Finally, Mike Lacy writes a column (Nov. 12—about Veteran’s Day) worth the paper it is printed on and some yahoo had to criticize it. As a veteran, I greatly appreciated someone recognizing the efforts of U.S. servicemen to keep this country and other countries free.

However, I was disappointed with Tom Rogers’ response to Lacy’s column. Rogers portrayed the U.S. military as a tool for corporations to mobilize their own efforts to enrich themselves.

I found it interesting that Rogers jumped straight from the Philippine insurrection to Vietnam, without mentioning three important wars in between in which the U.S. was involved.

It’s ludicrous for anyone to claim that World Wars I and II were fought “to make the world safe for Coca-Cola.” They were fought to end the tyranny of the Kaiser and the Nazis. Imagine what the world would be like today if the U.S. was populated with cowards who “just say no.”

Also, Rogers made no mention of the Korean conflict. If there was no U.S. military in the ‘50s, there would be no democratic South Korea today. All Koreans would be living under the repressive regime of Kim Il-Sung. I can remember being on crowded buses in South Korea when elderly women would literally offer their seats to us out of thankfulness for the U.S. military.

I also hate war and dislike some of the situations the U.S. military has been used in, but I realize it is a necessity. When I see ROTC cadets in their uniforms and reservists going to serve their country for a weekend, I feel thankful for young men and women dedicated enough to make sacrifices.

One has to wonder why Mr. Rogers, considering his “abhorrence for war and the stupidity of the military,” would join the National Guard after learning about the “stupidity of the military” during his years in the U.S. Army.

Perhaps the benefits one receives from serving in the military outweigh Mr. Rogers’ so-called conscience.

Kevin L. Groenhagen

veteran

U.S. Marines