Sanity Prevails

I disapprove of what you say,
but I will defend to the death your right to say it
--Voltaire (attributed by Beatrice Hall)
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VFW National Commander Gary Kurpius continues to surprise.

'The national commander of America’s oldest and largest organization of combat veterans is taking issue with an apparent attempt by the U.S. Marine Corps to bring administrative actions against three former Marines for their anti-war positions (VFW to Corps: Don't Stifle Freedom of Speech.)''

“This is about First Amendment rights and whether the military can discipline former servicemen who are in the inactive reserves,” said Commander Kurpius, who leads the 2.4 million-member VFW and their auxilliaries.

The three Marines, all three of whom had been honorably discharged following combat tours in Iraq, staged a protest against the war in Washington D.C. in March. The VFW further clarified their Friday comments on Marine Adam Kokesh here.

''An implied threat by the Marine Corps to lower their discharge ratings from honorable to general could negatively impact educational and other benefits they are eligible to receive from the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as future employment opportunities that require security clearances.

“We all know that people give up some individual rights when they join the military,” said Kurpius, a Vietnam veteran from Anchorage, Alaska, “but these Marines went to war, did their duty, and were honorably discharged from the active roles. I may disagree with their message, but I will always defend their right to say it,” he said.

“Trying to hush up and punish fellow Americans for exercising the same democratic right we’re trying to instill in Iraq is not what we’re all about,” he said. “Someone in the Marine Corps needs to exercise a little common sense and put an end to this matter before it turns into a circus.”

Thank you, Gary Kurpius, and please hang tough on your stance. Bravery, transparency and common sense could prevail after all in such an atmosphere.