thedrifter
11-13-07, 07:45 AM
Fathers of 2 slain troops protest Iraq war
By Ron Jenkins - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Nov 13, 2007 7:59:49 EST
OKLAHOMA CITY — Two Oklahoma men whose sons were killed in Iraq criticized U.S. involvement in the war during a small protest Monday at the state Capitol.
Warren Henthorn of Choctaw and John Scripsick of Wayne praised veterans of all wars for their service.
But they said the Iraq war should never have happened and it is past time to end the United States’ participation.
“This thing has lasted longer than World War II, and there doesn’t seem to be any end in sight,” Henthorn said.
Henthorn’s son, 25-year-old Jeffrey Henthorn, was an Army specialist killed during his second tour of Iraq in 2005.
Scripsick’s 22-year-old son, Bryan Scripsick, was a Marine corporal who died in September while engaged in combat in Anbar Province.
Over the years, Scripsick said, veterans’ efforts to defend freedom have led to the United States winning respect around the globe, but that has ebbed because of the war in Iraq.
Both men said they were opposed to the invasion of Iraq.
Also speaking out against the war was Dr. Katherine Scheirman of Oklahoma City, who retired as an Air Force colonel in 2006. She was chief of medical operations at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany, which has treated most of the soldiers injured in Iraq.
She said veterans who served in Iraq have shown courage, as have those who are speaking out against the war.
“It doesn’t take courage to be like Rush Limbaugh or Bill O’Reilly or Richard Cheney and talk tough and warmonger when you haven’t put yourself or a member of your family on the line,” Scheirman said, referring to radio and television personalities and the vice president.
Monday’s protest involved 18 sign-carrying opponents of the war.
Jeri Reed of Norman said her son, Cody Comancho, and other veterans have shown bravery and done their duty in Iraq, but were not being treated with honor by their country. She called the war illegal.
Justin C. Cliburn, a Cameron University student and regional coordinator of Iraq Veterans Against the War, said he told leaders at a national conference of the organization that their efforts will not succeed “until you win the heartland.”
Cliburn said he knows there is strong sentiment against the war in the military, but many are reluctant to speak out. “I’m here to bring the veterans out of the woodwork,” he said.
Nathaniel Batchelder, a Vietnam veteran and director of the Peace House in Oklahoma City, said leaders are being disingenuous when they say the war is not open-ended. He said the United States is building the largest embassy in the world and a dozen bases in Iraq.
Ellie
By Ron Jenkins - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Nov 13, 2007 7:59:49 EST
OKLAHOMA CITY — Two Oklahoma men whose sons were killed in Iraq criticized U.S. involvement in the war during a small protest Monday at the state Capitol.
Warren Henthorn of Choctaw and John Scripsick of Wayne praised veterans of all wars for their service.
But they said the Iraq war should never have happened and it is past time to end the United States’ participation.
“This thing has lasted longer than World War II, and there doesn’t seem to be any end in sight,” Henthorn said.
Henthorn’s son, 25-year-old Jeffrey Henthorn, was an Army specialist killed during his second tour of Iraq in 2005.
Scripsick’s 22-year-old son, Bryan Scripsick, was a Marine corporal who died in September while engaged in combat in Anbar Province.
Over the years, Scripsick said, veterans’ efforts to defend freedom have led to the United States winning respect around the globe, but that has ebbed because of the war in Iraq.
Both men said they were opposed to the invasion of Iraq.
Also speaking out against the war was Dr. Katherine Scheirman of Oklahoma City, who retired as an Air Force colonel in 2006. She was chief of medical operations at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany, which has treated most of the soldiers injured in Iraq.
She said veterans who served in Iraq have shown courage, as have those who are speaking out against the war.
“It doesn’t take courage to be like Rush Limbaugh or Bill O’Reilly or Richard Cheney and talk tough and warmonger when you haven’t put yourself or a member of your family on the line,” Scheirman said, referring to radio and television personalities and the vice president.
Monday’s protest involved 18 sign-carrying opponents of the war.
Jeri Reed of Norman said her son, Cody Comancho, and other veterans have shown bravery and done their duty in Iraq, but were not being treated with honor by their country. She called the war illegal.
Justin C. Cliburn, a Cameron University student and regional coordinator of Iraq Veterans Against the War, said he told leaders at a national conference of the organization that their efforts will not succeed “until you win the heartland.”
Cliburn said he knows there is strong sentiment against the war in the military, but many are reluctant to speak out. “I’m here to bring the veterans out of the woodwork,” he said.
Nathaniel Batchelder, a Vietnam veteran and director of the Peace House in Oklahoma City, said leaders are being disingenuous when they say the war is not open-ended. He said the United States is building the largest embassy in the world and a dozen bases in Iraq.
Ellie