VFW Emphasizes Official Position on Kokesh Situation
WASHINGTON, June 3, 2007--Much is being made of our news release [VFW to Corps: Don’t Stifle Freedom of Speech] last Friday on protecting the free speech rights of demonstrators against the war in Iraq as partnering with Mr. Adam Kokesh in his argument against the Marine Corps leadership and as the VFW now supporting the anti-war movement. Neither premise is correct.
Our release and my statements were simply espousing what we felt was a stretching of the regulations by the Marine Corps concerning Mr. Kokesh’s partial wearing of military camouflage clothing as a retaliatory measure. By doing so, it is our belief that it is a form of first amendment rights suppression. We see little difference between what Mr. Kokesh was doing than that of individuals though while in coats and ties, are leaders of a pack of retired generals (including Marines) appearing regularly on Sunday talk shows strongly condemning the war in Iraq. Retired military certainly have at least an equal status under the Uniform Code of Military Justice as does individuals in the Individual Ready Reserve, as Mr. Kokesh is presently classified.
Our position cannot extend to a support of Mr. Kokesh’s overall actions, particularly his correlating vehement attacks on the leadership of the Marine Corps. We believe those actions to be repugnant and rather sophomoric. The Marine Corps has the right, indeed obligation, to investigate whether Mr. Kokesh used inappropriate and disrespectful language in written correspondence to the leadership’s inquiries and, if the allegation proves true, to commence pertinent disciplinary proceedings on that issue.
Friday’s news release also must not be interpreted as supporting any facet or organization of the anti-war movement. The VFW’s position on the War on Terrorism has been clear and continues to be unwavering – we believe you cannot support our troops without supporting their mission. This is unequivocally outlined in our national resolution 406 [listed below]
Gary L. Kurpius
VFW Commander-in-Chief
Resolution No. 406: SUPPORT THE WAR IN IRAQ
WHEREAS, we support the Commander-in-Chief in his efforts to prosecute the global war on terrorism: and
WHEREAS, the war in Iraq is part of that effort; and
WHEREAS, the war in Iraq is considered the centerpiece and front line in the war of terror; and
WHEREAS, United States armed forces should remain in Iraq in sufficient numbers until Iraqi forces can provide security for their nation; and
WHEREAS, a strategy to announce a withdrawal date or rigid timetable will be exploited by the insurgency, giving them a timetable to execute patience and intensify their efforts after U.S. military forces leave; and
WHEREAS, if U.S. military forces withdraw from Iraq before victory is achieved, that nation state will become a haven for terrorist activity, which likely includes planning and carrying out attacks against America, its allies and citizens at home and abroad; and
WHEREAS, it is critical that the U.S. succeed in Iraq, which will result in stability and security in the region; and
WHEREAS, U.S. armed forces and coalition partners are making significant progress in defeating the Iraq insurgency, rebuilding the Iraq infrastructure (i.e., schools, hospitals, water, sewerage and power generating facilities, etc.), and are greatly appreciated by the Iraqi people; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that we support the Commander-in-Chief and the brave men and women fighting the war in Iraq, as a matter of security for the American people, until victory is achieved, defined as Iraqi forces being solely capable of securing their nation.
