Local serviceman responds long distance to war debate

I was told that the letter I wrote to a family friend as well as a rebuttal of sorts was printed in the Acorn. We all know politics is always a fiery topic, and I hadn't intended on all of this getting blown up with my name being used amongst people I do not know.

I do however feel compelled to respond to the Jody Kepples and Mark Lukers out there.

First let me respond to Ms. Kepple by apologizing for the cost of this war. Unfortunately, aircraft, bullets and body armor are not cheap but are required to win a war. You can put dollars and cents on it all day, and say that your tax money is being wasted, but that's just a poor excuse.

When was the last time you really needed a cop or a fireman? Their salaries are more than double mine. I pay taxes, too, and I haven't required the assistance of any public service in quite some time.

Imagine all the free schooling that could be provided if we stopped paying police officers and firefighters. You might not, but personally I think they're worth the money. The ultimate price is, of course, human life.

And I have had to put body bags with dead American soldiers on MEDEVAC helicopters. I am well aware of the cost of this war, and make no mistake about it, Mr. Luker, I have not forgot why I fight.

What are you doing to make sure your kids will always have a place to play ball? Like it or not, this enemy is real and poses a very real threat.

Without a doubt, it was our reaction as a country after Sept. 11 that has made nations like North Korea think twice before acting on impulse. It is now known the world over that the United States will not tolerate being threatened or attacked and the consequences for such actions are immense.

Check your facts about millions killed and who is doing the killing. The insurgents in Iraq are killing thousands of innocent people every year. Meanwhile, I am told to not fire unless fired upon.

I would like to rephrase my "shut your mouth" comment, to "please watch what you say." I wasn't joking about the enemy getting motivated and U.S. troops getting demoralized by all the negative press from back home.

So please do us a favor and protest from your comfortable living rooms, or on the phone to friends and family- not on the evening news.

Finally, I want to thank people like Chris Schwarm and Kathy Munz (and her son in the Marines) for their support. It's people like you who make us proud to do what we do. Sgt. Jeremiah Waggoner U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Afghanistan