KWVA Members Likened to Terrorist Suicide Bombers
In a message posted on the KWVA's official website at www.kwva.org on August 18, 2006, KWVA president Lou Dechert asserted that there is a "handful of warped individuals" in the KWVA who are liars and slanderers. He commented, "Individuals who are bent on destroying the organization resemble nothing so much as they do the terrorist suicide bombers with which American troops are doing battle around the world."
Election Results Nullified
Sometime in December 2006, KWVA President Lou Dechert in effect overturned the Year 2006 KWVA election results. Weeks earlier, he and his supporters orchestrated the removal of newly elected 2nd Vice President Nick Pappas, pressured Director John Edwards into resigning his position, and placed 1st Vice President Byron Dickerson on "probation." With Pappas and Edwards out of the way, Dechert then appointed losing Year 2006 candidates (and Dechert supporters) Jim Ferris as 2nd Vice President and Jake Feaster as Director. Ferris lost his bid for office by a clear defeat of 1368 votes for Pappas and 1297 votes for Ferris. Feaster had the second lowest overall votes for director, losing his bid for office with just 1801 votes compared to the highest winning vote (Marvin Dunn) of 2328. Dechert supporters say the KWVA president "went by the book" in appointing the losing candidates with the second highest votes. However, Dechert's opponents are quick to point out that the losers would not have had their second chance at gaining power in the KWVA if it weren't for Dechert's efforts to oust the winning candidates.
The overturn has left many members of the Korean War Veterans Association wondering, "Why have an election at all? Our votes don't matter. The KWVA is a dictatorship, not a democracy." The nullifying of the election results is an odd turn of events in an organization comprised of men and women who served in the Korean War to preserve the rights inherent to "freedom".
It is the personal opinion of Lynnita Brown of KWVAFirstAmendment.Org that the nullifying of this election is the worst abuse of power in the history of the Korean War Veterans Association. When certain KWVA national directors voted to nullify the ballots that elected non-Dechert candidates to office, their unspoken message to the members of the KWVA was, 'We like our candidates better than the ones you elected. You people are obviously too dumb to know what's good for you. Therefore, we've decided to oust your winning candidates from the KWVA. With those people out of the way, we can now appoint the directors of OUR choice. Your votes do not matter to us. If you don't like what we're doing, that's tough. You will do as we say because we have rank and you don't. Pay your dues, do not question us, and keep your mouth shut. Otherwise, you will be next on our chopping block.'
For this Korean War veterans fought and died in Korea? Someone needs to step forward to put an end to the outrageous conduct of the Dechert people currently running the KWVA. In Nebraska, state authorities recently stepped in to aggressively pursue legal action against a man whose conduct was perceived as harmful to veterans. Something similar needs to be done with the KWVA. Its half-million dollar assets need to be protected while legal authorities scrutinize board activities, review ethics and conflict of interest issues among board members, and study board spending practices via a thorough external audit.
Controversial "Code of Conduct"
Without vote of the Executive Council members or the membership at large of the KWVA, Louis Dechert requested that an Ethics and Grievance Committee (whose members were all appointed by Dechert) develop a "Code of Conduct" for the members of the Korean War Veterans Association. He called upon the membership to voluntarily subscribe to the code, stating that "most" members are honorable. He requested that if they subscribe to the principles set forth in the new code, they should sign the code by October 11 in order to be a "charter subscriber." Only a handful of members did so.
Following is the text of the Code of Conduct and member responses to it and/or Dechert's terrorist suicide bomber statement. Readers' comments are welcome.
Reaction to Code of Ethics
Reaction to Dechert's code of conduct was swift. Some members believe that Dechert's message implies that if a member chooses not to "voluntarily" sign the code, he or she is somehow something other than honorable. Some don't understand what valid reason there would be to have such a code. Others wonder why the matter was not brought before the Executive Council for consideration, discussion, and vote. Members (such as Lynnita Brown of the Korean War Educator) feel that the members of the Executive Council should reprimand and remove Dechert from office for his disrespectful, off-the-wall comment comparing members to terrorist suicide bombers. Some think that Dechert is using his position in national office and the KWVA website to strike out at those who oppose his administration. Many think that when the KWVA president compared anti-Dechert members with "terrorist suicide bombers" in an official message now posted on the KWVA website, he violated (several times) his own Code of Conduct. Furthermore, they have expressed concern that his remarks are over-the-wall and extremely detrimental to the organization in general.
