June 1

Who's a hero?

Letters index(Click on date to jump ahead)

June 1 Who’s a hero? Enjoys Stripes Letters of support Not camping trip Too pampered Thanks for reassurance Safeguards in Rumsfeld’s sights First Command only in States Exchange rate an issueJune 2 Mail complaints Day care Pulse terrible A wild Stripes can’t be tamedJune 3 Day-care letter No censorship Right to choose is important Thanks for nothing Mail pales in comparison Far from letter-perfect serviceJune 4 Together in Iraq Mail service outrageous Wants something better Kadena High gets less ink Why hitch wagon to that star? Iraq civilian deaths significant Slow mail a big deal in countryJune 5 Thanks for treatment Soccer tourney Returning troops Thanks to chiefs The ability to ignore it exists TV Week had staying power What about the 2-70? Some heroes alive and wellJune 6 Still at war Two complaints Parenting response Three weeks too long for mail ‘Bullets, food and fuel’ firstJune 7 Memorial Day/Iraq coverage Supporting units Pulse has its place Cream and sugar Mail important Give Pulse’s space to news

I’m writing in response to the letter “What makes a hero” (May 4). I’m upset to hear that some people feel so little about the ones who are here with me doing the job the military has entrusted us to do, and do it without asking why. Why do some people feel that soldiers have to die just to be called heroes? My father and father-in-law fought in the Korean and Vietnam wars, one in the Air Force and the other in the Army. Both of them came home. To me, both of them are heroes in every meaning of the word. Both fought in the way the military saw fit. Both came home and started families. My father helped give me life, and my father-in-law gave me my wife to wed. Like them, I’m now far away doing what I feel is right and just in my heart. I have a family and two wonderful children waiting for me to come home and be with them again.

To Pfc. Jessica Lynch and the ones who brought her home, I say job well done and welcome home heroes!

Did the letter writer ever think of how that single mom got to the point of being a single mother? Was it drugs? Was it “a wrong turn” with a man who said he’d take care of her and then left after he got what he wanted? Did the writer ever stop to think that before Sept. 11, 2001, everyone saw firefighters as “just doing their jobs”? What job does the letter writer do that makes him a hero? What’s my job? I work on helicopters. I make sure the ones who fly the machines I work on get to go home to their families when this war and my job is done.

How dare the writer cheapen the lives of all those who have fought and will fight. How dare he say that my father is not a hero. How dare he say my father is not a hero because he came home to raise me and my brothers and stepsister. How dare the writer say that my wife’s father has no right to be called a hero because he went to war and came home alive.

All those who have ever fought and will fight for this great nation allow the writer to travel and see the world and let him write letters that hurt others.

I say a job well done to the many soldiers here in Iraq. They should keep giving it 100 percent. Soon we will be home with the ones who love us most, the ones we call family, the ones who will call us heroes.

Sgt. John P. NicholsIraq

Enjoys Stripes

My daughter, Lt. Col. Theresa Dremsa, is a nurse at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. She’s been mailing my husband, Matt, and I her copies of Stars and Stripes after she gets through reading them.

We are so proud of our daughter for serving her country and doing her part taking care of our wounded soldiers. She said they are really busy. She works the night shift a lot and said the patients are usually sleeping at 2 a.m. when she makes her rounds, so she doesn’t get to talk to them too much.

Matt is a World War II veteran who was a mechanic on B-17 bombers in England. Matt and I really enjoy reading Stars and Stripes. There is so much more news in it than the papers here. Stripes is to be complemented for such a good job of journalism. Theresa enjoys getting her copies, and I’m sure other troops do, too. Stripes should keep up the good work.

Thanks also to Pentagon Car Sales for sponsoring free copies of Stripes for Operation Iraqi Freedom servicemembers who are being treated at Landstuhl and the Rota, Spain, medical center. That is really thoughtful.

Margaret PetteraBoscobel, Wis.

Letters of support

I just want the editors of Stars and Stripes to know that I appreciate the letters of support to our troops. I felt touched by someone who referred to the Hispanics in the armed forces. As a Puerto Rican, I want to give thanks on behalf of all servicemembers, mainly the Hispanics. Thanks.

Ramon Luis GiustiPetty Officer 2nd ClassCamp Okinawa, Kuwait

Not a camping trip

This is in response to the letter “Camp conditions” (April 20). I’m writing on behalf of the men and women of Camp Bucca, Iraq.

I arrived at Camp Arifjan on Feb. 7, and I’m sure that it had less then than it does now. As I recall, it had hot showers, hot chow, morale, welfare and recreation, phones, a weight room and laundry facilities. I’m appalled that the writer had the nerve to complain about a place that soldiers out here would call paradise. The writer should try washing her clothes in a bucket by hand or taking a shower with about 30 baby wipes and a bottle of water. MWR, phones, e-mail and a post exchange are all faint memories of a paradise lost.

In one sentence, the writer wrote, “What I don’t like is shutting things down while the war is going on.” Well, I’m sorry that the war was such an inconvenience to the writer. What the writer needs to realize is that this was a war, not a camping trip. Soldiers were dying around her, and the writer was complaining about not having Pepsi or Mountain Dew. The writer should count her blessings that she’s in that paradise and not out here where the real soldiers are.

Pfc. Torey CavalierCamp Bucca, Iraq

Too pampered

This is in regard to the letter “Camp conditions” (April 20). It was written by a specialist at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

I’m in Iraq and have been since day one of the war. Before that I lived at Camp Coyote in Kuwait. Any of us here would gladly live in a whorehouse. The writer doesn’t have to deal with scorpions, snakes, spiders, etc. One can’t even compare the slight dust storms of Camp Arifjan to the sandstorms we endure.

I believe the writer has good showers, latrines, laundry facilities and a chow hall. The writer should try doing her laundry in a bucket and eating rations daily for months. More phone lines? It must be nice to call home on a whim. The writer can’t even realize the mail problem from where she is. Try getting a card six weeks late. Try having letters and packages returned to sender. E-mail? Please!

So the writer has to wait in a post exchange line. So what? She should suck it up. It sounds like she is just a little too pampered. No one who is living in less than the writer’s “poor” living conditions cared to read her sniveling. I wish I had the writer’s problems.

Sgt. Ron PerkinsIraq

Thanks for reassurance

I’d like to thank everyone for the overwhelming support and reassurance my fellow soldiers and I have experienced during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Not a day has gone by that we haven’t received a letter or package from a Veterans of Foreign Wars, a third-grade class or just someone who wanted to show us their unwavering support. Thanks. I also thank the family members back home who spent countless days not knowing where we were, not knowing when they’d hear from us again, and not knowing if they’d even see us again. I can’t begin to imagine what they went through while we made our trip north. All I can say is thanks.

