totally altered my life and the lives of many of my friends, of how so much has been taken from me I began to consider the looks on the faces of those to whom I have had the privilege of extending the hand of VVAW, and I began to realize that I have been given so much. And for the first time in many years, for one split second, the world almost made sense.

All gave some, some gave all.