Iraq war foolhardy, but troops act professionally

Copyright © 2005 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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In a recent letter to the editor (July 29), Roland Preble asked liberals to explain how they can support the troops and not support the war. Let me respond.

The U.S. military is the muscular arm of America's foreign policy. The folks who serve in the military know that they can and will be sent to a variety of locations to accomplish missions in support of that foreign policy. Their job is to go wherever and do whatever the president tells them to do until he tells them to come home.

No doubt, there are troops in Iraq who disagree with our invasion, conquest and occupation of Iraq. Regardless, they still take great pride in doing their job well, and they do not let their opinions of the foreign policy behind their mission detract from their professionalism. I know this from personal experience.

I vehemently disagree with this war, but I still want our troops to succeed. I want every bullet they fire to find its target and every one fired at them to miss. I pray for their safe return.

Many Republicans were opposed to President Clinton's actions in Bosnia. Did that mean that they didn't support our troops?

I fervently support our troops. I also believe that the war in Iraq is foolhardy, will not make us safer and will end up creating more enemies for America. Please tell Preble those two positions are not mutually exclusive.

Virgil Bozeman III

Commander, retired

U.S. Naval Reserve

Augusta

victorbravo3@juno.com