I hear much about how the troops may feel about the debate on the war in Iraq. Some say any suggestion of withdrawing U.S. forces from Iraq is demoralizing the GIs on the ground. That is nonsense. American democracy is based on debate, and our troops in Iraq and elsewhere must accept this fact.
I was a young GI on the ground in Southeast Asia in the 1970s, and I have some experience of how American troops feel when their lives are put in danger in order to accomplish a mission. I remember the only thing I had on my mind during those days was staying alive and coming home safely to my family. I did not think or care about what politicians were debating back home in the states. Most of the Marines that I served with had the same concerns.
How much more can we do to help the new Iraqi government? We have trained their army and police force, rebuilt most of their infrastructure and locked up the dictator. What more do they want? It is time to begin pulling our men and women out of that country. Let the Iraqis fight for their country just as we did for our country in years past. I love my America, I served her honorably and so have those who are serving her today in Iraq. It is time to show how much we really value the lives of our servicemen and women by bringing them home to safety.
Lee M. Robinson
Florissant