Posted by peez at 2/7/07 10:12 p.m.
The Watada story takes me to levels of anger of which I can not even comprehend myself. First of all a little background on myself, I am an enlisted Sailor with 16 years in the military, all of which has been spent on submarines. In the Navy I am considered a Senior Enlisted Advisor. Military personnel are to take orders from their superiors (officers) without question. If a Sailor or Soldier questions his superior in extremis it could mean serious injury or even death to all those we are sworn to lead and protect. Watada knowingly took an oath, this oath:
"I Ehren Watada, having been appointed a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army under the conditions indicated in this document, do accept such appointment and do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter, so help me God."
And he failed to execute it.
It sickens me to think of this man as someone I am supposed to salute and follow his orders. Sorry not in my Navy, Military, or in My UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
He deserted the ones he was supposed to lead.I hope the memory of those that have died in his place, will haunt him for the rest of his life.
"Pride Runs Deep" but never away