USA - The patriots return
Ferdinand, Indiana, has always been staunchly patriotic. Today, the community is anxiously awaiting the return of soldiers from deployment in Iraq.
0:20
O-Ton
Paul Kemmerer
National Guardsman
These lads have been through so much no words can fully describe it. It is great that folks here support us so steadfastly.
0:39
In other American cities, criticism of the war is growing. However, here, returning soldiers are still hailed as heroes.
0:56
Zach Fromme (pronounced Zack Frommie) is a member of the National Guard and a volunteer militiaman.
Traditionally, the National Guards only served in America. But pressure on the military means they can now be deployed overseas on tours of up to two years.
Zack has spent a year and a day in Iraq.
1:25
Zach Fromme
National Guardsman
It is already hugely stressful, whether you are there for one year or longer. You have to watch out and be on your guard permanently. If you are not continuously alert, you can easily get caught out.
1:43
His wife hopes that Zack will not have to go to Iraq again. She fears for him and their young family.
When Zach and his colleagues returned from Iraq, the men were proclaimed local heroes. Then it turned out that one of them, Dustin Berg, had killed an Iraqi colleague and deliberately wounded himself so that he would be sent home. He had to return his medals and ended up in jail.
2:11
O Ton
Zach Fromme
We all have the right to defend ourselves. I can understand how things can get on your nerves and you can get carried away. If you find yourself in a dangerous situation, the priority is, above all, to protect yourself.
2:27
Kathy Tretter is owner of the local newspaper Ferdinand News. The story of the war veteran who was celebrated as a hero and then convicted of murder shocked to the whole community.
2:41
O-Ton
Kathy Tretter
Editor Ferdinand News
People do not have a clear cut, straightforward attitude to the war. But they do want to support their soldiers in every circumstance. And to fete their heroes Dustin was meant to be one of them. His was a terrible story.
2:56
The town of Ferdinand lies south of Indiana, in the so-called mid-West America. The name of the town is derived from the Austrian Hapsburg Emperor Ferdinand 1.
3:11
2300 people live here many originate from the Austro-Hungarian Empire and South Germany. A pastor founded the settlement in 1840.
3:26
The central European roots of the inhabitants can be clearly seen through inscriptions on the old gravestones in the cemetery.
3:40
Ferdinand is also home to the largest Benedictine convent in America. It houses 182 nuns and each year they are joined by around two new postulants.
The community is regarded as the social conscience of the region. Several nuns work in the local hospitals and schools.
They have made no effort to hide their rejection of the Iraq War, protesting against the invasion through public announcements, seminars and petitions.
4:07
O-Ton
Mary Dominic Frederick
Benedictine nun
From the very beginning, the war had never been a good idea either for America or for the Iraqis themselves. Society in Iraq is in a state of large scale disintegration. Then there are also the large numbers of American soldiers, killed there, to be kept in mind.
4:32
In the local High School, posters of 11 September 2001 hang from classroom walls.
Traditionally, one in ten students goes on to join the Army or National Guard. But in the last year that statistic dropped a mere three per cent.
At the same time President Bush is planning to send over twenty thousand additional troops to Iraq.
The feeling of doubt and hesitation over the troop build-up is growing - not only among politicians in Washington. The number of sceptics is also increasing in Ferdinand.
5:08
The high point of the scholastic year is the selection of the most popular couple among the final year students, an event that temporarily overshadows the controversy over Iraq. The winners will be crowned King and Queen.
5:33
On our behalf, the teacher asks the students if any of them has a family member who either is currently in Iraq, or has served there. There is an almost universal show of hands.
5:49
O-Ton
Kara Meyer
Student
Too many people have died there. Several people do not see the point of us being there, at all.
6:00
O-Ton
Jordan Hostetler
Student
If I die, as long as I do it for my country, it is OK.
6:07
But this patriotism is no longer universally shared. In the local bars, most people believe that as more and more Iraqi civilians are killed, the resistance is bound to intensify. Some people are even openly questioning the President.
6:22
O-Ton (Man)
I am against the war. Our President is an idiot. I am glad that his term of office is fast approaching its end.
6:29
O-Ton (Man)
We must struggle for democracy. If we pull out now, then the Iraqis are doomed.
6:36
O-Ton (Woman)
I am afraid that the war was a mistake. It is going to turn out like Vietnam. We must exit and bring our soldiers quickly back home.
6:44
John Marks cousin was hit by a grenade during the war. He was the first soldier from the local region to fall in Iraq. Eric Luekan (pronounced Liekan) was in the Marines.
7:03
His family filmed the funeral service. They are proud of him, of the fact that he fought for American ideology.
7:16
John Marks
Spokesperson
It is really tough when you lose someone from your own family. But he gave his life for us, for our country, for all of us.
7:27
Over 3,100 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq so far. But you rarely see pictures of the coffins coming home. The media glosses over the casualties. Nevertheless to an increasing majority of Americans, the cost of this war is no longer justifiable.