Ken Buckley, Maine
President Wilson, obviously a seer, was obviously looking to the Bush years, and also the KWVA and its iron-fist rule - agree, or you're out, as echoed by Louis Dechert, president. Here's a man who cheered from the sidelines as John Kronenberger, Nick Pappas, Dick Adams, Lynnita Brown, Dale Brown, and many more, including this writer, helped torpedo an administration that existed purely for its own satisfaction and glory. I called the drive Take Hill 2004. It became the campaign slogan for defeating an administration that:
And all the time this was going on, Louis Dechert was in the cheering section asking us to lay it on. And we did! Besides mountainous mailings of letters written and mailed by John Kronenberger, most, if not all of this task financed by the writer himself. Others helped finance mailing of The Ferret published by Ken Buckley and mailed to as many members and chapters possible, with support from members eager to see a change in an administration that lost all sense of reason and common sense. It was a dictatorial self serving administration, so determined to retain total power over the 16,000 members, one current director--John J. Edwards--even threatened to pull the charter of the chapter to which Louis Dechert - the challenger belonged. So it was with unbridled power.
A simple gathering of veterans who served during the Korean War was the prime goal, with the ultimate goal to construct a national memorial in Washington, DC. This was Bill Norris's dream, attacked by other veterans groups, and the Washington bureaucracy, which even today is still quarreling over giving the KWVA a charter. We believed and still do, that the unseating of a president who served illegally, was a good step ahead.
So why is it now that everything we sought to overturn is back with us, only in more grotesque forms - censorship, accusations, name calling, threats, even conspiratorial operations to rid the organization of anyone who dares to speak out about association business? Why is it that people who gave so much of their time and money helping Louis Dechert get elected are now on his search and destroy agenda? Why? This man will not tolerate insubordination from within the ranks. His maxim is clearly stated: "Lead, Follow, Or Get out of the way!" Anyone who disagrees, even in discussion, if allowed, is subjected to quick disbarment. He has rewritten the mission of the organization, belittling the original goals to build a memorial and enlarge the membership through chapters scattered across the nation. The new mission is to "Defend the USA." He is running this association of mostly gray-haired retired old men as if they were members of a last ditch Army, quickly assembled to fight an enemy takeover.
Having watched as the emerging power quickly re-assigned or removed those who were part of a team that overturned an administration run amok and crazy with power, it's ironic--bitterly ironic-- that victory was so short lived, only to be replaced by a power, or authoritarianism, that is infinitely worse.
For myself, I didn't help create the first chapter in Maine and spearhead a bitter campaign to construct the Maine Korean War memorial, only to have my behavior compared to that of a "suicide bomber brutally attacking our comrades” in arms in Iraq and Afghanistan. At 74 years of age, this is a bitter, miserable, and sickening let down. Not just for me. But for all who have worked damned hard putting together and holding together this KWVA through some of its most shaky and unsettling times. If people cannot hold the reins in moderation while shepherding this little gathering of 16,000 old men without allowing it to swell their heads and egos beyond reason--then they should resign!
The statement of Lou Dechert comparing dissidence in this organization to suicide bombers is ludicrous, and should not go without challenge. That is, if this organization is being run democratically. The KWVA needs someone who is clear of the military shadow. Someone who recognizes that the membership of the old graybeards is thinning out each month, and can turn this militaristic and overbearing attitude to one of a friendly gathering.
Why is there so much bitterness? So much hate? Why is it a member cannot ask why the Treasurer's report has not been published without being castigated? The arrogance exhibited within the command structure of this organization is finding its way into the chapters. The "lead, follow" maxim being adhered to by militaristic fanatics who actually believe they are back in the service.
I'd appreciate comments to the above, as long as they are in complete agreement. Otherwise - watch out! Big Brother is watching.
Dale H. Brown, Illinois
To All: First, Mr Dauster said there were "Obstructionists." That is not the correct term -- there are members who disagree with Mr Dechert and his dictatorial way of administering the office of president of the KWVA -- that is all they are-- And any of the members that disagree with him are certainly not terrorists as he classified them -- that statement in his message of the C of C seems a long way out in left field to me, and should to anyone that reads it, whether they disagree with Mr. Dechert or not. The KWVA is only a Veterans organization, it is not a Military Unit, in spite of the president trying to run it like one or give out orders like he was in command of a Military Unit. We are a group of old men in a Social Organization so we can have reunions to meet up with some of the men that we served with on active duty--and we all know that, including Mr. Dechert. So why try to play Soldier again at this stage in our lives. I can say this with all honesty -- All of the members that worked to get the present president elected made a huge mistake. At that time he flew under false colors and didn't show his true colors until soon after the election. His first declaration of his true colors were his 2 e-mails to my wife, Lynnita Brown, as far as I know. Of course he may have shown them to others at that time too. I know I am wasting my time writing this, but hopefully the ad-hoc moderator will have enough courage to post it even though I disagree with Dechert and the Code of Conduct and many of his ways of being president. I still think the membership should vote on whether to accept the C of C as part of the KWVA official language.
