VETERNAS: FULL SUPPORT GIVEN TO BUSH, TROOPS

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Cape Girardeau area veterans and members of various veteran groups are divided on the wisdom of the U.S. attack against Saddam Hussein at this time, but all agree that the nation should pull together and support the president and troops in Saudi Arabia.

"Now that the president has made this decision, we should unite in support of our troops and our president and do everything we can to make this a successful effort," said Fred Naeter Jr., an officer with the Cape Girardeau post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

Naeter was one of several area veterans contacted by the Southeast Missourian following the U.S.-led air attack against Iraqi targets in both Iraq and Kuwait.

Naeter, adjutant of the local VFW, was one of two area veterans who expressed concerns about the U.S. action.

"I've been watching every minute of the broadcasts," said Naeter Wednesday night. "I'm waiting for the pilots to return for some more information.

"It's scary," he added. "This thing could haunt us for years."

Naeter said he was concerned about the possibility of terrorist attacks in the U.S.

"They have crazy terrorists all over the world," said Naeter. "The FBI has admitted on national television that there are terrorists in the U.S. Even if the fighting is over in a week, or a month, there will still be the worry over terrorism for a much longer time."

Naeter said he had concerns about the U.S. being in Saudi Arabia at this time. But now that the action has been initiated, he said he would fully support the president and the troops.

"One of the best things I've seen out of this is when President Bush said he wouldn't make the troops fight with their hands tied behind their backs," said Naeter, a Vietnam veteran. "We don't want to see this become another Vietnam."

James Holloway, of the Area Vietnam Veterans and Support Group, said he heard about the air strike while en route home from Salem, where he had been working.

"I stand behind the president 100 percent," he said. "I hate to see the country go to war, but that man (Hussein) has to be stopped."

Holloway said he didn't want to see the conflict turn into another Vietnam.

"Under the conditions, I think this will be more or less an air war," said Holloway. "Saudi Arabia is not like Vietnam. There is no place to hide in the desert."

George Points, commander of the Cape Girardeau American Legion Louis K. Juden Post 63, who served in World War II aboard the USS Yorktown, was adamant in his feelings.

"A man like Hussein has to be stopped," he said. "That man is a maniac. He is looking for fire and has to be stopped, or he will take over everywhere."

Points said he attended an American Legion meeting Wednesday night and that "these same feelings were expressed many times" during the meeting.

Everyone there was in support of the president and all the troops, he said.

"It is not just a matter of oil, like some people say," he added. "A man who will kill his own people has to be stopped, and we're the only one who can stop him."

"We may have waited too late to make our move," said Harlan Siebert, past commander of the Jackson American Legion. "I think we should have been in there a long a time ago.

"Hussein is such an ugly man and has been walking over us the past five months," he added. "During that five months, we've given him plenty of time to prepare.

"I support the president and troops all the way," he added.

Leonard Webb, of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, expressed concerned about the U.S. presence in Saudi Arabia.

"I'm not sure we had sufficient reason for being there," he said. "But, now that we're there, I'll back and support the president and the troops that are there. I'm hoping for a swift and successful conclusion to the war."

Webb, who was at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese bombed it in on Dec. 7, 1941, said that as a combat veteran he has "seen the horrors of war." He said that his thoughts and prayers were with the troops and their families.