After reading "The War Room" (article, Oct. 27) on the war-weary combat veterans at Nevada’s Creech Air Force Base, I have to say: "Are you kidding me?"

I don’t understand the stress of "having to balance being active in a war zone and fully present at home." There are soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq who would love to see their families every day, and here we have people whining about the daily strain between bombs and bedtime stories. All the while these "warriors" lack the faintest inkling that they are experiencing war from the best of all possible vantage points — out of the enemy’s reach, [thousands of] miles away from Iraq or Afghanistan.

I understand the stress that must accompany seeing a vehicle destroyed on a TV screen knowing U.S. troops are inside, but it’s not the same as being there. I’m not trying to downplay anything, just provide some perspective. Seeing a truck explode from high altitude is different than being in the truck. It doesn’t properly relate to the sound of a bomb that disables your vehicle. You don’t hear the voices of the wounded in the same way, as they are not calling to you. It’s not the same as seeing and smelling the blood.

Many soldiers can’t deal with these issues with their families until they get home and the issues fester. The people in Nevada have the opportunity to do so right away. These airmen pretty much know they’ll make it home, barring some tragic accident. Servicemembers in theater don’t have that luxury.

These people need to count their blessings, get counseling and drive on.

According to an Air Force Web site, "Professionals cannot indulge themselves in self-pity, discouragement, anger, frustration or defeatism." The opposite is what I came away with after reading this article.

Sgt. 1st Class Joel QuebecCamp Liberty, Iraq

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