Sgt. 1st Class Charles BrownIraq

Safeguards in Rumsfeld's sights

In the beginning, middle and end of his May 26 column “… but military must be able to fight in 21st century,” Donald Rumsfeld uses chilling scenes such as terrorists lurking in caves to prop up his argument that job security of Department of Defense civilian employees — and “unnecessary” oversight of Congress — are bogging down our military. Images of life after a DOD overhaul could be equally frightening. Soldiers being killed by defective equipment and vehicles because defense contracts were awarded to the company that made the biggest campaign contribution. A DOD where party loyalty could be rewarded, and whistle-blowers or people who questioned the ruling administration could be easily fired or reassigned.

The “red tape” and “bureaucracy” that Mr. Rumsfeld laments and employee rights that the administration wants to take away from DOD civilians, are, in fact, safeguards that prevent abuses and degradation of our military community.

It is true that dictators and terrorists are virtually unhindered in their planning and decision-making, and can “hire” or “fire” on a whim. However, I think it is frightening that leaders of a democracy would feel it necessary to have similar latitude in the running of the most massive, powerful and dangerous military in the world.

In the era of World War II and the Great Depression our country had a leader who said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” President Roosevelt knew as well as any lifeguard that fear leads to panic, and panic leads to death. Now the Bush administration seems to be pushing its agenda by saying, “Be afraid … be very afraid.” This talk could lead to terrible unforeseen consequences.

Hopefully Congress has the courage to carefully study the proposed transformation before making momentous decisions such as these. Over the last two years our military and Department of Defense have shown that they are strong and flexible enough to quickly deal with serious threats and protect our country. There is no need to panic or act rashly.

Andrew MakoSeoul

First Command only in Stripes

The May 11 Stripes Sunday article “Money in the bank” contained a chart titled “Banking options for servicemembers in the Pacific.” This chart listed several bank and credit union options available on base in the Pacific but included just one option, First Command Bank, under the heading “In States for military.” While First Command Bank is an option for servicemembers in the States, just as several thousand other banks and credit unions are, unlike the banks and credit unions listed in the chart for the Pacific, it is not one of the banks authorized by the Department of Defense to operate on a military installation.

There are, however, approximately 40 other banks, many with names well known to service personnel, that are approved by DOD to operate on the more than 100 military installations in the States.

Henry W. Neill Jr.Executive vice presidentAssociation of Military Banks of AmericaSpringfield, Va.

Exchange rate an issue

I’d like to shed some light on a problem I had recently at Community Bank. I went to our local bank in Mannheim, Germany, and bought 100 British pounds, for which I was charged $173, or $1.73 per pound. When I asked about the difference between the bank rate and the rate of $1.68 that was advertised on American Forces Network and in Stars and Stripes, the teller told me that the advertised rate had been wrong for the past couple of weeks.

I checked with the bank manager and the bank headquarters in Mainz-Kastel and was told that the advertised rate is only good in the country where that currency is used. Since the disclaimer in Stars and Stripes states that, “Military rates are available at military banking facilities in Japan and South Korea and in Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Iceland,” the information that I was given by Community Bank personnel is either wrong or has changed recently. I’ve bought British pounds on several occasions and have always paid the daily military exchange rate. It should also be pointed out that the international rate on a recent day was $1.64 a pound.

I understand that the bank has always charged more than the international rate, but to tack an additional 5 cents per pound on top of that is ridiculous. I hope someone will do an investigation into this problem and find out why Community Bank is being allowed to gouge its customers. I guess that’s what happens when a bank is allowed to operate without competition.

Bob CarperMannheim, Germany

June 2

Mail complaints

This is addressed to all the folks who have complained lately about mail delivery in Iraq and the Persian Gulf. Guess what? Wars can be fought and won without mail! Bullets, food and fuel are what’s needed to fight and win on any battlefield. Soldiers, sailors and Marines can fight and win without pay and awards, too. That stuff will get fixed, eventually. It’s like money in the bank.

Let’s get the priorities right. The families of Air Force Staff Sgt. Scott Sather, Army Sgt. George Buggs and Army Sgt. John Marshall are not complaining about mail delivery. They were honoring and mourning their loved ones on Memorial Day. These fine Americans are but just three of the more than 160 American military personnel who gave their lives in Iraq for the defense of freedom. This kind of makes late or lost mail seem trivial to me.

God bless all the men and women of our great military who gave their lives in the defense of freedom. Freedom is certainly not free.

Bill PaquinDarmstadt, Germany

Day care

I should have written this a long time ago. But when I read the letter “Sorry parenting” (May 29), I knew I had to say something. The writer said she’s worked in a day-care center in Wiesbaden, Germany, for two years and has seen poor parenting skills because parents drop their children off on training holidays or when the kids are sick. The writer said the kids act out because of this. She also said that she shouldn’t be expected to raise someone else’s children and it’s not her responsibility. Well, amen to that! I truly hope it’s not the responsibility of the day-care center staff at Hainerberg to raise anyone’s child.

A few months back I was outside with my daughter at the playground next to the USO cottage. The younger children were at the playground with their caregivers. The kids were between the ages of 1 to 3, maybe even 4. I noticed three caregivers with about 20 children.

One caregiver was climbing up on the play equipment with a group and the other two were sitting on a bench gabbing away. I noticed a boy, maybe 3, climbing up the straight ladder to the tallest slide. Halfway up, he fell down. He started screaming and scooting around in pain, holding his backside. The caregiver on the play equipment just looked at him and continued on. One of the caregivers on the bench ran over and started yelling at the child. In his screams of pain, the child kept saying he fell down and was hurt. The caregiver kept screaming at him. “I know you fell down, stop crying,” the caregiver said. “Where are you hurt?”

The child hurt his tailbone. It was obvious by the way he was scooting around on the ground without getting up. Yet the caregiver continued to scream at the 3-year-old to be quiet and get up. I didn’t see the caregiver check the child for injuries, which could have been as little as a scrape or as big as broken bones, considering the height he fell from. The third caregiver? Still sitting on the bench.

To me, this shows poor parenting on their part. Yes, caregivers are not these children’s parents and shouldn’t be taken advantage of. But when these children are in the care of these caregivers — often more hours than they are with their own parents — it’s their responsibility to nurture and teach these children right from wrong. It’s also their responsibility to treat these children the way they’d want others to treat their own kids.

If this is an example of the type of care in these facilities, I’ll continue to stay home with my daughter until she goes to school so I can make sure she isn’t treated like this by some caregivers who think their jobs are just a way to get paid. If caregivers think like this, they obviously need to be at home looking for another career.

