Alex Cornell du Houx is the co-president of the Maine College Democrats, as well as the development director for the College Democrats of America. He was a candidate for the town council in Brunswick, but had to drop out because he is being deployed to Iraq in December. Below are snippets of the story from the
Brunswick Times Record and the letter to the editor I drafted after reading the story. One more Democrat being sent to Hell to defend the country, while the Republican cheerleaders stay at home and criticize a man in uniform.
http://tinyurl.com/8gctx BRUNSWICK — On Dec. 1, Alex Cornell du Houx, a 21-year-old Bowdoin College senior from Solon will head to Iraq for approximately 10 months as part of the Alpha 1st Company Battalion of the Marines. Instead of staying up late to finish off college papers and cram for finals, Cornell du Houx will use his training and experience as a 0351 Assault Man to shoot rockets, deal with demolitions and work the Javelin Missile System. "I am not nervous whatsoever. We are well trained and we're ready to go," Cornell du Houx said about the news of his unit's impending deployment to Iraq.
His mother and family are supportive of his plans as well. "I feel for every mom who has a son or daughter who has been deployed, for the innocent Iraqi families that have lost their loved ones, and for the families of 1,966 soldiers who never came home," said Ramona du Houx, Alex's mother. "But the overwhelming reality of how unjust this war is only truly hits home when it is your son or daughter who is going into harm's way."
The senior is most well known on the Bowdoin College campus in his role as development director for the College Democrats of America and as co-president of the Maine College Democrats. Under his leadership, the organization in Maine has grown from two chapters to 23. While Cornell du Houx has actively rallied against many of President Bush's policies, he feels that his involvement in the Marines is not a conflict of interest. "Regardless of my opinions regarding the war in Iraq, it is my duty as a U.S. Marine to serve and I am ready and willing to do my job to its fullest extent," he said.
Others on campus, particularly his political opponents in the Bowdoin College Republicans, feel differently about his service. Daniel Schuberth, a leader of the Bowdoin College Republicans and College Republican national secretary, said, "I applaud Mr. Houx for his service, just as I applaud any other soldier who is brave enough to take up arms in defense of his country. I find it troubling, however, that one of the most vocal opponents of our president, our country and our mission in Iraq has chosen to fight for a cause he claims is wrong. Mr. Houx's rhetoric against the war on terror places him in agreement with the most radical fringes of the Democratic Party, and I am left to question his logic and motivation."
Duty, honor, country
Paul Franco, one of Cornell du Houx's government and legal studies professors, disagrees. "He exemplifies democratic citizenship at its best," Franco said of Cornell du Houx. "Though he opposes Bush's war policies, he still feels obligated to fulfill his duty. ... This is the exact opposite of what is done by those supporters of the war who would never dream of fighting in it themselves or sending their own children to fight in it." To the editor:
Alex Cornell du Houx is an exceptional young man, and yet an average American. His story is no more or less tragic than that of every American soldier who has been summoned to Iraq to fight an unjust war. His circumstances make news because of his leadership role in the Democratic Party, his outspoken opposition to the war and his candidacy for the town council. That said, I have had the honor of meeting Alex on several occasions. He has always come across as an intelligent, thoughtful person with a sharp sense of humor. I am sorry to see him being called to serve in this war, but proud that when his country called he chose to answer that call. I, and many others, will be anxiously awaiting his return from Bush’s Folly in the desert.
What I find so ironic, so hypocritical, is the reaction from Mr. Schuberth. How dare he question any soldier’s “motivation” for serving this country? I call upon him, and his young Republican friends, to back up their rhetoric. I call upon them to report to the Navy recruiting center at 14 Middle Street in Brunswick – it is a mere three-block walk from the Bowdoin College campus. If they refuse to do so, I must question their leadership in vocally supporting a war in which they refuse to physically serve. I question their patriotism for criticizing a young man who, despite his views on the war and of his commander-in-chief, answers his country’s call to arms while they ignore our country in its hour of need.
Finally, to Alex and his brothers-in-arms I say, ”Thank you.” Semper Fidelis, and come home safely.
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