On Army and poverty

I am writing in reference to your opinion article entitled “Aim low. . .in the Army,” published on September 26, 2000. I like many others on this island were deeply offended by your baseless ideas that were expressed in your article. Like many who have never served in the military, you attempt to speak from a throne that you do not belong on.

In my response I will attempt to kick you off that throne. Your column attempts to draw a link between poverty and U.S. military service, but you have no quantifiable evidence with which to back up your insupportable charges. If I were writing such an article and had no such background for the subject matter, I would at least attempt to interview those that actually serve or used to serve their country.

As far as this island is concerned and the mainland for that matter, you would find very few if any that would support your thesis. The massive logical misconception that you make is the fact that any activity can have many reasons why people choose to perform it.

Having served my country faithfully and honorably for more than a decade, I feel that I am a far better authority to comment on these matters then your paltry opinions. I also have gained many friends from the units I have served in, and the military schools that I have attended. Patriotism, valor and love for one’s country are not abstract concepts, but rather are committed values by those that choose to wear the uniform. National Anthems, Flags and Memorials mean something for those of us who served. We have a special calling. It is namely to protect our country, our loved ones, and our precious freedoms that you so enjoy.

Were you really serious in your statement because drill sergeants yell at you, and you have to get up at 3:00 a.m. (and that is the correct wake-up time during Basic Combat Training), that only desperate people join. I suppose that you have never made the Saipan-Guam-Honolulu morning connection, since you have to get up so early!

As for my own reasons, it is true that I also saw that in addition to fulfilling what I feel is my God-given role, that I will have benefits available to me. We all have our reasons for doing what we do. That does not mean that is why I joined, and the fallacy of your logic shows its distress in this analysis. The fact of the matter is that many, many wealthy people have served and continue to serve their country honorably.

Three of four of the elder Kennedy’s served their country, despite the fact that they came from one of America’s wealthiest families. One of them gave his life for his country during World War 11. General George S. Patton also came from one of the wealthiest families in Pasadena, California, yet he too served. Both U.S. Vice President Al Gore, and prominent movie director Oliver Stone came from wealthy privileged families yet they both enlisted in the U.S. Army and served tours in Vietnam. Even Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush also served his country by wearing the uniform, despite the fact his father was a congressman, and his grandfather was a senator.

Saipan is also graced with many distinguished veterans who faithfully and honorably served their country. Former Congressman Frank Cepeda, and former Public Works Secretary Martin Manglona both rose to the highest enlisted rank of sergeant major. Sergeant Major Manglona served as the sergeant major of U. S. Army Pacific, making him the number one ranking enlisted person in the largest (in terms of geography) Army territory anywhere in the world. Former Congressman Cepeda was a Vietnam veteran. Congressman David Apatang also served a very respectable active duty career in the U.S. Army before returning to Saipan for public service.

There are other examples on Saipan. Greg Sablan, son of a former congressman is a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve. His brother serves as an enlisted person on active duty. Clarence Tenorio, a grandson of Joeten was commissioned through ROTC at U.C. Berkeley and served on active duty as an armor officer. Major Ed Camacho (a dean at Northern Marianas College), whose grandfather owned the property where King Fisher golf course now sits has served on both active duty and in the U.S. Army Reserve. Did they have to serve in the U. S Military? Did they grow up in destitute poverty? Major Harry Blanco, the executive director of CJPA is deeply proud of his career and his service as a Gulf War veteran.

These are enlisted people and commissioned officers here on Saipan, none of which served for the “caste system” reason that you claim exists in the U.S. Military.

Also getting back to my original point that you were not qualified to write this article and should have done your homework better. I, on the other hand, am qualified to comment on your journalism abilities because prior to getting commissioned, my military occupational specialty as an enlisted soldier was as an Army journalist.

I have served as an editor-in-chief of two publications in the civilian world. Ironically, you didn’t have to even contact any of us, but could have walked down your own hall and asked questions of your publisher John Del Rosario, who also served as an Army journalist. Could it be that you are just jealous, and wrapped up inside your own inferiority complex, because you didn’t have the courage to potentially commit yourself to die for what you believe in.

I am reminded of the quote “I will disagree to my death with what you say, but will fight to my death your right to say it.” All I ask is that what you write be fair, balanced and educated. Your opinion was neither of these.

Allan Dollison

CPT, FA, USAR

PMB 125 PPP

Box 10000

Saipan, MP 96950

(670) 322-3443