We thank them for their willingness to take the oath and serve.  If they act
and want to share their impressions and opinions about aspects of what that
has meant and/or what it means as well as whether or not they agree with the
President's and his administration's decision to attack and occupy Iraq, we
can listen, share our agreement or disagreement without imposing our belief
in an argumentative, trying-to-win-them over manner.

Above all, please honor and thank them for their service.

Sam Conant (USN, USNR, USAR, VT-ANG Retired)
84 Westy Owner
Colchester, Vermont
----- Original Message -----
From: "Geza Polony" <gezapolony@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2007 4:04 PM
Subject: Re: Marine Corps Birthday today

> Those of us who believe recent wars to be counterproductive to American
> interests are put in a bind on days like this: While we appreciate the
> bravery and self-sacrifice of those who put themselves in harm's way, we
> believe the wars they fought were mistakes, and so feel conflicted
> expressing gratitude. If everyone had refused to fight the purposeless,
> misguided war in Iraq, for example, we would not be be faced with the
> disaster we are in now. The decision to begin this war was not made by
> 18-year- old high schoolers from Kentucky or wherever, yet without them it
> could not have been fought. How do you thank those who have unknowingly
> precipitated a catastrophe?