VFW members speak out on Iraq war

VFW Magazine, Nov, 2002

The Sept. 15 edition of the New York Times surveyed VFW members in microcosm at Post 1286 in Fishkill, N.Y., on the question of war with Iraq. Opinions covered the spectrum, found reporter Matthew Purdy. VFW member Noel R. Schetter said taking out Saddam Hussein would not stop terrorism: "You've got the wrong guy. I think it's ridiculous."

One WWII vet favored attacking Iraq. "Absolutely," he said. "The sooner the better." Korean War vet Jim Chirico: "If we don't do something or if we do, it's going to cost lives" Left-wing pacifist and VFW member Pete Seeger countered: "I think the world doesn't realize the danger of modern weapons. It's going to get worse and worse."