I’m at fault for not stepping in when I saw this occur or filing a complaint. I also feel sorry for the mother or father of that child if the child suffered any injuries. Hopefully he fully recovered, not only from the physical injuries but also the emotional ones of having to go back to this sorry caregiver every day.

Tamika ChristieWiesbaden, Germany

Pulse terrible

I agree with the writer of the letter “Pulse magazine” (May 23). The new Pulse magazine is terrible. Stars and Stripes also managed to eliminate the most useful feature of its TV Week insert, which was the weekly television schedule. Of course the schedule had flaws, probably due to AFN’s unwillingness to understand the advantages of adhering to printed schedules except for emergencies. But TV Week was very helpful to many readers.

I suspect Pulse’s biographies of rock musicians, “celebrities,” and others may not be appreciated by very many readers. This was also a bad business decision. Many of us would keep TV Week for an entire week, so advertisers’ messages would get maximum exposure. Pulse is the first thing I discard on Wednesdays.

Charles KitchensBad Aibling Station, Germany

A wild Stripes can't be tamed

I am a 34-year-old member of the U.S. armed forces — sworn in, years ago, to uphold and defend the policies and principles of the United States.

With everyone’s attention focused on Iraq, Iran, Syria, North Korea and France, we seem to have lost sight of another reason why I, along with many others, serve the people of the greatest nation in the history of the free world — freedom. The U.S. Constitution provides the writers of the May 28 letters “Nothing redeeming in Pulse…,” “… so it should go away” and “Article gross — and just an ad” the freedom to express their views and opinions. The writers did so in a manner consistent with the historic writings of our nation’s founders. (You’re welcome.) That being said, I’d like to inform them of a few things they apparently don’t — but should — know.

I would like to direct their attention to the bottom-left corner of this page, where there are three small paragraphs. It says Stars and Stripes serves the Department of Defense. It does not work for the DOD. Still confused? I’ll try a different approach.

Stars and Stripes is a newspaper. The Oakland (Calif.) Tribune is a newspaper. The New York Post is a newspaper. They all enjoy the same freedom of the press that servicemembers serve to protect. They are obliged to give us all the news, however sick and raunchy some might think it to be. Do I approve of some of the content as far as children are concerned? Of course not. But that is where readers’ responsibility as parents comes into play.

Picture this: “Stars and Stripes” is in a hospital delivery room and is in labor … moments away from giving birth and becoming a parent … to your children. Sound far-fetched? Not really, if you consider the writers’ letters. To see what they wrote, this situation is ideal. They seem to be shirking off their own responsibilities as parents to an institution whose only responsibility is to report what’s going on in the world.

The writers should check their pulse (pun intended) … welcome to the real world. I fully agree that Stars and Stripes’ Pulse magazine does not belong in the hands of children any more than does a copy of Resident Evil — a popular, violent and gory video game. But neither Stars and Stripes nor Capcom, the maker of Resident Evil, gave birth to the writers’ children. The writers did! If the writers truly care about what their children are into, I suggest they get involved with their kids’ lives and stop wasting time trying to blame others for their lack of involvement in their children’s lives by writing complaints to an institution whose involvement only depends on them.

While the writers were writing their respective opinions, did they know where their children were and what they were doing? I bet they were playing Resident Evil online with the child of the writer of the May 26 letter “Pulse shouldn’t be in Stripes.”

I really tire quickly of folks who blame others for things that are their own responsibility. A lawsuit that brought the plaintiff millions of dollars because she was clumsy enough to spill hot coffee on herself years ago? The same cup of hot coffee she requested? I just know the writers couldn’t believe it when they heard that.

Larry JeffersonMisawa Air Base, Japan

June 3

Day-care letter

This is in response to the letter “Sorry parenting” (May 29). If the writer doesn’t want to watch or help raise other people’s children, then she should quit and maybe get a job somewhere else where she doesn’t have to work with “sorry parents.” My husband and I are both in the military, and we have two children ages 7 and 1. My job requires me to work after 5:45 p.m. and on weekends. I have to arrange for care after the child-care center closes.

My husband is currently deployed to Iraq, so I’m playing the single parent role now. If we get lucky and get training holidays off — not everyone in the military gets them — these are days I use to get things done without my kids. It’s much easier to go grocery shopping without my children. I also use this time to do housecleaning that otherwise wouldn’t get done.

If this means I’m a bad parent, then so be it. I’d much rather have a day to myself so that on the weekend I can sit back and enjoy my days with my children and not worry about shopping or cleaning.

I don’t know anyone who’d rather have someone else watch their children when they’re sick. If my children are sick, I have to go through a lot to be at home with them. The writer needs to realize that people in the military, especially dual military, sacrifice a lot to perform their jobs and have children. I guess if I’d also gotten deployed and sent my children back to the States to be with their grandparents, the writer would also categorize me as a “sorry parent.”

I hope all caregivers don’t feel this way. I know the Grafenwöhr Child Care Center in Germany has wonderful providers who are in love with my son and can’t wait for him to get there each morning. I thank them for a job well done and for helping me raise my son when I need extra help. What parents raise their children alone? None!

Rebecca L. PorterGrafenwöhr, Germany

No censorship

I don’t read everything in Pulse magazine, but I enjoy reading some of the stories about movies, concerts, shows, etc., which are the usual fare. I like the freedom of choosing to read or not read certain articles.

Stars and Stripes is not Christianity Today or any other religious publication. It’s not just for families. It’s also for single men and women. It appeals to the diversity among our military and civilian populace. One letter writer said he’s “... disgusted by what the military allows and considers family values.” But Stripes doesn’t set the standard on what family values should be. It’s neutral on the subject. Stripes’ policy statement reads: “... the contents of the Stars and Stripes are unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, including the Department of Defense ...”

If I didn’t want my children to see articles or pictures about sex or violence, I would read the paper first before allowing or not allowing them to read it. Publishing magazines with information about certain places of entertainment no more promotes involvement with those places than does selling cigarettes promotes chain smoking or selling alcohol promotes addiction. Censorship is for totalitarian governments. Let’s not go there.

Tom DriverCamp Monteith, Kosovo

Right to choose is important

The writer of the May 26 letter “Pulse shouldn’t be in Stripes” said he’s somewhat agitated about the magazine’s content because Stars and Stripes is a newspaper authorized by the Department of Defense and he shouldn’t have to worry about its content and screening articles for his children. Well, one of the things I appreciate about being a U.S. citizen is that I have the choice to read an article or not, watch a movie or change the channel, or listen to the radio or a CD. I enjoy that right, and I don’t feel that just because some people disagree about what is “appropriate” that these things should be made unavailable to everyone else.

