The price of freedom, ever more

To the editor: This is a reply to Richard Bennett: • Without America’s military our freedom of speech would be in jeopardy at the present time. Fascism, Communism and terrorism were and now are very serious about destroying our way of life. This is a very powerful thought. During the 9/11 attack 3,300 Americans lost their lives. Al Qaeda’s goal is “death to America.” This could mean the loss of 300,000 or three million American lives. We must defend against their intentions with actions. Our most successful actions have been taken using the U.S. military. • Another freedom is the privilege of dissent. Richard, you continue to express your protest over the Iraq War. Terrorists worldwide, our enemies, monitor protests in America. It is a fact that they continue to be emboldened by protests like yours. Veterans are very concerned about extending unnecessary danger to our military. The Iraq War and funding for the war was approved by Congress in March 2002. • There is one additional protest that is being dealt with. H.R. 5037, a bill introduced to Congress by Rep. Mike Rogers of Michigan, prohibits protesters from disrupting military funerals at national cemeteries. This is something that we hope you would not do as a protester. It is an abuse of our First Amendment rights. We certainly agree with the “Respect for Fallen Heroes Act.” • We have had successful leaders in America for many noble causes, however, they too could not have functioned without our military. • Any intelligence perceived as skewed is the result of the Congressional Intelligence Committees from both the House and the Senate. Going to war in Iraq was based on their intelligence gathered prior to 9/11 and up to February 2002. • Freedoms in America were greatly threatened during the Cold War 1946-1989, a 43-year period. After WW II, Communism was forcefully on the move worldwide. During that period there were serious threats of nuclear war. President Reagan was very influential in curtailing the Soviet threat through our superior military build-up and the eventual fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. • America’s response to the 9/11 attack has been very effective, as evidenced by no further attacks. Out of necessity America has taken the leadership. • America’s Constitution must be the rule in our land and not the International Criminal Court. • Torture and wiretapping have not been approved nor employed other than with Al Qaeda suspects worldwide. We are at war. The NSA program has been effective. • How grateful we must be for our current military serving worldwide. Young men and women, volunteers, who understand the need to deal with terrorists on their turf and not our soil. We have just commemorated Memorial Day. We must be aware of the deaths of our fellow countrymen during wartime and the families they left behind. Our freedoms were paid for with the lives of others few of us actually knew. That’s why they are all collectively remembered on one special day for now and for future generations. Richard, please join us in supporting our nation, our president, and our troops. Our efforts will be more effective and results quicker when we are united. Bob Fletcher and Robert Ritzer Nicholas P. Lesando Jr. Post 214 American Legion