Posted on 03/21/2006 10:51:36 AM PST by wallcrawlr
YAHK, British Columbia A Vietnam war-era deserter who was caught crossing into the United States and held for a week says he made a mistake when he fled the Marine Corps in 1968.
"When I was 18, I wasn't aware that duty and honor would mean as much to me as they do now," Allen Abney, 56, said Monday in this southeast British Columbia town.
"Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't have done what I did 38 years ago," he said. "It wasn't worth it, all the pain I caused my family."
Abney was arrested March 9 while crossing the border to Idaho, something he had done countless times before, but he said that was the first time he was asked for birth certificate as identification. When the Customs agent asked him to pull over, Abney said, he knew he was in trouble.
After a night in custody in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, two Marine investigators took him to a cell in Camp Pendleton, Calif.
"I was read my rights and told of the charges," Abney said. "I was once again a Marine."
He said he was issued combat fatigues and boots, given a haircut and told to trim his mustache to military standards or shave it off altogether. Despite the strain, Abney said he was treated with respect.
"The (Marine Corps) is one of the finest military organizations in the world," he said. "Good or bad, they take care of their own and I feel privileged to have shared some time with those fine young warriors."
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
There's no way he could avoid a conviction if this went to trial, so this kind of brownnosing is essential.
I like your "Canada Ping" logo of the saluting Mountie. Cool!
Ah yes, enjoying the benefits of the American society with none of the responsibilities. If "duty and honor" mean "so much" to him, why didn't he turn himself in, and why did he continue to break our laws? I say he's a liar.
His record isn't being expunged. The arrest warrant is being vacated.
... enlisted with the Marines in 1968 shortly after his younger brother received a draft notice. He was sent to boot camp at Camp Pendleton but fled to Vancouver during a weekend leave. He became a Canadian citizen in 1977......
Abney's younger brother, who had been ill with cancer, died while he was at Camp Pendleton this month. The Marines expedited his release so he could attend his brother's memorial service Saturday.
**fate/irony/odd**
My gut says shoot him. However, maybe, at this point in time, it would be appropriate to strip him of his US citizenship, declare him personna non grata, and let him live out his disgrace in Canada. He certainly doesn't deserve to be a US citizen if he runs away from the responsibilities to be one.
I believe it is the Canadian equivalent of, and near, Yaak, MT.
Regardless, guys like this really tick me off. My Husband was 19 when he received his draft notice. He served his country and says that he will never regret the experience, unlike this wimp.
I worked for an E9 there who could be your dispositional twin - which I view as a good thing.
If you're that E9, all I can say is that I know now that I was an idiot then.
Well, he could be like my brother and me - I'm ten minutes older. :)
We didn't get draft notices. He joined the Marines and I joined the Navy 1 month later - each of us served proudly.
Wow, this is one tough room. As someone once said, a brave man dies but onces, a coward, many times.
This man has been punishing himself for a long time.
A year in the Viet Nam jungles seemed like a long time when you are 18, but was but a blink of the eye of a life time. I joined the Army, served a tour in Viet Nam, came home, got out and went on with my life never regreting my decision to join the Army or serving in Viet Nam.
This man has lived with his poor decision his entire life. At this point in time, I am ready to forgive.
(Note my forgiveness does not extend to Jane Fonda and her crowd).
"He's a deserter. Doesn't that mean we get to shoot him?"
Are you willing to shoot him?
well, he skipped out on one war, let him serve in the current one. send him to iraq and give him a chance to earn his place in american society. if he serves with distinction, restore rights and privledges granted to citizens.
but more likely, if he was sent to serve, he'd prolly run again. then.. exile on pain of death.
"He should have been hung on national tv instead of being turned loose."
Brave words from the Pajamahadeen.
There's no indication of that.
Not sorry he did it -- just sorry he got caught! Slimeball
The war ended just before I turned 18. If drafted I would not have served. I was a foolish young man; idealistic, but without fear. There, but for the grace of God go I.
Still, and I only speak for myself, the time for punishment is past. Let him return home (to Canada).
Would like this guy watching your back in Iraq? I wouldn't.
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