THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, April 24, 1995 TAG: 9504210018
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 32 lines
Regarding ``Voices of McNamara's war'' and the response from President Clinton (news, April 15): As a Vietnam veteran, I am appalled that anyone would think that President Clinton's activities during the Vietnam War were ``vindicated'' by Robert McNamara's book.
Ask any veteran if he supports war. As a helicopter pilot, I saw the folly firsthand and, in the course of a year, lost more than 25 comrades. These were fellow pilots and good Americans who were also opposed to the war.
Being opposed to something does not replace one's duty. I am certain that we all are opposed to taxes, especially as they are now, but that does not give us the right, or provide the necessary justification, to evade them.
While President Clinton has gone on to more noble tasks, there are millions of Americans who put their opposition aside and faced their duty as tens of millions before them had done. For 58,000 of them, McNamara's contrition is too late. It provides no measure of vindication except to those people who feel duty to one's country is an option. Such an amoral philosophy is not only a reflection of President Clinton's character but the character of anyone who would suggest that such actions could be ``vindicated.''
WILLIAM COURTNEY RYAN JR.
Norfolk, April 15, 1995 by CNB