I understand that we military members are expected to uphold a higher standard. But that doesn’t mean that all media deemed inappropriate should be censored. If this is the case, we might as well only stock the things at base exchanges that everybody agrees are appropriate, read only articles that are deemed inoffensive, and edit radio content so that no one is offended. This would mean that there’d be nothing available at base exchanges, absolutely no reading content would be available and we wouldn’t have radio stations.

My point is that no matter what is published, stocked or played, ultimately somebody somewhere won’t agree that certain items are appropriate. Sure, there’s going to be things in Stripes that don’t live up to the high standards the military lives by. But that doesn’t mean the newspaper is any less valuable to us. I’m grateful we have the services available to us that we do, and I’d never do anything to jeopardize their availability to other individuals who might actually enjoy them.

As far an inappropriate things in the workplace, that comes down to the responsibility of each employer and what they feel is appropriate. Common sense will usually step in with an answer. If those in a position of authority see something they feel is inappropriate in the workplace, it should be corrected on the spot. Of course, that’s in the workplace. We shouldn’t engage in acts considered unprofessional in the workplace. So Pulse magazine shouldn’t be read in the workplace.

What nobody wants is that same censorship to carry over into their homes just because somebody doesn’t agree with something being in a newspaper sanctioned by the DOD. Readers have the power to censor what needs to be censored within their lives, not what I read within the confines of my home. At times I don’t agree with some articles and feel that some things are inappropriate. But what I do is not read them. I respect the fact that others might want to read something I disagree with.

Senior Airman William SniderRamstein Air Base, Germany

Thanks for nothing

Thanks so much for the May 21 article “Sexplosion: Erotikmessen a pick-up joint — for exotic items” in Pulse magazine. And I really appreciated the May 21 article on Estelle Reyna as well, “For the boys: The ’Net’s most downloaded woman finds fans, friends in U.S. troops.” Maybe in a future edition, Stars and Stripes can let me and my teenagers know where the good European crack houses are.

For God’s sake, clean it up!

Patricia MulqueenThe Netherlands

Mail pales in comparison

I just finished reading the May 27 letter “Get Hill involved with mail woes.” I about fell out of my chair. I’m also stationed in Baumholder, Germany, and have had nothing but the best service from the Army Post Office and Consolidated Mail Room. I’ve had nothing but friendly service on this end and prompt delivery on the other end with letters and packages, some quite large, to Afghanistan, Israel, Kuwait and now Iraq.

From the start of hostilities, forward-deployed soldiers have written back to me by regular mail and e-mail to let me know when their packages have arrived. I and everyone else were pleasantly surprised that the mail was running about one to two weeks and sometimes less. That’s not really bad at all considering the logistics of the whole thing from start to finish.

Regarding the letter writer’s comments about her friend in tears because the mail is her only lifeline to her husband, I can offer a few suggestions: She should e-mail the soldier’s unit homepage postboard for family members to send messages. The 1st Armored Division has a great one. Stars and Stripes also has messages-of-support pages.

The letter writer also had a question regarding the state of morale of soldiers who may question whether their families care about them due to the untimely delivery of mail. I hope that’s not the case. I don’t believe it is.

The letter writer also said, “It sounds to me like somebody needs a kick in the butt because somebody is slacking in their job.” And who might that be? The clerks at the counter? The truck driver who pulls in each morning around 6 for pickup and delivery? I truly hope the writer is not thinking about the soldiers who have been given additional duty as mail handlers in theater. They have enough to worry about.

The writer also suggested that everyone write their senators and congressmen about this. I, for one, will not take this advice. My elected officials are also quite busy mailing their own care packages to our deployed soldiers. I suggest that we get involved at our level and do what we can to support our deployed soldiers. Perhaps volunteering for a CMR or a unit Family Readiness Group is a good place to start.

Sgt. 1st Class Russ KaserBaumholder, Germany

Far from letter-perfect service

I’m a soldier stationed in Iraq at Baghdad International Airport. I’ve read many stories recently about problems with the mail system. I even saw the April 23 article “General: Mail flow improving” in which Brig. Gen. Sean Byrne said that 99 percent of the mail is flowing without a problem. This is a huge exaggeration. Mail even in Kuwait is hit or miss, let alone trying to get mail in Iraq. Once again, the military postal system has too few people, too much mail and no coherent plan.

Mail units are still coming in to service “forgotten areas.” We made coordination with the post office in Arifjan, Kuwait, prior to our move to Baghdad. Its answer was that there is no unit at Baghdad International Airport and there will be no mail flow until the end of May. It was as good as its word. We have just now started to get mail after being here for five weeks. That includes mail redirected and forwarded from Kuwait. The personnel command folks who handle this really don’t care.

Some soldiers try their best, but the system fights against them. Our mail stockpiled in Camp Dogwood for more than two weeks prior to any action being taken on it. We volunteered mail handlers to help. Not good enough.

On May 26 I received a box from March 27. My wife received a letter from Kuwait 90 days after I mailed it. It was mailed the day I arrived. What about soldiers who have to pay their bills out here? This has been addressed at all levels and patched only enough to avoid congressional inquiries. Our unit even had to have convoys drive mail up instead of letting the postal system handle it. I thought they learned their lesson in the first Gulf War.

This is the only thing many troops look forward to besides the always-slow redeployment. An issue such as mail can and does destroy the morale of units and makes it even harder to stay motivated under primitive and harsh circumstances.

Sgt. 1st Class Shawn TullyBaghdad, Iraq

June 4

Together in Iraq

My name is 1st Lt. Eugene L. Jolly III. I’m writing in regard to a reunion with my father, Sgt. Maj. Eugene L. Jolly Jr., while deployed to Iraq.

It all began before the conflict in Iraq in January, when my father notified me that he’d been activated for active duty for deployment with the 450th Transportation Corps Battalion from Fort Riley, Kan. About a week or two after notification, he departed for Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. A few months later, I deployed with my unit, the 17th Field Artillery Brigade, from Fort Sill, Okla., to Kuwait.

Before I deployed, we had limited contact with one another. But once I arrived in Kuwait, contact increased. In early May we reunited at Camp Anaconda, Iraq, where both of our units are deployed in support of V Corps operations.

It’s uncommon to be so far away from home and loved ones while preserving freedom, yet to be in the same location as my father and be able to see him every day is truly a blessing.

1st Lt. Eugene L. Jolly IIICamp Anaconda, Iraq

Mail service outrageous

My husband has only been deployed for three weeks. The last time I spoke with him he was in Kuwait, and he’d been receiving my mail. Now he’s in Iraq, and I haven’t heard from him. He said that he mailed me a letter on May 9 and I still haven’t received it.

