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LETTERS IN THE EDITOR'S MAILBAG.

Article Excerpt
Byline: The Register-Guard

Fighting on won't make it right

As a mother of a soldier whose life has been forever changed by the war in Iraq, I can certainly empathize with Katie Dyer's feelings (Commentary, April 20), but I disagree that one can't support the soldiers without supporting the war.

Our military personnel are bound to serve once enlisted, and because of that, our leaders have an awesome responsibility never to ask our military to serve in a capacity that is less than honorable.This war is a grievous offense against our troops and the Iraqi people. To think that continuing it will somehow make it right is insanity. The futility of more death and destruction in no way honors those who have already sacrificed so much.

I fully understand wanting, even needing, to believe that there is some greater good which justifies our loved ones being maimed and killed, because knowing that there is not is so profoundly painful. I can't look into my son's scarred face and say aloud that what he and so many thousands of others have endured was for nothing, but my silence doesn't change the reality of what he and I both know.

Honor our troops, absolutely. Thank them immensely, and then offer your sincere apologies that our country has extorted the commitment they made to serve and protect by sending them to an unjust war to kill and be killed. War should always be a last...