Replies to post #207 on SONS and DAUGHTERS of BBCMF War Veterans of All Se (VETS)

[NovoMira]

Hundreds turn out for annual Veterans Picnic

Sunday, September 23, 2007
By Lucas K. Murray

HARRISON TWP. As the nation remains divided over the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan and the best way to end the war, the collective voices of veterans have been some of the strongest supporters of men and women in harm's way.

Hundreds of veterans turned out to the annual Veterans Picnic at the 4-H Fairgrounds Saturday in Mullica Hill and while the backing of the troops was unwavering, their takes on America's latest conflict varied.

Leonard McCabe, who served in the Navy for 20 years shortly after World War II, said the difficulty in combat in Iraq lies in that Americans are fighting in a guerilla war.

"They don't know who the enemy is," McCabe, of Deptford, said standing next to his prized 1942 Ford jeep.

"What they should do is take everyone down and separate them later. Just go in and clean everybody's clocks. That's it."

He also had choice words for Washington power brokers.

"If they let the military do what they're supposed to do, it's okay," McCabe said, "but get those ... politicians out of there."

Bob Cassel, of Mantua Township, who served in the 94th Infantry under General Patton, offered up a more diplomatic approach of continued communication with tribal leaders in Iraq as a way to bring peace to the area.

"Understanding their ways," Cassel said. "I think that's the way to go, and it will ultimately lead to success."

Sgt. First Class Robert Hahn of Glassboro was days away from retirement after 29 years in the Army Reserve before he was given orders to ship out to the Middle East. Hahn is set to return there in the next few months.

"You don't hear about how many schools have opened or about how many people now have water and electric," Hahn said. "People over there are much better off than they were before."

Hahn, who said he gets his news from media outlets like Fox News and the Stars and Stripes newspaper, a Department of Defense subsidized publication, criticized a biased spin he sees being put on negative matters concerning the war.

"You never hear anything positive about what's going on over there," Hahn said. "Everybody thinks that the soldiers go over there and just get whacked."