Balkan conflict
By Lori Tighe
tempers Easter fun
Star-BulletinSeveral dozen veterans interrupted the sun and fun at Fort DeRussy Beach Park for a moment to clasp hands, bow their heads and pray for the captive American soldiers in Kosovo.
"Three of our comrades are not with their families today on Easter like we are," said John Rogers, leader of Bravo Hawaii, an organization that helps homeless veterans. "We hope they are returned safely."
As Elton John sang "Benny and the Jets" on a background radio, the veterans tied three yellow ribbons around a black prisoners-of-war flagpole.
"Americans should never forget these men who serve the country and keep the beacon of freedom burning," continued Rogers, who said he served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army.
"To be captured is what every soldier dreads," said Paris Willis, a member of Bravo Hawaii.
"I'm concerned about the frame of mind of these men. They may feel helpless, trapped, scared. And on Easter they're worrying about what their families might be thinking."
The Army "cannot prepare you for the actual event. Right now those men must be in an awful state," Willis said.
With the prisoners on their minds, many local people appeared torn between the country's responsibility to help the ethnic Albanians and a desire to keep our own out of harm's way.
"Americans always want to save everyone. Sometimes you have to draw the line," said Elisha Taylor, 21, of Waipahu. "I almost cried when I saw the one soldier beaten so badly."
Rebecca McNeal of Manoa gave a donation Easter Sunday to the Red Cross collection for the Albanian refugees fleeing Kosovo. Her church, Calvary by the Sea, passed the basket around and prayed for peace in the Balkan region.
"I do think Americans should be there trying to prevent genocide from spreading to other countries," she said. "But I feel it's hopeless for the prisoners. The people who have them don't care or respect life. They (the prisoners) are political pawns."
Bill Cadow of Kauai, visiting his family on Oahu, reluctantly supports America's involvement in the Balkan region. But he fears "another Vietnam."
"We can't let the Yugoslavians keep doing what they're doing. But how long can we do it?"
Although he feels for the three American prisoners, he said he has thought more about the ethnic Albanians fleeing Kosovo.
"The people need to be helped. It's hard to believe the decimation of the Kosovo people is happening in this day and age."
The Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross said the best way to help the victims of the Balkan conflict is through monetary donations.
Red Cross teams are working to receive and provide help to the estimated 300,000 people at the border crossings in Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Tax-deductible contributions can be made to American Red Cross; International Response Fund; c/o Hawaii State Chapter; 4155 Diamond Head Road; Honolulu, HI 96816.
To make a credit card contribution, call (808) 739-8109.
