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One Year After
By Thomas D. Segel
September 12, 2002

"I was born on September 11, and so was one of my grand daughters. Forever there will be a lack of celebration on that day because of what they did." With those sad words, the grizzled Marine Sergeant Major started expressing his feelings one year after the terrorist attacks of that dark day.

Sid Parrish is only one of millions who devoted their lives to the defense of this nation. Like many, who are now among the retired military personnel of the country, he will also speak sharply about those things he feels are wrong. Like his peers, he also fails to adhere to the accepted media line about what is taking place in this country since the attacks. He says, "I am tired of hearing about monuments, payments to families and blaming the terrorists for everything that goes wrong from the conduct of the war to homeland security. If these people would quit pussy footing around and FIGHT the damn war, maybe attitudes could be changed."

Denny Shellabarger is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel. He too is discouraged one year after the attacks. "I feel betrayed by a government that spends billions on defense and misses the big ones. What did they miss? Perhaps it was the Marine barracks bombing, the Cobar Tower bombing, the Cole attack, or a couple of embassies in the east... Enough?"

He continues saying; "I have friends in Delta Force who would have loved to take out bin Laden and his pals, but nobody tasked them to do the job -- not the CIA or the president. Why not? Wouldn't you as president have been sick about all those bombings? How could you explain the inaction to families? Soldiers and civilian lives were lost needlessly and that is why I feel betrayed."

He also feels the people of September 11 died needlessly due to years of horrible leadership. Shellabarger feels a preemptive attack after the Marine barracks bombing could have saved us all the pain, which was inflicted later. "Heck, a blind man could see this attack coming. It still amazes me why there isn't a ground swell of people trying to find out why our government screwed up so completely."

Robert Taber looks at the county a year later and sees "Reporters assuming the roles of President, Secretary of Defense, and Secretary of State. Most members of the Senate and House of Representatives are spending a good portion of their time trying to manage the Executive Branch of our government instead of doing what they were elected to do, formulate and pass legislation recommended by the president."

Taber, a retired Air Force major, also sees no front line in this war against terrorism He feels that lack of daily casualty reports, the lack of tangible or observable evidence, the lack of military build up is creating uncertainty in the minds of citizens about how we are conducting this war.

One of our Navy retirees, who served as a Chief Petty Officer, feels much of the 9-11 hype is because the tragic event took place in New York. "I feel the media are making too much of the tragedy, " says Bill Bernie. " The Big Apple mystique adds to the hype. If this had taken place in Memphis, would it have received the same media blitz?"

Norm Hatch is a veteran Marine combat correspondent and has some sharp observations one-year later. "Even though the president has some relatively high poll standings because of the days around 9-11, he has slipped a little since then. I don't think those around him understand how to convey a message so it will do the most good and get the public to give the support he needs. I think he has been too secretive and his staff is incestuous in their methods and approach."

Hatch sees our leadership still has the "Big Army" mentality for its military solution. "Fighting 2000 diversified combatants is not the same as fighting three different armies, which we did in World War II", he says. "Our plan of attack must be similar to the plans of the 2000."

Most veterans and retired military personnel are outraged at the attack and would take their old uniforms out of the attic trunk at moments notice. This is because of their strong love of country and the branch in which they served. Their attitudes on the conduct of our government in the past -- and one year after the attacks, take on a different tone.

From out in Arizona retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant John Boring says, "Nothing has dampened my enthusiasm or patriotism. I'd report tomorrow if they could use me. Yes, and I would recommend military service to my sons. One did join the Corps. He still has concerns. "Do I think the war on terrorism is finished, absolutely not. And I am worried that we are entering a place and time when patriotism has waned, generally, throughout our nation. Like Desert Storm, I'm worried that we again won't go the distance."

Over in West Virginia, Don Holland, a retired Master Chief petty Officer and veteran of 30 years service says he faces a dilemma. "As career military personnel we are sworn to defend this country against all enemies, at the risk of our lives and at great personal sacrifice. However, we have done this in spite of the fact our government has broken the promises they made to us and betrayed us.

In Tennessee a retired Marine correspondent who also had two sons serve in the military, sees this as a time when everyone should step forward. Says Ed Evens; "I am one who believes that following high school all young people should have a choice of two years in the military service or two years in the Peace Corps. This would provide them the time they need to get their feet on the ground, learn good work ethics and learn something of the world outside their home towns."

Ed Jeffords is a retired Navy diver who has already volunteered to return to active duty. "If there is a chance for me to go and do something to defend this country and our people I am ready."

Over in Louisiana, Medal of Honor recipient Mike Clausen is angry at the defense efforts of our government. "Homeland Security is a joke, as is Airport Security. From the start they spent their time harassing old men and women and a few kids. The name of their game is control and harassment. I am not putting up with either." He sees no improvement now that security is under the control of government employees.

Many service personnel are angry about the huge monetary awards given to 9-11 survivors and the dependents of those who perished. They can understand modest insurance type awards, but feel huge settlements establish an unwise precedent. They view those attacks as acts of war -- and feel in wartime there are always civilian casualties.

Many wonder how we will respond as the war advances. Will the families of future civilian casualties be given similar awards? As we lose military personnel in later battles, should their survivors be given huge monetary payments? The present War on Terror is the first American war that could result in many civilian casualties. If they are to be financially compensated for the loss of loved ones, our uniformed personnel feel the same standards should be used for military families.

Along with these conflicting thoughts, there does seem to be a united tone among the military, one year after 9-11. There is consensus international terrorists are or will be striking anywhere and any place where the laws and religion of those countries are in conflict with their own radical beliefs.

Many of our military personnel feel there should be stronger support from other countries. All too often, they contend, we are used as the world's police force, even when other nations have important stakes in the game. They see us as playing a major role in the overall defense of our planet, but they do not believe we should be gladiators for the entire world.