Reader mail

As much as I miss the comments section, it has spurred some fantastic emails from folks in TN and elsewhere. I can't describe how uplifting it is to hear from people praying for the 278th and wanting to know if we need anything. If I haven't answered your comment or email, I will soon.

However, I also receive some viewpoints of a different nature that are worth discussing at length. No names have been used, so please read on if you're interested vigorous, though civil, disagreement.

From the mother of a member of the 278th currently serving:

Though my son just arrived in Iraq, I will neither be tying a yellow ribbon ('round my SUV?) nor displaying a flag. The best way to "support the troops" and get them home alive as soon as possible is to not give any support to a war (aka "the troops").

I understand your meaning. No political support for the war=early troop withdrawal. What you need to understand is that our enemy knows this and realizes it's his only route to victory. We're rolling up the bad guys like nobody's business over here and the only way we will lose is if a majority of Americans adopt your point of view. Thankfully, that won't happen because Americans support the President and can tune into more objective news sources than in recent wars.

Had he been sent to Afghanistan all those years ago to hunt bin Laden, I could have understood it. But Fast Forward to 2004: Like the bin Laden cartoon I saw recently said, "I'm Still Free - Are YOU?"

All those years ago? Ok, now you've entered Michael Moore-land. We went to Afghanistan to put a serious beat-down on the Taliban in the fall of 2001 because they planned to keep harboring terrorists of the 9/11 variety - OBL is a symptom, not the disease. Besides, three years does not a 100 Years War make.

The main point here is that Afghanistan and Iraq are part of the same conflict. The medal your son now wears is the GWOT - the Global War on Terrorism medal. Go here for details.

As for the "Are you free" bit, I'm pretty sure no one's burning books at Linebaugh Public Library in Murfreesboro or taking away a woman's right to vote in Rutherford County. Two things our enemies would like to do.

The only decoration I display is a white ribbon at home underneath my son's military photograph. Because white is for a child.

Ma'am, with all due respect, your son is a man. And you should be very, very proud of what he's doing to protect our nation and bring liberty to the people of Iraq. You did a great job with him.

Tomorrow - more mail!