By Anita Mondragon
Back in the ’60s, I protested the Vietnam war. I stood with my friends, held signs, and chanted along with the voices of outrage. MY protest was the death of many of my classmates that occurred during that violent time in our history. I looked up the life expectancy of a private soldier, and here’s what I found… The following is an account from :
Al Nolf, former Senior Chief (E-8) at United States Navy (1968-1989)
I served three Combat tours in Vietnam. ’70-71, ’73-’75 including Operations Eagle Pull, Frequent Wind, and Baby Lift, the evacuation of Saigon. Extraction.
Army Helo pilots came to duty as Warrant Officers with a 45 minute life expectancy. They were told so when they signed up.
Grunts varied depending on an almost daily basis. Missions, Patrols, Duties, and Authority changed by region, area, and priority. After 1970 drastic political changes caused changes in life expectancy. Guns were removed from River Patrol Boats and replaced with water-canons. Crews were forbidden to return hostile fire. “Wet them down & make them run away” was the order when we encountered machinegun fire from the river banks.
Soldiers became “Advisors”, “Teachers”, and “Counsellors”…unArmed Drivers, heavy equipment operators, and Boat operators for the Vietnamese forces. Our lives depended upon them, since our government told us we’d face charges if we raised a gun…in a war zone. The same “Rules” did not apply to the Viet Cong.
Back home, nobody ever knew that we were left Unarmed in war, and they didn’t care. As far as they knew we were just laughing and killing babies. To this day the truth has never been told of how we were abandoned. Veterans know. When we got home, and for the 50 years that followed, we never even told Welcome home. We all know that we were supposed to have died there…
*****
So…I protested, as did many others.
Then again, I hit the pavement with protest at the bombing of a Marine compound in Beirut Lebanon. They were there on a peace keeping mission, yet 241 U.S. Service personnel were killed that day.
All these things came to mind as I lay in bed awaiting the morrow. You see, my plan was to once again stand in protest. I was young back in the days of the Vietnam war and the bombing of the Marine compound, but I no longer fit into that category. Still, I have a fighting spirit that prompts me to stand against evil! As I lay there, I thought about Hitler and the Holocaust-the millions that were senselessly slaughtered because one man had the idea that the world would be a better place without them. I could better picture the staggering number of souls lost to this horrific idea when I saw a trunk, filled with the wedding rings of those departed souls, shot or sent to the gas chambers.
I’ve seen people marching in protest against Seal mutilation…marches to save the Whales..people up in arms over the cruelty used at slaughter houses…walks and fund raiser drives and commercials on TV-Ads that say: For 63 Cents A Day, You’ll Rescue Mistreated Animals. Be Their Voice. Stop Animal Abuse. Fight Animal Cruelty. Impact an Animal’s Life. Save Lives Every Day.
Recently we have had the protest marches for Black Lives Matter. Some of them have been peaceful, others have turned into riots, burning of buildings, desecration of property, and the use of pepper spray,
and non-lethal projectiles being shot into the crowd to disperse the anger and outrage being shown over injustice.
and non-lethal projectiles being shot into the crowd to disperse the anger and outrage being shown over injustice.
These things are our Constitutional Rights. We have every right to stand in protest against the things we believe to be wrong! However, in this day and age, that compassion does not extend to the unborn. These babies are senselessly slaughtered at the rate of approximately 125,000 each day! These murders are not committed with compassion or care. These babies are burned with saline, and then sucked from their mother’s bellies limb by limb. I’ve seen videos of a baby in the womb when the saline is injected. They try to escape and find a safe place…but there is none.
WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE FOR THIS INJUSTICE????
If a baby in the womb can get hiccups, and become affected by what the mother drinks, smokes, or eats…how can anyone believe this child is not a living being?
I am appalled at the outrage folks feel for the mistreatment of animals, but seemingly have no thought of violently ripping a baby from it’s mother’s womb!! LADIES! GENTLEMAN! THIS IS NOT JUST ANOTHER DOCTOR APPOINTMENT! THIS IS MURDER!
All these things went through my mind as I pondered the coming protest. As I stood in front of the abortion clinic, I was determined to stand for what was right…at any cost. I took my son with me. He had watched the movie Unplanned, and wanted to go. We walked around the facility, praying as we went. In the back, there was an incinerator where they dispose of the parts they are unable to sell. I saw his sad face as he realized what they used this for. Then I heard him quietly begin to quote Jeremiah 29:11…For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
As we neared the driveway to the clinic, a mother and daughter were coming in. One of the members of our team politely stopped them and let them know we had other options and resources to offer if they were interested. They were crying and said they hadn’t decided what to do yet. My son got on his knees – right there on the sidewalk and began to pray. He prayed that they would make the right choice and keep the baby. But if not, that they would realize there was still forgiveness for them. I was amazed at the understanding he had of God’s mercy and grace!
At this protest, there was no yelling…no screaming…no judgment. Only prayer and the love of Jesus.
We will be going back. If our prayers and offerings of love to these in this dilemma will save just one child…it will be worth it all! I urge you to join us!