Thread: U.S. should have tighter grip on border, WWII veterans say

http://www.venturacountystar.com

U.S. should have tighter grip on border, WWII veterans say
By John Mitchell, jmitchell@VenturaCountyStar.com
June 6, 2006

As Americans observe the anniversary of D-Day, some veterans of World War II find their thoughts turning to today's political battles, including immigration.

The sight of Mexican flags being waved in the initial immigration demonstrations that recently filled television screens ticked off a number of older veterans in Ventura County.

That was the opinion of some in a group of about 20 veterans, most in their 80s, who gathered for lunch at the Westlake Village home of Connie Kaczmarck, 90, who served in the Army during World War II.

The veterans occasionally come together to exchange war memories and socialize. Last week's lunch, on a patio overlooking colorful party boats nestled on picturesque Westlake Lake, was different.

Organizer Leonard Zerlin of Thousand Oaks, a gunner on a B-26 bomber, had given them a topic to discuss: illegal immigration. The atmosphere was decidedly nonpolitical as the veterans shared personal feelings on the issue.

Overall, they said the United States should take a number of steps, including getting a tighter grip on its borders and penalizing employers who hire undocumented immigrants.

At the same time, most favored President Bush's guest-worker program, which was included in an immigration reform bill recently passed by the Senate. The bill also calls for making English the official language, strengthening security at America's borders and providing the means for millions of illegal immigrants --— those in this country at least five years — to stay and possibly become citizens.

The House of Representatives has yet to act on the Senate bill or come up with a version of its own.

Zerlin, 82, said he's bothered that some immigrants don't learn English.

"As World War II veterans, our time is limited here and we're more emotional about things like this," Zerlin said. "When my grandparents came here and spoke Yiddish at home, my grandmother would say, ¿Speak American. The children need it to succeed.' She was right."

Keet O'Bryant, 83, of Thousand Oaks was one of the veterans offended by the sight of Mexican flags in the demonstrations.

"It was like they were thumbing their noses at us," said the former Navy radioman first class. "At least there weren't as many flags in the second demonstration." Then, on reflection, he said, "I guess it was their privilege to fly their flag; this is a free country."

John Kennedy, 83, of Westlake Village said he has a time-share apartment in Escondido and last fall he witnessed lines of illegal immigrants walking across the highway.

"It's OK if they come across legally and have a way of supporting themselves when they get here," Kennedy said.

Don McClendon, 82, of Westlake Village was a radio operator-gunner aboard a B-24 bomber.

"We've got to get control of the border," he said. "I know that if we brought in all the members in our armed forces, we still wouldn't be able to stop people from coming across — it's too big — but we need to get control as best we can."

Jerry Cole, 81, of Oxnard was a combat aerial photographer with the 8th Air Force in Europe. Of the demonstrations, he said, "Take a group of people in this country illegally, band them together and march, and they say they have rights. They don't."

Darrell Larsen, 83, of Ventura was an engineer-gunner on a B-24. He supports Bush's guest-worker plan, which he said is something like the bracero program of the 1950s.

"These people are hard-working and deserve help," he said. "Their economy in their country is not helping them."

In separate interviews, veterans with Hispanic surnames who did not attend the luncheon generally agreed with their peers.

William Duarte, 74, of El Rio was an Army combat infantryman during the Korean War.

"They're welcome to come here and work, but we believe in law and order and when you jump the fence, it's illegal," he said. "They must come in legally, through channels, like others do."

Duarte said he agrees with the provisions in the recently passed Senate bill.

Richard Ramirez, 75, of Santa Paula, a Korean War veteran, said people who want to stay in the United States should learn to speak English. Like other veterans, Ramirez feels that the border will never be slammed shut.

"If people are desperate enough, they'll find a way to come in," he said. "They'll use ropes, do it in boats along the coast, whatever. The National Guard won't stop them."

Jess Garcia, 82, of Santa Paula was part of the American Army that slogged ashore at Utah Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Born in Mexico, he came to the U.S. when he was a baby.

"I didn't like seeing the Mexican flag in the demonstrations," he said. "If people don't like this country, they should stay in their own. And work should be available to the people in Mexico so they don't have to leave their families to come here for work."

All the veterans agreed that immigration is acceptable — as long as it is legal.

I think Bush needs to go to breakfast with these guys, instead of the Hispanics

Dixie