Don't judge those Marines in combat

As a combat veteran myself, I have problems fully understanding why so much adverse publicity is being given to three or four Marines who were caught on tape urinating on dead Taliban combatants. Was this something that I would have taken part in? Honestly, I do not know.

What happened before the camera was rolling, only these young Marines know fully. Combat is something I pray my sons and grandsons never experience.

Combat and constant death around you unbelievably changes your personality. I fought in three major battles while serving with the 1/7 Cavalry (Silver Star recipient) and saw much worse.

How a perfectly sane person reacts under such adverse conditions, you or I would would have had to walk in their combat boots.

Larry Stevenson
Vietnam veteran
Sedalia