VFW backs vet in trouble over protest

[cal04]

The nation's largest combat veterans group on Friday urged the military to "exercise a little common sense" and call off its investigation of a group of Iraq war veterans who wore their uniforms during anti-war protests.

"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," said Gary Kurpius, national commander of the 2.4 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars.

"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," Kurpius said.

Marine Cpl. Adam Kokesh had already received an honorable discharge from active duty before he was photographed in March wearing fatigues — with military insignia removed — during a mock patrol with other veterans protesting the Iraq war.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070602/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/military_protest_hearing

[SeattleGirl]

1. I'm actually rather surprised by this.

Seems to me that a number of times in the past, they have blasted vets for not being Bushbots. Or am I thinking of another group?

Anyway, I'm glad they are standing up for Kokesh. The fact that the Marines want to "re-discharge" him as less than honorable is sickening.

[Edweird]

3. You might be thinking of the american legion.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

2. Looks like they are beginning to wake up

this is a good thing

[Edweird]

4. I always understood that if they were "deactivated" by removing your name tag, they became

plain old clothes.