OPINION:
I recently read in The Washington Times that Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has called for the Marine Corps to open combat jobs to women (“Ray Mabus, Navy secretary, wants Marine Corps infantry and special operations open to women,” Web, Sept. 2). I am a veteran who was lucky enough to have been born at a time that rendered me too young for World War II and Korea and too old for every war since. My youngest son, however, led a cavalry unit in the Gulf War.
I do remember World War II and Korea. I remember the Normandy landings, the Marines landing at Tarawa and the desperate Battle of the Bulge. I don’t know whether Secretary Mabus is a veteran or whether he has seen the films of dead, bloated young Marines rolling around in the surf on invasion beaches, pictures of soldiers living in frozen fox holes with rags wrapped around thier feet and heads, or Marines fighting their way up the side of Mount Surabachi with flame throwers strapped to their backs. Then there is the question of hygiene and other personal rquirements in the field, which are numerous and obvious.
I realize there is now a shortage of men volunteering to enlist in the armed services, and we can thank our politicians for that. I am also fully aware that there are numerous jobs that can be more than adequately performed by young women. However, after 77 years of living on this Earth and witnessing the events that have occurred during my lifetime, I am absolutely certain that when girls are completing the U.S. Army Ranger School training course, something is whacko.
BERNARD L. MORNINGSTAR
Ijamsville, Md.
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