Will my husband still get his mail in a decent amount of time now that he’s in Iraq? How long will it take before this “snail mail” matter is resolved? I’ve been deployed, and the longest it ever took a letter to reach anyone was seven days. This business of mail taking a month or more is outrageous and is a concern for all involved. Not having contact with a loved one via telephone is difficult. All we have to look forward to is a letter in the mail. No one should have to wait three weeks before receiving a letter.

God bless our troops in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I pray for their safe return.

Laura AllenDexheim, Germany

Wants something better

The May 27 letters to the editor concerning Pulse magazine asked for no more porn. I wholeheartedly commend the writers for expressing their opinions on the pornographic filth that Stars and Stripes publishes weekly. Perhaps we should boycott the newspaper until Stripes removes the insert. The Armed Forces Radio and Television Service and Stars and Stripes need to realize that honest, decent and hard-working families don’t want to read, listen to, or watch porn or immoral behavior. We certainly don’t want our children exposed to it, either.

AFN’s 107.3 FM radio station in Mannheim, Germany, plays objectionable, foul music lyrics during the lunch hour. “Gangster rap” is inappropriate during daytime hours. It should be broadcast when youngsters won’t be listening. The station also broadcasts the “Jonathan and Mary Morning Show” from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays. Mary’s lifestyle choices and opinions are a far cry from being remotely close to military values that wives hold dear. She often belittles married women who choose to stay home and care for their families.

There are numerous morning shows available from the States that are much more appropriate. One example is John Boy and Billy. They support the military 110 percent. I encourage anyone who is offended by 107.3’s programming choices to turn it off. Listeners should tune in to a German station or listen to free music on the Internet. Many stateside radio stations have such options on their Web sites. They’re labeled “listen live.” Listeners should tune out 107.3 and let the station know we want something better and won’t support its filth.

AFN television also broadcasts the situation comedy “Will and Grace.” The show centers around a lifestyle that can result in a servicemember’s discharge from military service. It’s also considered sinful by many viewers, yet AFN continues to carry the show. AFN also broadcast MTV’s “The Osbournes” on its family channel, AFN Spectrum. When I asked about the show’s appearance on the family channel, AFN replied that it was considered family entertainment and a great example of family values. I sincerely hope my military family never resembles the Osbournes. How would any reader like to wake up beside Ozzy?

Rhonda K. CouchMannheim, Germany

Kadena High gets less ink

I have been reading the Pacific Stars and Stripes since arriving on Okinawa some nine months ago and have noticed how biased the paper is in regard to the two Department of Defense Dependents Schools high schools here on Okinawa.

It seems the paper is partial to Kubasaki High School, especially lately regarding their soccer teams. It was amazing to see the press the Kubasaki female team got during the Far East Tournament: full-color front page, more pictures in the back and a big spread about the team. Yet the Kadena High School boys, this year’s Far East champions, had no pictures and the majority of the write-up talked about last year’s Kubasaki boys team (even mentioning players who have long since PCS’d), yet such a small part of it was actually dedicated to the new champs.

Mind you, I have no children in high school, but enjoyed the championship game nonetheless. To read the following day’s paper and see this great injustice Stripes did to the Panthers was really unfair. Then reading the June 1 paper, there again Kubasaki is highlighted with small mentions of the Kadena team. What happened to fair, equal reporting — especially since Stripes has a captive and relatively secluded audience, the military community in the Pacific? Do the right thing, Stripes!

Rod LyonsKadena Air Base, Okinawa

Why hitch wagon to that star?

There were recently two articles in Stars and Stripes about Cuba. They were of particular interest to me because my father emigrated from Cuba when he was a young boy. He barely made it to the United States, though, because my grandmother had accidentally packed a clock in their baggage that she did not declare to Fidel Castro’s officials. I cannot imagine living in such a strict regime.

Thankfully, my father and grandmother made it to the States safely, and I have never known oppression from my own government.

I have to wonder if celebrities such as Danny Glover have taken the time to educate themselves on the man they are defending in the press. I can think of many underdogs to defend, but Fidel Castro would never be on the list. I would think that Mr. Glover would find many more-worthy causes to support that do not place him on the side of evil dictators.

One of the articles regarding Cuba was recounting the plight of five educated Cuban men who risked their lives to plan an escape from Cuba. They ended up at the mercy of the winds and, instead of landing on U.S. shores, they landed in Mexico, starving and dehydrated. I wonder if Mr. Glover has met and spoken with any of these people before he formed his high opinion of Mr. Castro. Maybe if he did, he would realize that people do not generally risk their lives and brave treacherous conditions to escape from a free society where living conditions are fair.

Christina RolosonCamp Kinser, Okinawa

Iraq civilian deaths significant

This is in regard to coverage of Memorial Day and events in Iraq. Let me first give my condolences to coalition troops killed or wounded in Iraq, as well as their families; though I opposed the war, I appreciate that their actions were in service to an honorable ideal of liberation and protection, and I always lament death and murder.

Having said that, I must say that I am disturbed by Stripes’ slant of late. Unsurprisingly (and appropriately), much attention is given to the coalition troops lost. Little notice, however, is given to Iraqi deaths — in fact I could not find any mention whatsoever in recent editions. Estimates of civilian deaths range between 5,000 and 10,000, with some as high as 20,000, and it is obvious that many more Iraqis died than Americans, Britons or other coalition troops altogether.

Do Iraqi deaths, particularly those of civilians, simply not matter? If so, then this obviously marks a disturbing return to “might makes right” and “white man’s burden.” If Iraqi deaths do, in fact, worry us (as should all deaths regardless of race or nation), then why have they been ignored by Stars and Stripes? Surely Americans should be made to realize that we killed many thousands in their beds and in their gardens; perhaps then we would be far more cautious when considering war in the future.

This strikes at the heart of the situation in the world, between Americans and other peoples. I hope we can protect ourselves and help others without bombardment, assassination and intimidation; but if aggression remains our diplomatic tool of choice, then let us at least confront the full implications of our policies and atone for them. Let us admit that, yes, we did kill thousands (perhaps millions) in Southeast Asia; that we did (and still do) support nigh-fascist police states such as Indonesia, Guatemala and Saudi Arabia (to name a few of our “friends”); that sanctions did, in fact, help kill 500,000 Iraqi children over the last 12 years.

Better yet, let us restrain our martial impulses, assist the victims of our own and all aggression, and work to create a world order founded more firmly on freedom, justice and nonviolence.

Sean SanfordMisawa Air Base, Japan

Slow mail a big deal in country

We have a problem: The mail is not getting to our deployed soldiers fast enough. What are we going to do about it?

My father is a chaplain in the Army, and like many other soldiers he is in Iraq. My mom and I write to him every night, if not every other night. We send him a minimum of three packages a week, and that’s not including what we send to other soldiers who we know there. Out of everything we send, they are receiving maybe a fourth of it. The rest of it is sitting back in Kuwait waiting to be passed out. So if soldiers aren’t getting any mail, that’s what’s happening to it. It’s sitting back there in Kuwait until someone gets off his butt and passes it out.

