The Portsmouth Times
November 23, 1963, p. 1
MINFORD AIRMAN MAKES STRONG CASE FOR VIET NAM
WILLING TO GIVE LIFE
Editor's Note: The following letter to the editor is from Airman 1C Arthur E. Staten, a 1956 graduate of Minford High School, now serving with the US Forces in Viet Nam. Staten is married to the former Jeanne E. Ellsworth who lives in Dayton. With the wave of demonstration against US policy in Viet Name, Airman Staten's viewpoint, we feel, reflects a strong segment of the American people's thinking.
My name is Arthur E. Staten. I'm an airman first class serving in South Viet Nam.
I'm sending this letter to my hometown newspaper concerning the people who protest the war here in Viet Nam.
I try to love my fellowman no matter who or what he is, but I find it hard to believe American men and women really object to U.S. servicemen being in Viet Nam.
It brings much sorrow to our hearts when we hear what our fellow Americans are doing in the states, but it does not lower our morale. It only gives us a stronger desire to do our job here.
It people who parade, protest and tell us we are fighting a useless war had to live without their freedom they would change their point of view.
If they could only think of how it would be to live in a country without freedom, without any hope of future dreams ever coming true.
Perhaps they don't care about the people in South Viet Nam, but is the U.S. troops were to pull out, the trouble would never stop.
Perhaps a few years from now we'll be fighting this same war in our own back yeard.
Please don't think I'm playing the role of a hero, because I'm not. I'm just a young airman trying to do my part in an old war. But it is a war in which I may have to give my life in order to bring these people freedom and to help my own country grow stronger. For freedom's cause I would gladly give my life.
To me, one of the most important things about freedom is that it means that my own son and daughter (ages 6 & 4) and perhaps their children can grow up in a land where they can learn the teachings of a real and true God.
The morning I left home to come out here I walked my 6-year-old son part way to school and as we said goodbye to each other, his last words were, "Daddy, I love you."
My wife and 4-year-old daughter cried as we said our goodbyes later that evening.
I, like thousands of other GI's out here have hopes and dreams of seeing my family and loved ones again, but freedom is far more important than this.
I don't want to be out here, but I have no fear of death, for I know God is real, and in Him I put my trust and faith.
Since I've been out here, points in the "code of conduct" have really meant a lot to me, and I'm glad I've learned to live with them. Especially the first one, "I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard our country and protect our way of life. I am prepared to give my life for its defense."