By Caitlin Kasunich and Richard Nieva
As U.S. servicemen and women celebrated the 91st annual Veterans Day Parade in New York City, they continued to face two contentious issues: the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the debate over the possible repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.
Veterans from every American conflict sat together in white fold-up chairs for the 10 a.m. opening ceremony at Madison Square Park. As they listened to addresses by Gov. David Patterson, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and high-ranking military officials, some family members waved miniature flags while others clutched framed photographs of loved ones in military uniforms.
The day also marked the 60th anniversary of the Korean War and was replete with symbols marking the partnership between the two countries. Among them was a rendition of “God Bless America” sung by the Korean Children’s Choir. After the opening ceremony, thousands of veterans marched down 5th Avenue, led by dozens of veterans riding motorcycles.
One soldier threw candy to the crowd out of the top of a military truck as it rumbled down the street.
With U.S. troops still stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq, many of the older veterans discussed their concerns for the country’s future combat.
“War is stupid,” said Frank Milano, an 89-year-old World War II Air Force corporal from Queens. “Always respect the flag and respect yourself. How can you straighten out something that is completely wrong? It’s wrong that people are killing one another. We have to help one another. In a time like this over there, we in World War II fought for victory. Let’s fight for victory and get out of there.”
“I feel so sad for these young guys who are getting into the service today and fighting a battle where we don’t even know what we’re doing there,” agreed 83-year-old Rudolph Castore, a World War II Army sergeant. “It brings tears to my eyes to think that they’re out there trying to fight, but it’s not like World War II. We really knew who we were fighting. That’s the sad part about the situation in Iraq and what’s going on today. It’s just terrible, and I think about it everyday.”
But one active duty member did not see such a grim future for the wars in the Middle East.
“I think we’re doing well,” said Sgt. Alex Andriacorneiro. “The Iraqi people really appreciate our help. They support us and we support them. And we’re getting the mission done.”
The war in Afghanistan began in 2001, while the war in Iraq began in 2003. President Barack Obama has placed a July 2011 deadline for the beginning of troop withdrawals in Afghanistan, but the administration recently suggested at a conference in Australia that the country needs four more years before giving full control to the Afghan people. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, all mentioned 2014 as the new deadline.
Another issue on the minds of vets was the possible repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” legislation, which prevents openly gay soldiers from serving. While many of the older veterans said that they did not have much knowledge on the policy, younger ones showed more enthusiastic support for the repeal.
The policy stipulates that soldiers who are not heterosexual can serve in the military provided they keep their sexual orientation to themselves.
In September, Virginia Phillips, a federal judge in California, ruled the policy violates equal protection rights in the First Amendment. Obama promised in his 2008 campaign to overturn the legislation, but large Republican swings in this month’s election will likely make it difficult.
At a party for veterans hosted by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America at the Providence social venue on W. 57th St., 27-year-old Rey Leal of the U.S. Marine Corps said that he believes all people deserve a chance to serve their country if they really want to.
“I think that if you want to serve your country, you should serve your country,” said Leal, who served in Iraq in 2004-05 and again in 2006. “I can’t imagine making that decision one day and finally saying, ‘You know what? I want to serve my country,’ and then for some reason I’m not able to. It’s not some physical or mental issue. It’s just because of who I am. I can’t imagine that. In my eyes, I don’t think it’s fair.”
“I served with a lot of people who were closeted,” added 32-year-old Army first lieutenant Jason Brandle. “One of my best soldiers was closeted.” Brandle attributed his open mindset to his New York City upbringing, growing up in Jackson Heights, Queens.
“It’s a new era,” he said. “Things that don’t evolve, die.”
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