Viet era scorn gone, says 20-year vet

When Air Force Master Sgt. Peter A. Schmidt joined the service20 years ago, military people were sometimes scorned and despised.

The Vietnam War prompted thousands to burn their draft cards orescape to Canada rather than join the military. But thousands likeSchmidt, a native Chicagoan, weren't swayed by the protests.

"It bothered me that there was a lack of support for people whowere serving their country," Schmidt recalled. "But I felt I had anobligation to do something."

Two decades later, Schmidt, 40, is still in a support role - nowas part of Operation Desert Shield in the Persian Gulf. And, hesaid, "there's more pride in being an American and being aserviceman, too."

Schmidt is a member of the 24-hour crisis team of theTransportation Command at Scott Air Force Base near Belleville, Ill.The command coordinates the daily air, sea and land deployment oftroops and equipment to the Persian Gulf.

"We make sure that everything is getting where it's supposed tobe going, according to plan," he said. "We have a job, a mission,people to support, and you don't want to let anybody down. There's asense of pride and camaraderie."

Members of the crisis team don't watch the troops board theships and planes the command has prepared to ferry them to apotentially hostile area.

Still, to Schmidt and other members of the team, the soldiersare more than numbers.

"You want to support them and make sure they have the capabilityto do what they're supposed to do," he said. "Everyone is pulling forthem."

American support of President Bush's deployment is running high.But, Schmidt said, if the troops remain for a long time, "I hope (theAmerican people continue to) support us folks here in the military."