We have no one to blame for dropping morale but the people in charge of distributing mail in Kuwait. Keeping morale up is a part of a chaplain’s job. But what happens when the chaplain’s morale drops? Isn’t it like saying: “Well, what is going to happen when Popeye doesn’t have any more spinach?”

I’m a total daddy’s princess, and right now it’s like he’s thinking I don’t think about him at all because he isn’t getting the mail I send him. He’s living in chaos over there. He’s doing it for me and my mom and he’s saving Americans’ butts. Its a shame when he can’t even get a small letter or an anniversary present.

Oh yeah, I’m mad. Readers just don’t understand the half of it. I can picture my dad reading this about three months from now, because that’s how long it’s going to take to get there. He’ll say, “Yeah, that’s my baby girl. Good job, princess. I’m very proud of you.”

My point is that many soldiers have given their lives in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and how many of them do readers think got more than a letter a month? Mail is what keeps them going another day, and who are we to take it away from them? I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. This is a problem, and we need to help get it solved. So readers should tell somebody and let’s get this fixed once and for all.

Kimberly MillerGiebelstadt, Germany

June 5

Thanks for treatment

I’m writing to voice my strong support for the 47th Combat Support Hospital at Camp Wolf, Kuwait. I was a patient there for almost a week. A couple of weeks ago I got caught up in a sandstorm in the middle of the Kuwaiti desert. I was thrown more than 40 feet into a vehicle and was hurt pretty bad. Eventually I was medically evacuated to Camp Wolf near Kuwait City for further evaluation. (A week ago, I was sent from Camp Wolf to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany to continue my recuperation.)

I was fortunate enough to be assigned to recover in Intermediate Care Ward 2 at the 47th Combat Support Hospital, where I received the best care that I’d ever experienced in the military. What’s more amazing is that the 47th CSH is a unit that apparently didn’t exist before it was stood up in Kuwait. The 47th CSH, I was later told, is actually a mixture of doctors, nurses and other soldiers from literally dozens of different hospitals, clinics and other medical units all over the continental United States. But one would never guess that from being in their care. The entire staff worked with a level of professionalism and cohesion that would impress any military commander.

There are so many people to thank who helped me get better that I couldn’t possibly name them all. But a few who stand out are 1st Lt. Resides and 2nd Lt. Thornberg, who helped keep my spirits up. Sgt. Bently, Sgt. Clark and Spc. Freshly wouldn’t let me slack off and encouraged me to get better. In particular was a special lieutenant colonel nurse. She never wore her Definitive Care Unit top in front of me, so I don’t know her name. But she helped me deal with the guilt of getting injured and feeling like I had abandoned my unit. She helped me see that it was an accident and that the best way to help my unit and their mission is to get healthy and rejoin them.

I can’t say enough about the 47th CSH. I’m so proud that it’s taking care of our sick and wounded. Its members are just as much heroes as the soldiers on the front lines. They know their jobs and do them exceptionally well.

Capt. Steve SelmanLandstuhl, Germany

Soccer tourney

The Ramstein and Kaiserslautern, Germany, military communities recently hosted the men’s and women’s Division I high school soccer championships. I’d like to offer my thanks to both communities for an excellent tournament. The tourney was originally scheduled to be held elsewhere, but due to world events and increased threat conditions, the venue had to be switched at the last minute. Ramstein and Kaiserslautern stepped up and put together an excellent program in a very short time.

I’d like to extend special thanks to the Ramstein high school staff, faculty and students who had their routines disturbed by many outsiders for two days of the three-day tournament. Despite increased traffic and a large increase in people around the school, the high school staff and students were great. The Ramstein Booster Club is also commended for providing food and drink throughout the tournament.

The play on the field was great, and the friendly atmosphere and dedication of all those who brought it together made the whole experience enjoyable. Again, my thanks for a job well done.

Bob PangrazziWiesbaden, Germany

Returning troops

Stars and Stripes recently had a front-page picture of a returning single GI with no one to greet her contrasted with a GI being greeted by his family. The previous week Stripes had an article about some spouses who were given 90 minutes’ notice of their loved ones returning from Iraq. While it’s sad that a single GI returns to no family members, it can’t compare to a soldier who has family members locally who don’t show up to greet him. That’s what happens when the chain of command and family support drop the ball.

As far as the case of 90 minutes’ notice is concerned, there’s no conceivable way that no one knew these GIs were returning until 90 minutes prior to their arrival. It’s reprehensive that the spouses weren’t given sufficient notice. Of course if I were given the choice of seeing my husband right away or him staying in the desert, I’d opt for the former. But not giving notice so that families can prepare is terrible.

With such short notice, I’m sure some spouses missed the call, were at work or out on a day trip. That leads to GIs coming home with no one to greet them. This happened to me when my husband was deployed to Haiti. I was told he’d be returning between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. I was told not to be disappointed if there was a delay. I went out for the morning and came back to the house at noon to get dressed. When I walked in, the phone rang. It was my husband. He was in his office. He’d returned at 11 a.m.

My heart broke. The kids were confused. I immediately raced to his office. I was more than thrilled to have him home, despite the heartache I felt about letting him down. To this day, I tear up when I think of him coming into that arena and seeing other soldiers greeted with hugs and kisses. My sadness turned to anger at the chain of command and the family support group that really let the ball drop. I was left a “notice” phone call on my answering machine at 10:40 a.m.! Only 20 minutes before my husband was to arrive! The officers’ wives were informed the night before and the enlisted wives started receiving calls at 9 a.m. or so.

This story came to mind when I read about the spouses who got 90 minutes’ notice. I imagined wives in the middle of house cleaning, at the store, or sitting at the beauty shop. I imagined the soldiers expecting their loved ones to rush into their open arms after all the separation and worry. I imagined the disappointment in these soldiers’ guts when they saw no one.

Single GIs don’t expect anyone to greet them when they return. Married soldiers expect their homecoming ceremony to include their families. Shame on any chain of command or family support group that doesn’t give sufficient notice to spouses so the homecoming meets that expectation. I can only hope that my husband’s chain of command doesn’t drop the ball this time.

Ruth RussellHeidelberg, Germany

Thanks to chiefs

Recently at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Naples, Italy, I was approached by Chief Petty Officer Dan Seaman. Chief Seaman asked me if I had a moment of spare time. I agreed and went to Chief Seaman’s office. The chief asked me if I’d be a guest at Naval Station Naples on Capodichino for a lunch and small ceremony. I accepted without hesitation because the occasion was the chiefs’ 110th birthday, and I’m a retired chief.