An open letter to Mr. Lou Dechert:
As a Charter Member of KWVA Chapters #215 and #270 of North Texas and Staff Officer (INAC) of the United States of America Volunteer Homeland Security Service Corps (USA VHSSC) and National Defense Force Service Command (USVHSSC/CENTCOM), I take exception to your recent email, subject Code of Conduct referring to KWVA Dissenters as "...resemble nothing so much as they do the terrorist suicide bombers..."
Apparently you are not aware that these "Dissenters" are the truest form of Patriots. I recognize at least one member of your Charter Subscribers as a former member of my staff who will be hearing from me. There are many KWVA members who belong to these two groups and I am sure they will also take offense to your lack of common sense remarks. You owe an immediate apology not only to the "Dissenters" but also to the members of the KWVA for this unforgivable action. If this is not forthcoming in the immediate future I will refer this matter to my active staff in Washington, D.C. for further action.
Looking for "the good of the Order” - and for honorable conduct - in you! I approve this email for distribution.
I am totally disgusted because Lou Dechert has compared members who disagree with him and his administration as terrorists. That is a sign of a desperate man. Name calling by him is out of control. In all of my years I have never seen behavior like this by an elected official.
In Roberts Rules of Order there is a Section called, “ For the Good of the Order.” In Dechert’s messages he closes his letters with, “ For the Good of our Order. The use of our Order proves that Dechert feels the KWVA is his to do with as he dictates. Ladies and Gentlemen there is no doubt that he feels the KWVA is his to do as he wishes. His failure to call Council meetings shows that he wants to do everything himself and he has done that by excluding the Directors. None have received a phone call as stated in the By-laws. He makes changes even though those changes are required to be approved by the elected officials. He does not have the best wishes of the members first like they should be. He said it, “ Lead, Follow or Get Out of our way.” He and his staff are the our. The remaining members are supposed to follow and be quiet.
His recommended Code of Conduct also applies to him and his appointees. Yes, Bob, he has to go or be sanctioned. The sooner the better. Attend the meetings in San Antonio, Texas if you can.
I’m not sorry that I was instrumental in the ousting of Harley Coon from the KWVA presidency. He was a self-serving leader who treated the members like so much dirt under his feet. He stooped to all manner of unethical behavior in order to keep riding the KWVA presidential gravy train. He surrounded himself with equally self-serving wimps who were his enablers. He was a bully. He was deceitful. He was out for the main chance. Good riddance to that lousy past president and his spineless flunkies (some of whom, unfortunately, still hold national office).
While I am definitely not sorry to have helped rid the KWVA of Harley Coon, I will forever be sorry that I backed Lou Dechert in his bid for office the first go around. (I certainly didn’t the second round.) His shabby treatment of his fellow KWVA members not only equals—it surpasses that of Harley Coon. It’s bad enough that he swept the dirt from Coon’s administration under the rug, and that in a letter to me Dechert referred to certain KWVA Ad Hoc members as “senile”, “drunks”, “in need of a playpen.” However, by likening anyone who disagrees with his way of doing things to terrorist suicide bombers, he overstepped all bounds of common decency, proving that he is just another Harley Coon after all. Only he is far worse.
Like Coon, Dechert has forgotten that the Korean War Veterans Association belongs to its members, not to its president. He was elected to lead the organization in the right direction. As such he must be the kind of leader who is willing to follow the directives of the Executive Council. If Dechert insists on being a one-man band and usurping the authority of the only true governing body of the KWVA, the Executive Council needs to put its collective foot down and tell Louis Dechert to get out of the way. (That’s my take on “lead,” “follow”, or “get out of the way.”)
The window of opportunity for the KWVA to educate the next generation about the Korean War is closing rapidly. There is neither time nor room for another dictator in the KWVA. When Louis Dechert likened anti-Dechert members to terrorist suicide bombers, he lost all credibility as a good leader. This country is at war with thugs who get a charge out of slicing off the heads of innocent victims in front of video cameras, not to mention slamming hijacked planes into buildings so that masses of human lives can be claimed in one blow. Our young men and women are now dying and being maimed in increasing numbers to fight these barbaric fanatics and to defend freedom. How the president of the KWVA can then have the audacity to compare those in the organization who simply are voicing their anti-Dechert opinion to murdering cutthroats is totally beyond my comprehension.
Dechert’s so-called Code of Conduct calls for “proper decorum and dignity”. There is nothing “proper decorum” whatsoever in comparing one American veteran who disagrees with another American veteran to a “terrorist suicide bomber.” Louis Dechert owes the membership of the Korean War Veterans Association a huge apology. And then he needs to step down as president. He has failed the membership. It is as simple as that.
