Marinelarena said that his call to duty is giving him added perspective.
He also cautioned students to be careful to make informed decisions about what war coverage they trust.
Marinelarena recommends the BBC and Reuters over CNN.
“Look a little past what everybody is telling you—if you stick to normative news sources, you’re only getting one perspective.”
He also said protesters should be thoughtful in their objections.
“I would hope that Harvard students separate the troops from their actions,” Marinelarena said.
It hurts when protesters call soldiers baby killers. “As soldiers, we have no option,” he said.
Students have their right of freedom of speech, but should remember that they can be against the war while supporting the troops, Marinelarena said.
—Staff writer Rebecca D. O’Brien can be reached at robrien@fas.harvard.edu.