Ferdinand, Indiana, has always been staunchly patriotic. Today, the community is anxiously awaiting the return of soldiers from deployment in Iraq.
0:20
O-Ton
Paul Kemmerer
National Guardsman
These lads have been through so much no words can fully describe it. It is great that folks here support us so steadfastly.
0:39
In other American cities, criticism of the war is growing. However, here, returning soldiers are still hailed as heroes.
0:56
Zach Fromme (pronounced Zack Frommie) is a member of the National Guard and a volunteer militiaman.
Traditionally, the National Guards only served in America. But pressure on the military means they can now be deployed overseas on tours of up to two years.
Zack has spent a year and a day in Iraq.
1:25
Zach Fromme
National Guardsman
It is already hugely stressful, whether you are there for one year or longer. You have to watch out and be on your guard permanently. If you are not continuously alert, you can easily get caught out.
1:43
His wife hopes that Zack will not have to go to Iraq again. She fears for him and their young family.
When Zach and his colleagues returned from Iraq, the men were proclaimed local heroes. Then it turned out that one of them, Dustin Berg, had killed an Iraqi colleague and deliberately wounded himself so that he would be sent home. He had to return his medals and ended up in jail.
2:11
O Ton
Zach Fromme
We all have the right to defend ourselves. I can understand how things can get on your nerves and you can get carried away. If you find yourself in a dangerous situation, the priority is, above all, to protect yourself.
2:27
Kathy Tretter is owner of the local newspaper Ferdinand News. The story of the war veteran who was celebrated as a hero and then convicted of murder shocked to the whole community.
2:41
O-Ton
Kathy Tretter
Editor Ferdinand News
People do not have a clear cut, straightforward attitude to the war. But they do want to support their soldiers in every circumstance. And to fete their heroes Dustin was meant to be one of them. His was a terrible story.
2:56
The town of Ferdinand lies south of Indiana, in the so-called mid-West America. The name of the town is derived from the Austrian Hapsburg Emperor Ferdinand 1.
3:11
2300 people live here many originate from the Austro-Hungarian Empire and South Germany. A pastor founded the settlement in 1840.
3:26
The central European roots of the inhabitants can be clearly seen through inscriptions on the old gravestones in the cemetery.
3:40
Ferdinand is also home to the largest Benedictine convent in America. It houses 182 nuns and each year they are joined by around two new postulants.
The community is regarded as the social conscience of the region. Several nuns work in the local hospitals and schools.
They have made no effort to hide their rejection of the Iraq War, protesting against the invasion through public announcements, seminars and petitions.
4:07
O-Ton
Mary Dominic Frederick
Benedictine nun
From the very beginning, the war had never been a good idea either for America or for the Iraqis themselves. Society in Iraq is in a state of large scale disintegration. Then there are also the large numbers of American soldiers, killed there, to be kept in mind.
4:32
In the local High School, posters of 11 September 2001 hang from classroom walls.
Traditionally, one in ten students goes on to join the Army or National Guard. But in the last year that statistic dropped a mere three per cent.
At the same time President Bush is planning to send over twenty thousand additional troops to Iraq.
The feeling of doubt and hesitation over the troop build-up is growing - not only among politicians in Washington. The number of sceptics is also increasing in Ferdinand.
5:08
The high point of the scholastic year is the selection of the most popular couple among the final year students, an event that temporarily overshadows the controversy over Iraq. The winners will be crowned King and Queen.
5:33
On our behalf, the teacher asks the students if any of them has a family member who either is currently in Iraq, or has served there. There is an almost universal show of hands.
5:49
O-Ton
Kara Meyer
Student
Too many people have died there. Several people do not see the point of us being there, at all.
6:00
O-Ton
Jordan Hostetler
Student
If I die, as long as I do it for my country, it is OK.
6:07
But this patriotism is no longer universally shared. In the local bars, most people believe that as more and more Iraqi civilians are killed, the resistance is bound to intensify. Some people are even openly questioning the President.
6:22
O-Ton (Man)
I am against the war. Our President is an idiot. I am glad that his term of office is fast approaching its end.
6:29
O-Ton (Man)
We must struggle for democracy. If we pull out now, then the Iraqis are doomed.
6:36
O-Ton (Woman)
I am afraid that the war was a mistake. It is going to turn out like Vietnam. We must exit and bring our soldiers quickly back home.
6:44
John Marks cousin was hit by a grenade during the war. He was the first soldier from the local region to fall in Iraq. Eric Luekan (pronounced Liekan) was in the Marines.
7:03
His family filmed the funeral service. They are proud of him, of the fact that he fought for American ideology.
7:16
John Marks
Spokesperson
It is really tough when you lose someone from your own family. But he gave his life for us, for our country, for all of us.
7:27
Over 3,100 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq so far. But you rarely see pictures of the coffins coming home. The media glosses over the casualties. Nevertheless to an increasing majority of Americans, the cost of this war is no longer justifiable.