Iraq veteran speaks out against war

[Cadence]

Former Marine tells ND crowd his experience reshaped his perspective.

By PATRICK M. O'CONNELL
Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- Rob Sarra is not a pacifist.

Sometimes, the former U.S. Marine sergeant regrettably believes war is a necessary evil.

"But when military power is used, it better be for a ... good reason," Sarra said. "And this was not it."

Sarra is talking about the U.S.-led war in Iraq, where in 2003 he experienced firsthand both the carnage and delicate side of war, scenes ranging from body parts strewn in the street to a little Iraqi girl persistently tugging on his jacket after he had dropped the flower she so desperately wanted him to have moments earlier.

"The smell, the sight, it's something you never forget," Sarra told a packed lecture hall Tuesday night at the University of Notre Dame. "If people want to support this war and think it's a good thing, they need to take a second look."
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http://www.southbendtribune.com/stories/2004/11/17/local.20041117-sbt-LOCL-A1-Iraq_veteran.sto

[lovedems]

1. Will the SBVT go after this guy?

Isn't he doing what John Kerry did in the 70's that made him so evil today?

[delete_bush]

4. I posted before reading your post,

looks like we're thinking along the same line. I've wondered if the SBV's are going to fade away. If you believe Johnny Swift Boat, his only issue was Kerry, not Dems in general. Time will tell, maybe his love of calories will make this a moot point.

[delete_bush]

2. How long will it take for the righties

to start dismissing these guys as Kerry (circa 1971) wannabe's? I'm sure they're already looking for a neo-John O'Neill in training to debate them on some cable show.

[ET Awful]

3. Bah! He just wants to be president in 30 years.

It's all political maneuvering.

Thus spaketh the Freeper :)

[damntexdem]

5. Ah, what's he know?

After all, he was only over there -- not back here where the chickenhawks were making their plans.

And besides, Rummy was there first -- well, not fighting; but he was handing out weapons. Who knows Saddam better than his gun runner?

[Larkspur]

6. I'm an ND grad and am glad Sarra spoke at my alma mater

We need "I Support Iraq Veterans Against the War" bumper stickers.

[Cadence]

7. I like that

The day of the election I saw a young guy holding a sign that said Iraq war veterans for Kerry. It made me cry. First he was brave enough to go over there and fight then there he was bravely standing on that corner when not everyone was going to be supportive or even nice to him.

I would also like a bumper sticker "Save our Troops"