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THE WAR IN IRAQ: The impact in East Lansing by Courtney Bowerman
How is the war in Iraq affecting East Lansing as a community? Although none of the Michigan soldiers who have died in Iraq were from East Lansing, the community is still showing support for the troops, regardless of whether or not they actually support the war. “East Lansing is a patriotic community,” said Sgt. Don Bohanner, marketing and public affairs chief for the Marine Corps Recruiting Station in Lansing. “Everybody supports the troops and understands the need to strengthen the military.” The military does not keep track of how many people from East Lansing have joined, or have been sent to Iraq. However, Jeff Landenberger, Army public affairs specialist, said about 352 people from the Greater Lansing area (including East Lansing) have enlisted in the Army since the United States invaded Afghanistan in October 2001. Recruiting Station
(RS) Lansing of the Marine Corps was the No. 1 recruiting station in
the nation in 2006. Even though not everyone that contracts makes
it to boot camp, RS Lansing has always been on track with its recruiting
goals. In
the last fiscal year (October 2005-March 2006), the shipping goal was
82 recruits, and they received a total of 83 recruits. In the
current fiscal year that began in October, about 40 individuals have
enlisted so far. The Marine Corps are not preferential to a specific gender or ethnicity as long as the recruits fulfill the basic physical requirements — doing three pull-ups and running 1.5 miles in less than 13 minutes for males, doing 60 crunches and running 1.5 miles in less than 15 minutes for females — and achieve a score of at least 32 on the Armed Force Military Aptitude test. Bohanner said the majority of people who enlist are usually male high school graduates between the ages of 18 and 21. “I think most young people that want to join are looking for something bigger than themselves,” he said. “They are looking for a challenge and a stepping stone to catapult their careers. It offers challenge, discipline, fitness and a sense of belonging. It’s the rich tradition and honor that comes with the title of Marine that individuals want to obtain.” According to CNN’s list of U.S. casualties in Iraq, about 125 Michigan soldiers have been killed in Iraq since the war started in 2003. Three of them were from Lansing, but none were from East Lansing. Though the city of East Lansing has not yet suffered any casualties, there is no record of soldiers who may be wounded in action or any East Lansing residents who have family members fighting in Iraq. Regardless of whether they have family members in Iraq, more residents have become opposed to the war. The overall community mood was made clear by the demonstration on Jan. 11 in the downtown area to protest President Bush’s policy to send over more troops to Iraq. Despite the war’s decreasing popularity, there are some people who still remain optimistic that good things are coming out of it. Sgt. Jessica Bunce of the Michigan National Guard station at Michigan State University Army Reserve Training Corps (ROTC) says some people use their dissatisfaction as a reason to join the military. “I am very impressed by those that come to us,” Bunce said. “I know that a lot of people are upset about the situation, but I think if they knew what was going on over there (in Iraq), they would join too.” No matter how the public or even the soldiers may feel about the war, the overall feelings of the military is to do its duty, even if there is no support for the cause. “We’re just the military,” Bunce said. “We do what we’re told to do and make the best of it. As a soldier, it’s our duty to defend the nation, and that’s what we’re doing.” |
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