CBS's Take on Parris Island

[Vulture6]

Volunteering For War

PARRIS ISLAND, S.C., Oct. 10, 2005




(CBS) At first glance, Parris Island looks a lot like a nature preserve. But CBS News correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi finds that this is where Marines are made.

As Alfonsi tours, she finds that dawn breaks with croaking drill instructors.

First stop: the dreaded obstacle course. It's supposed to build strength, but it also tests character — often in inches and agony. It's where Alfonsi meets Michael Laurello, a scrappy 19 year old who enlisted right out of high school.

"My mother actually cried," Laurello says of when he enlisted. "It was like a funeral at my going away party."

Some wonder why anyone would voluntarily enlist during wartime.

"I want to be fighting the evils, what they did to us on Septmeber 11th," Laurello says.

All three of the recruits Alfonsi sit down with say they enlisted because of Sept. 11. Politicians will argue whether the war and 9-11 are related — but clearly here, to these recruits — the two are inseparable.

Alfonsi asks the recruits if the rest of America is touched by the war.

"The young kids, some of them, they don't understand," answers Shauna Paddie, a Marine recruit. "They are not touched by it."

Michael Laurello thinks the rest of America has actually forgotten about what happened on Sept. 11.

"I don't think America wants us over there fighting the war," he says. "They say it's not our war, but to me, we're helping other people."

Trenton Roberts, another recruit, agrees.

"We're very helpful," Roberts says. "When we see a need to help somebody, we're going to do so because we're the big brothers to other countries."

But all three get the feeling that people just do not care about the war. Despite that, Michael Laurello and a new class of recruits are going through hell and likely headed to war, by choice.

"In my heart, this is what I want to do, and there's nothing that's going to change that," he says. "There's nothing that can change that."

©MMV, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

[Brad]

What a shame that Soldiers and Marines are made to feel that Americans do not care about the war they are fighting. The elites don't care. The media doesn't care. Many of our politicians seem to have forgotten what we are there for. But everyplace I go in the country - from here on the east coast, to the midwest, to the south (sorry, I don't make it out west much), people I talk to are in agreement with the war and supportive of what's going on. I still see flags in the yard and supportive stickers on cars. I know that many are sending packages to "their" soldiers overseas. And the only frustration I hear is frustration with a media that doesn't get it and with politicians that are unwilling to stand.

And, even if I'm misreading the rest of the country, I support all of you and wish I could be out there with you.

[USMCRET6391]

Nice post Vulture, I am however, surprised that CBS would post something so positive about the Corps and the young me who server in her..........Semper Fi

[SGRock]

That IS a surprise that they said something positive!

[USMC Chuter]

There needs to be more media exposure of the positive things our military is doing-particularly the positive attitudes and motivation of the junior enlisted. They joined of their own accord during time of war. I'm pretty proud of them.

[ArchAngel]

I saw that on TV a couple nights ago. It was a great report!

CBS went to alot of military bases. After PI they went to Fort Benning to talk to soldiers who just got back, or something like that.

[Rusty24]

What a shame that Soldiers and Marines are made to feel that Americans do not care about the war they are fighting.

..... when I was returning from my deployment, my final destination before home was Raleigh-Durham Airport. From the time I left Balad to the point where I met up with the misses and kids "Machine" (as we called him) was my travel buddy. As we stood there waiting for our gear others were as well. The first pieces of gear were our gun cases. Then the ever so popular green A-bags. Finally a roller style bug out bag we call the "body bag" finally rolled off. There was a young couple standing there and they kept giving me and Machine the evil eye the whole time. We were in jeans, t-shirt and our hair was no where near "clean cut". After we rounded up our stuff a gentleman approached both of us and shook our hands and said "Thank You". His wife did the same. Then another gentleman reached out and said "Thank You" as well and followed it up with "US Army class of 67' & 69'. At that point it didnt matter what the couple was thinking. ALL soldiers can hold their head high knowing that they did their job and follwed orders. A simple thank you goes a loooong way. And to me ---- negates any negative comments that some have.

And, even if I'm misreading the rest of the country, I support all of you and wish I could be out there with you.

--- THANK YOU!

[SpongeJuan]

I'm surprised they didn't show recruits getting "killed" by drill instructors.