What I didn’t know was that I was the guest speaker. From behind the podium I looked out and saw all these sharp-looking chiefs in their dress uniforms and some sailors with their chiefs. I couldn’t say much because these chiefs, both men and women, were the best I’ve ever seen, and so educated, too. I’d like to thank the NSA commanding officer, Capt. Dave Frederick, the executive officer, Cmdr. Mike Molkenbuhr, Chief Seaman and all of the other chiefs there who supported me.

My career started in October 1941. I was put on retainer pay in 1962 and retired in August 1971. Those people out there made my life. As I approach 80 years old, this was the highlight of anything that ever happened to me. I again thank all the chiefs in Naples. God bless them.

That same week I came out of the barber shop at our NATO headquarters just as Adm. Jay L. Johnson, Chief of Naval Operations, was going in. He stopped and thanked me for just being me and said men like me helped in World War II more than we realized. I met him again two weeks later. My wife and sister-in-law were with me. He shook all our hands.

So within a three-week period, a four-star admiral and the chiefs of Southern Italy honored me. I thank them all because they’re out there protecting me and my family. I will never forget it.

Bob LawingNaples, Italy

The ability to ignore it exists

I have been reading all the complaints in the Opinion section due to Pulse. America is the land of toleration, freedom and open-mindedness, isn’t it? What’s wrong with these uptight people? If they are so concerned about Pulse, they can simply choose not to read it. And as for those with children, they can simply trash their copy of Pulse when they buy their newspaper. Problem solved.

The amount of uptight people amazes and shocks me.

Dave BoernerYokosuka Naval Base, Japan

TV Week had staying power

I agree with the writer of the May 26 letter “Pulse shouldn’t be in Stripes.” The new Pulse magazine is terrible. Stars and Stripes also managed to eliminate the most useful feature of its TV Week insert, which was the weekly television schedule. Of course the schedule had flaws, probably due to American Forces Network’s unwillingness to understand the advantages of adhering to printed schedules except for emergencies. But TV Week was very helpful to many readers.

I suspect Pulse’s biographies of rock musicians, “celebrities” and others may not be appreciated by very many readers. This was also a bad business decision. Many of us would keep TV Week for an entire week, so advertisers’ messages would get maximum exposure. Pulse is the first thing I discard on Wednesdays.

Charles KitchensBad Aibling Station, Germany

What about the 2-70?

I’m Spc. Robert Garcia. My unit is Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 70th Armored Regiment out of Fort Riley, Kan. We’ve been attached to the 3rd Infantry Division and the 101st Airborne Division throughout the entire war, from the border of Iraq to Baghdad and Tirkrit. We are currently in Baghdad.

Through the whole war I read Stars and Stripes. I read about the 1st Armored Division and how it’s always the first to fight and how some units in the 1st AD were here. The article listed them. But nowhere in that article did it say anything about 2-70 AR. We’re about to have three combat patches. Our lieutenant colonel received a Silver Star, and we even made it into the Chicago Tribune. But we still can’t get any love from our own newspaper. I guess Fort Riley doesn’t count.

Spc. Robert GarciaBaghdad, Iraq

Some heroes alive and well

I’m writing in response to the May 6 letter “It’s clear what makes a hero.” I’m upset to hear that some people feel so little about the ones who are here with me doing the job the military has entrusted us to do, and do it without asking why. Why do some people feel that soldiers have to die just to be called heroes?

My father and father-in-law fought in the Korean and Vietnam wars, one in the Air Force and the other in the Army. Both of them came home. To me, both of them are heroes in every meaning of the word. Both fought in the way the military saw fit. Both came home and started families. My father helped give me life, and my father-in-law gave me my wife to wed.

Like them, I’m now far away doing what I feel is right and just in my heart. I have a family and two wonderful children waiting for me to come home and be with them again.

To Pfc. Jessica Lynch and the ones who brought her home, I say job well done and welcome home heroes!

Did the letter writer ever think of how that single mom got to the point of being a single mother? Was it drugs? Was it “a wrong turn” with a man who said he’d take care of her and then left after he got what he wanted? Did the writer ever stop to think that before Sept. 11, 2001, everyone saw firefighters as “just doing their jobs”? What job does the letter writer do that makes him a hero?

What’s my job? I work on helicopters. I make sure the ones who fly the machines I work on get to go home to their families when this war and my job are done.

How dare the writer cheapen the lives of all those who have fought and will fight. How dare he say that my father is not a hero. How dare he say my father is not a hero because he came home to raise me and my brothers and stepsister. How dare the writer say that my wife’s father has no right to be called a hero because he went to war and came home alive.

All those who have ever fought and will fight for this great nation allow the writer to travel and see the world and let him write letters that hurt others.

I say a job well done to the many soldiers here in Iraq. They should keep giving it 100 percent. Soon we will be home with the ones who love us most, the ones we call family, the ones who will call us heroes.

Sgt. John P. NicholsIraq

June 6

Still at war

I’m Christopher Redmond. I’m 19 years old and I just finished my freshman year at Texas Tech University. My father is Senior Master Sgt. Chris Redmond. I’m at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, this summer.

It seems the media in the United States has gotten bored with the ongoing war with Iraq. If a random person in the U.S. were asked about the war, he’d probably say, “I thought it was over.” That in itself shows just how easily civilians can sometimes forget and move on, resuming their participation in the ever-present, speeding rapids of time. But I think I speak for all military members and dependents when I say that it’s not the same here. Our dedication to our country and its cause can be seen everywhere. Yes, we’re still at war with Iraq. We still have soldiers dying, don’t we? In the news we hear of our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters dying in the Middle East.

Yes, we’re still at war. You see it in front of the commissaries, in front of workplaces, in front of the movie theaters and the food courts, at the gates of the bases and even in front of our schools. Readers know what I’m talking about: big, concrete reminders of the looming threat of terrorism, those juggernauts that stand guard in our parking lots and on sidewalks and roads. These barriers and portable walls made of solid stone add safety to our everyday lives.

At the Ramstein Intermediate School and many other schools in the Kaiserslautern military community, these relentless reminders of the seriousness of our situation are turned into works of art reflecting what we’ve been fighting for. Freedom. Freedom of mind, body, and soul without the oppression of a tyrannical government. It’s this freedom that’s so beautifully expressed by the children of our community. Whether it’s landscapes painted with their little hands and fingers or mascots drawn by teachers and painted in by students, these expressions of the ideals we fight to uphold show that our community is dedicated to our country, its cause, and all those who protect it.

