To the editor: In May 1967 I was finishing my surgical internship in New York City when I was drafted into the Army. I spent 10 days at Camp Pendleton and then was flown to Vietnam, where I became a Marine Corps battalion surgeon. (“Do not denigrate pro-Palestinian university protests by claiming that protests against the Vietnam War were counterproductive,” Opinion, May 3)
When I returned to California in 1968, anti-war protests were all the rage. If they saw me in public in my uniform, they would point me out and, in some cases, even harass me. This happened to many troops returning from their nightmarish experiences in combat.
Remember, many of us were drafted, not enlisted. These local demonstrations had a profoundly negative impact on the troops returning home. After a year of fighting and hardship for our country, we were accused of atrocities and misconduct by citizens unrelated to what we had experienced.
I weighed 180 pounds when I went to Vietnam and 150 when I returned home. Facing undeserved contempt was our welcome home. That experience was never forgotten by those who served.
In fact, the first stranger to say, “Thank you for your service” was a patient's wife in 1998. Praising the protests without considering the consequences is shortsighted.
Stuart Fisher, MD, Los Angeles
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To the editor: Thanks to columnist Robin Abcarian for responding to those who try to trivialize the relevance of anti-war protests on college campuses.
They demand that their schools get rid of Israel and stop supporting its war machine. The Gaza solidarity camps spread across the country are, in fact, reminders of the turbulent events of more than five decades ago.
More than half a century apart, the roots of both displays of defiance remain the same.
Protests then denounced the arrogance and lies of the American establishment about the Vietnam War. Today they are against the United States' blatant support for promoting Israel's genocide in the Gaza Strip. The demonstrations in both cases represent a powerful and unified resistance to injustice, oppression and dehumanization.
Smear tactics are an old game in politics. Who can forget the Fast Boat Veterans for Truth's dirty campaign against 2004 Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry?
Abdul-Majeed Azad, Columbus, Ohio
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To the editor: Abcarian hopes that the pro-Palestinian protests will be followed by “long-term positive change.” At this point, I have doubts.
What really worries me is the possibility that the protesters will help pave the way for the election of former President Trump, who is certainly no lover of the Palestinian people.
A common theme among protesters is disgust toward President Biden. Many have declared that they will not vote for him. I'm worried they'll bring chaos to the Democratic National Convention in August.
The demographics of college students, along with the campaigns of third-party candidates Jill Stein, Cornel West and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., could tip the balance in a very close race. Woe to us and to the world if that happens!
Lloyd Wright, cypress
