Lt. Wm. Calley Apologizes

[copdsux]

I can't do links, but AP is reporting that Calley has apologized, before a Kiwanis group, for his participation in the infamous Mi Lai massacre. No matter what your feelings are/were, regarding Viet Nam, this had to be a horrible burden to bear for over forty years.

Mike

 

[Crazynuff]

Here's the link . Calley apologizes for My Lai massacre - Military- msnbc.com
For those not familiar with the incident . My Lai Massacre - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia .
More detail Academy Leadership .
Calley should have continued to bear the burden the rest of his life in prison . I read a book telling of other atrocities he and his men committed before Mi Lai . Do you think the actions of Calley and others like him didn't result in Vietnamese civilians decide to aid the Viet Cong resulting in more American deaths ?

 

[layoutshooter]

I was a round robin cycle over there for YEARS!! The VC, the Patho-LOAS(sp?) and several other Russian back groups where doing these things and WORSE for YEARS prior to our involvement there. Raping nuns was one of their favorite games. I am NOT excusing what happened, I DO believe it was ORDERED and HE should have REFUSED the illegal order.
I will give him credit for ONE thing, he repented, more than I can say for "Uncle Teddy" or William Ayers.

 

[Crazynuff]

I was a round robin cycle over there for YEARS!! The VC, the Patho-LOAS(sp?) and several other Russian back groups where doing these things and WORSE for YEARS prior to our involvement there. Raping nuns was one of their favorite games. I am NOT excusing what happened, I DO believe it was ORDERED and HE should have REFUSED the illegal order.
I will give him credit for ONE thing, he repented, more than I can say for "Uncle Teddy" or William Ayers.

He repented because he was caught . If commendable soldiers hadn't taken a stand against his actions he would have done more of the same .

 

[layoutshooter]

I agree. MEN have to stand up for what is right reguardless of the personal costs. I do think that his repentence might be real. He has had to live with this for a lifetime. That is a VERY long time to have to reflect on his actions. I cannot say for sure, but I can see how it could happen. Those types of things have gone on in EVERY war fought by ALL sides. War is UGLY and does not always bring out the best in men. The best way to avoid more things is to insure that we DON'T have to fight another. Not letting down our guard is the best way to insure that.

 

[Crazynuff]

It's very understandable how it could happen without very strong discipline . An outfit takes heavy fire from a village with men being killed and injured and they attack the village to retaliate . The problem is the ones that were firing escaped in tunnels leaving only noncombatants to face the consequences . It's very difficult to just say "Oh well " and turn around and walk away without a release of the rage .

 

[layoutshooter]

That was a VERY nasty war. I thank God often that I never had to serve over there. I know many that did and even had orders to go but they were cancelled two days later. I was lucky enough to never have gone into combat. The job that I did do was bad enough. I too can understand how something like that could happen, not only the "release" of anger and the frustration but knowing that many of those people were supporter of the VC. The VC were no better, they would shoot up villages if they did NOT support them. Much like the Talliban today. Again, not excusing what happened, just understanding.