Letters to the Editor

Heartened by DA resolution on military recruiters

May 10, 2007 4:57 PM

To the Editor:

In response to Jerry Tennenbaum’s letter in the April 12 issue, I must say that unlike Jerry I was heartened by the Delegate Assembly resolution toban military recruiters from the schools.

Like Jerry, I am also a veteran. I joined the Navy in 1956. I am sure that those who voted for this resolution do not believe that the members of the armed services are “evil” or not “honorable” people. On the contrary, we believe that the best way to support our troops is to bring them home.

According to a Zogby poll, 72 percent of our solders want the U.S. to leave Iraq. Jerry is right when he asks, “If there were no war in Iraq, would the resolution have passed?” The majority of teachers as well as the American public believe that the U.S. should not have started the war and that now that we are there, we should start getting out.

Jerry goes on to say that “no one is forcing the students to join the military.” He then admits, “I never would have graduated college if the GI Bill hadn’t assisted me.” He says that many of his friends were able to get jobs in civilian life with the help of the military. Isn’t this a sad commentary on our system if many youngsters feel that the only way to go to college or to get a job is to risk their lives in the war?

That is why recruiters have more luck in schools that are in poor neighborhoods. To allow recruiters access to vulnerable students, many of whom are not old enough to realize all the consequences of their enlistment, is to abdicate our responsibility as teachers to look after the well-being of youngsters entrusted to us.

Tom Siracuse, retired