Series on war valor is outstanding

To the editor:

I was appalled at the Thursday letter from T. Lane accusing the Review-Journal of warmongering for printing on the front page your outstanding series of articles "Saluting American Valor." I vehemently disagree that these true stories of American warriors who performed unbelievable acts of courage are "not interesting." Indeed, each story is the first thing I read in my morning paper.

As for the contention that these personal depictions of the horrors of war "will probably end up killing some more young men," even less than careful reading of the material educates the reader on the dangers inherent in engaging in combat. Each of these service people heard the incoming rounds designed to kill them and their fellow soldiers, and each of them, although surrounded by death and splashed with the blood of their countrymen, found the inner strength to continue to fight, and even selflessly endangered themselves in order to rescue their wounded and dead comrades. This dedication did not come from the hope for a piece of paper or a ribbon or medal. Such sacrifice could come only from a deep love of country, and intense loyalty to their fellow U.S. fighters.

Politics should be put aside, and we should honor these brave Americans and learn from them, even if that education includes the fact that war is, indeed, hell. We can never repay them for their sacrifice, but their stories help us to understand the depth of that sacrifice.

It behooves all citizens to be grateful to our armed forces so that we can continue to have the freedom to read a newspaper, and yes, even to disagree with our country's foreign policy.

Mr. Lane should communicate his opposition to war to the lawmakers, just as we who agree on the necessity of the current wars must do. But the fighting forces themselves deserve nothing but the best.

Carol J. Gilleran

LAS VEGAS

To the editor:

I read with dismay T. Lane's insult to every American who has ever served our country as a member of the armed forces ("War mongering," Thursday). Mr. Lane seems to forget three very important facts as he castigates the Review-Journal for its excellent reports about the bravery of those serving us.

First, George Santayana said that those who don't remember the past are condemned to repeat it. It is questionable whether we would be engaged in this conflict if a former president had remembered the lesson of the 1930s: that appeasement doesn't work. He didn't confront the radical Islamists in the 1990s and our reward was the death of thousands of innocent Americans at the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

Second, he forgets that the members of our military are ordinary Americans who, for their own reasons, seek to serve the people of this nation. These young Americans are often suddenly and dramatically confronted with situations where they face death or serious injury. It is a testament to the quality of the American people that so many of our youth have the ability to not just rise to the occasion but to rise above it and respond with courage and bravery. Many of these risk their lives to bring others to safety when their very instinct cries out to save themselves. This kind of courage needs to be recognized and proudly shared with all those whom these young Americans serve.

Finally, he forgets the words of the liberal thinker John Stuart Mill, who in 1862 said, "War is an ugly thing. But it is not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling, which thinks that nothing is worth fighting for, is much worse. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing he cares about more than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature who has no chance of being free, unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."

So keep up the good work, Review-Journal. Keep reminding us about those who give of themselves in an unselfish manner to defeat terror and protect our country and us. My thanks to all who serve.

Michael W. Dunegan

LAS VEGAS