Stripes letters, saluting Murtha's courage

[lebkuchen]

Saluting Murtha’s courage

John Murtha has been labeled a coward and traitor by some of the supporters of this fiasco that’s killing my fellow soldiers needlessly. Well, just remember that the reason you don’t hear more from soldiers such as myself who disagree is the fact that many of these soldiers know that they will probably be denied rank, even though they work to accomplish the mission here, and will face retribution.

As for Murtha being attacked as a coward and a traitor, I will not stand by and watch a decorated Vietnam veteran being attacked, whether that veteran is a Democrat or Republican, because to me they are fellow soldiers (“Murtha owes GIs apology,” letter, Jan. 7). How dare the letter writer. I stand with Murtha and I salute his courage.

By the way, the letter writer would like to say I hide behind the wire every day, but I don’t. I either go out as a Humvee driver or gunner every day and will kill any terrorist who tries to harm or kill my fellow soldiers inside or outside of the wire.

Attack all you want, but remember we are not afraid of you, just as we are not afraid of those cowardly terrorists.

Pfc. Leonard Clark
Camp Liberty, Iraq

Murtha cares about GIs

As I read Sgt. Mark Russak’s Jan. 9 letter “Murtha owes GIs apology,” accusing Rep. John Murtha for selling out “soldiers in combat right before the end of a successful mission,” I had just finished reading about the downing of yet another Black Hawk helicopter with 12 Americans onboard, and all this on top of a terrible week in which more than 200 Iraqis and 12 U.S. servicemembers were killed.

I deeply respect Sgt. Russak and the American men and women serving in Iraq. But I would also like Sgt. Russak to understand why John Murtha is so passionate about his argument. This decorated Vietnam veteran and distinguished public servant simply cannot bear the loss of more American lives in Iraq. The Democratic Party did not coerce Murtha in any way, as evidenced by the many Democrats who do not share Murtha’s idea for a solution.

I was also dismayed that Sgt. Russak views the Democratic Party as “the party of the sore loser, the selfish whiner and the gutless coward.” Need I remind him that Gens. John Shalikashvili and Wesley Clark are also Democrats?

I would suggest to Sgt. Russak that he read John Murtha’s Dec. 14 letter to his colleagues before criticizing him for abandoning U.S. soldiers while still in the field, as Sgt. Russak put it. Mr. Murtha, as much as any American, Sgt. Russak, wants you to come home safe and sound.

Mike Liem
Ginowan City, Okinawa

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=125&article=34220

[Tsiyu]

1. Well-written and true

Our soldiers know the score, and they know Murtha is fighting for THEM.

[oasis]

2. Good letters. I hope our kids can come back before more damage is done.

[applegrove]

3. Soldiers should not be given "myths" to fight with. Was a time in

southern Africa when the people were fighting colonialism and their high priests told them if they just prayed - all the bullets shot at them would be turned to water.

Didn't work for them either.

[lebkuchen]

4. bump for Murtha

and Bush's idiocy in calling a critic of his policies a traitor, in so many words.