May 22, 2013
Charles Jenkins, the North Carolina soldier who deserted his Army post during the Korean War, crossing into communist North Korea, is back home. Jenkins, now 65, returned to his sister's home in Weldon to visit his ailing 91-year-old mother. Earlier Tuesday at Dulles International Airport, Jenkins tearfully told reporters he's very glad to be back, but that he has no plans to permanently move back to the U.S. Jenkins turned himself in last year and served 25 days in a military jail in Japan following a court martial. We talked with veterans in Roanoke Rapids and some say Jenkins should be forgiven for desertion and have no problem allowing back in the U.S. Other veterans believe Jenkins is a traitor and should not have been allowed back in the country. You can weigh in by taking our online poll.
