posted on April 17, 2003 08:57:52 PM new
Roddy Stinson: 'Avoid wearing of uniform' general warns local soldiers
Web Posted : 04/13/2003 12:00 AM
"If possible, avoid wearing of the uniform when dining in public places."
— From a "Protective Measures Awareness" notice sent to San Antonio's U.S. Army personnel by Maj. Gen. Darrel R. Porr on Friday
April 11, 2003, will be remembered as one of the saddest dates in Alamo City history.
Because of recent instances of harassment of uniformed personnel, Porr, the commanding general at Fort Sam Houston, felt compelled to warn the men and women who serve under him to use caution when traveling, shopping and dining in San Antonio.
"Two separate incidents against military personnel have occurred," Porr reported. "In the first incident, two males on the city's Northeast Side made threatening gestures and pounded on the car window of a drill sergeant and his spouse while they were on their way home.
"The second incident involved two sailors, in uniform, who were accosted by several males who said, 'You'd better not go to war,' as they departed a River Walk restaurant."
Porr provided this possible explanation for the hostile actions:
"There has been a significant increase of demonstrations throughout the United States in opposition to the ongoing U.S.-led military operations in Iraq.
"As individuals voice their opinions against military operations, they tend to direct their frustrations toward governmental and military symbols."
On receiving a copy of the notice from an anonymous e-mailer, I called Fort Sam to ask for more details about the incidents, in general, and the harassers, in particular.
A post spokesman indicated that more information was available, but declined "to go there."
He then made a point of emphasizing:
"Soldiers here in San Antonio have always proudly worn their uniform because of the support for the military.
"Previously, there has never been any perceived threat. This is quite unusual.
"Even during Vietnam, San Antonio was one community that supported the military forces.
"That's one reason the general put that notice out ... because (such harassment) is so unusual in this community."
The notice included cautions other than the warning not to wear uniforms when dining in San Antonio restaurants.
Porr also recommended:
"Be cognizant of people who gather and voice their sentiments against the military efforts in Iraq. Do not get involved."
"When in public facilities, soldiers should avoid conversations related to work or military operations in general."
"Always practice the 'Buddy System' when traveling."
"When in uniform, minimize the number of stops when traveling from home to work or vice versa. Wear civilian clothing when possible."
There you have it: San Antonio, Texas, anno Domini 2003, in all its un-glory.
What's worse ...
Community leaders continue to show pitifully little support for U.S. soldiers.
Example in point:
City officials have been mute as mice since troops entered Iraq. (The San Antonio City Council, which regularly passes resolutions honoring everything from the Dallas Cowboys to Hike and Bike Week, has deigned only to observe "a moment of silence" for the troops and their families.)
Add to that palpable hush the rants of the town's Saddam Hussein apologists, and "Military City USA" can easily degenerate into a South Texas backwater, where men and women in uniform can't safely wear their uniforms in public.
"Sad" hardly describes such a miserable state of affairs.
Fortunately, all of the news surrounding the recent threats isn't dreary.
One unofficial source I talked to said he had seen the police report of the incident on the River Walk, and he provided this description of the confrontation:
"Some Marines who were nearby saw what was happening and went to the sailors' aid.
"The matter was then taken care of by combined military action."
"Be kind. Remember everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." - Harry Thompson
"I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it." - A Few Good Men
- Harry Thompson