‘Starting to be another Vietnam’

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'Being an infantry man, I (would) want a lot of support. (But on the other hand) War is a waste.'

- Clarence Okamura, Korean War veteran

KAHULUI

Maui veterans expressed differing opinions Wednesday about what President Barack Obama should do about the war in Afghanistan, with some saying he should end the war and bring troops home, and others saying he should strengthen support for the war effort and not pull out until the area is stable.

"Let's get out of there. It's starting to be another Vietnam," said Navy veteran Fred Perkins of Makawao.

On the contrary, Marine Corps veteran David Kahoohanohano said if the military feels it needs more troops, then Obama should send more troops.

The former corporal felt that Washington shouldn't be fighting the war.

"Let the military fight the war," said Kahoohanohano, who was also a merchant seaman.

Kahoohanohano is the brother of the late Anthony T. Kahoohanohano, who will be posthumously given a Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in the Korean War. Anthony Kahoohanohano was killed in battle in 1951.

The veterans were spending part of the Veterans Day holiday Wednesday at the Maui Sons & Daughters of the Nisei Veterans' program at the Queen Ka'ahumanu Center.

Honored were veterans past and present, including National Guard members from Hawaii. The event featured entertainment, tributes to veterans and memorabilia displays and information about veterans groups.

The Maui veterans' reflections on the war in Afghanistan come as Obama mulls four options for realigning U.S. strategy in Afghanistan. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who leads 68,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan along with 100,000 NATO forces, has asked for an addition of about 40,000 troops next year, along with more resources.

White House officials said Obama's decision on what to do in the area is still weeks away.

Korean War veteran Clarence Okamura said he has mixed feelings about what Obama should do.

The 77-year-old Kula resident said, as a former member of the Army back in 1952 and 1953, he understands the need to give the troops more support.

"Being an infantry man, I (would) want a lot of support," he said

But on the other hand, Okamura doesn't think too highly of wars, even though he's a veteran.

"War is a waste," he said.

He said when people get down to the root of wars, it involves politics and greed.

Okamura, a former sergeant, also wanted to be sure that all the veterans, including those of the present wars, are cared for by the U.S. government following their service.

Ned Purdy, a Marine Corps veteran, feels that the U.S shouldn't pull out of Afghan-istan until the conflict is stable.

The military has had trouble mounting adequate troops to fight for the U.S. ever since the draft was repealed, he said.

"It has taken a toll on enlistment," he said.

The 63-year-old from Pukalani, who was a corporal in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1969, said he enlisted in the military because he felt it was his responsibility.

Purdy's two sons both also enlisted on their own, he said. One served in the Gulf War and the other was in the Navy and spent time in Iraq.

Perkins, who was deployed on a minesweeper off the coast of Vietnam during the war in that country, said he didn't want the conflict in Afghanistan to be like the one he fought.

"Bring our troops home and protect our country," he said.

* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com. The Associated?Press contributed to this story.