These works of art also show the beauty of our community and our ability to overcome such solemn reminders of the threats we live under every day. Most importantly, these works of art show that although some Americans may forget, we’ll never forget, and we’ll continue to accept our conditions and thrive underneath them. Yes, there’s still a war going on, and our families are here to support those who do what they have to do to protect the smallest of freedoms — every human being’s right to be beautiful and make the world the same.

I thank those at our schools who allow the defiance of terror and prominence of beauty that’s portrayed in art by the children of our community.

Christopher RedmondRamstein Air Base, Germany

Two complaints

Soldiers complain. This is a universal fact. Soldiers have much to complain about. Some things that we complain about can’t be helped. We know this. So while we complain, we “suck it up and drive on.” But two complaints that can and should be addressed are a reasonable selection of needed items and the receiving of proper customer service at post exchanges during war or peacetime.

When at war or on a deployment, GIs have one establishment to purchase from — AAFES. Out here in Iraq, AAFES has no competition. This leaves no motivation for AAFES to strive toward a higher standard of service. For example, soldiers (customers) should not be rationed. Soldiers (customers) should be allowed to purchase as much of whatever they need or desire in accordance with what they can afford.

I spent four hours waiting to make my purchases, only to find that half the items I wanted were not stocked. The items I could purchase were rationed. But there was a case of Tabasco sauce. That was nice. But the fact is that every Meals, Ready to Eat comes with Tabasco sauce. Most merchants pay attention to what their customers need and stock their shelves accordingly.

At the same time, most merchants treat customers with respect. Recently the cashier here addressed my squad leader as “chicka.” My squad leader pointed out that her name is “sergeant,” with her last name followed by the title. The cashier responded, “I don’t recognize rank.”

These situations deserve complaints and warrant some corrective action.

Cpl. Michael WelbornBaghdad, Iraq

Parenting response

This is in response to the letter “Sorry parenting” (May 29). I’m outraged that the writer’s a caregiver. The word pathetic should never be used when talking about kids and their parents. We working parents have every right to drop our kids off at the Child Development Center on training holidays. I pay a monthly fee, and if the CDC is open, you bet my kids will be there whether I’m at work or not.

I prefer to drop my kids off on training holidays so I can go pay my bills and run errands. That way I can spend quality time with my kids on the weekends doing something they like to do. Sometimes I stay and have breakfast or lunch with my kids. The staff at Fleigerhorst CDC in Hanau, Germany, encourages parents to be involved and spend time with our kids whenever possible.

I truly appreciate what the providers at FCDC do for my kids every day. I also appreciate that the providers are happy to see my kids and my kids are happy to see the providers. I also appreciate it when the staff lets me know if my kids aren’t feeling well. Sometimes I don’t always see the signs or symptoms in the morning if one of my kids isn’t 100 percent. It shows me that the providers know my children’s habits and that they care enough to respond.

I’m so grateful that my children attend FCDC in Hanau. The staff, including Mr. Larry the cook, enjoy seeing my children every day. If the writer finds this to be sorry parenting, then she should by all means please get another job in which she won’t be dealing with kids or we sorry parents.

Soni HensonHanau, Germany

Three weeks too long for mail

My husband has only been deployed for three weeks. The last time I spoke with him he was in Kuwait, and he’d been receiving my mail. Now he’s in Iraq, and I haven’t heard from him. He said that he mailed me a letter on May 9 and I still haven’t received it.

Will my husband still get his mail in a decent amount of time now that he’s in Iraq? How long will it take before this “snail mail” matter is resolved? I’ve been deployed, and the longest it ever took a letter to reach anyone was seven days. This business of mail taking a month or more is outrageous and is a concern for all involved. Not having contact with a loved one via telephone is difficult. All we have to look forward to is a letter in the mail. No one should have to wait three weeks before receiving a letter.

God bless our troops in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I pray for their safe return.

Laura AllenDexheim, Germany

'Bullets, food and fuel' first

This is addressed to all the folks who have complained lately about mail delivery in Iraq and the Persian Gulf. Guess what? Wars can be fought and won without mail! Bullets, food and fuel are what’s needed to fight and win on any battlefield. Soldiers, sailors and Marines can fight and win without pay and awards, too. That stuff will get fixed, eventually. It’s like money in the bank.

Let’s get the priorities right. The families of Air Force Staff Sgt. Scott Sather, Army Sgt. George Buggs and Army Sgt. John Marshall are not complaining about mail delivery. They were honoring and mourning their loved ones on Memorial Day. These fine Americans are but just three of the more than 160 American military personnel who gave their lives in Iraq for the defense of freedom. This kind of makes late or lost mail seem trivial to me.

God bless all the men and women of our great military who gave their lives in the defense of freedom. Freedom is certainly not free.

Bill PaquinDarmstadt, Germany

June 7

Memorial Day/Iraq coverage

This is in regard to coverage of Memorial Day and events in Iraq. First, my condolences to coalition troops killed or wounded in Iraq, as well as to their families. Though I opposed the war, I appreciate that their actions were in service to an honorable ideal of liberation and protection, and I always lament death and murder.

Having said that, I must also say that I’m disturbed by Stars and Stripes’ slant of late. Unsurprisingly (and appropriately), much attention has been given to lost coalition troops. But little notice is given to Iraqi deaths. In fact, I couldn’t find any mention of them whatsoever in recent editions. Estimates of civilian deaths range between 5,000 and 10,000, with some as high as 20,000. It’s obvious that many more Iraqis died than Americans, Britons or other coalition troops altogether.

Do Iraqi deaths, particularly those of civilians, simply not matter? If so, then this obviously marks a disturbing return to “might makes right” and “white man’s burden.” If Iraqi deaths do, in fact, worry us (as should all deaths regardless of race or nation), then why have they been ignored by Stripes? Surely Americans should be made to realize that we killed many thousands in their beds and in their gardens. Perhaps then we would be far more cautious when considering war in the future.

This strikes at the heart of the situation in the world between Americans and other peoples. I hope we can protect ourselves and help others without bombardment, assassination and intimidation. But if aggression remains our diplomatic tool of choice, then let us at least confront the full implications of our policies and atone for them. Let us admit that, yes, we did kill thousands (perhaps millions) in Southeast Asia; that we did (and still do) support nigh-fascist police states such as Indonesia, Guatemala and Saudi Arabia (to name a few of our “friends”); that sanctions did, in fact, help kill 500,000 Iraqi children over the last 12 years.

Better yet, let us restrain our martial impulses, assist the victims of our own and all aggression, and work to create a world order founded more firmly on freedom, justice and nonviolence.

Sean SanfordMisawa Air Base, Japan

Supporting units

This is in response to the letter “Finishing off the enemy” (May 13). Our infantry and the fighting forces who led the war in Iraq did a spectacular job, and I applaud their efforts and sacrifices. Their success dominated the war. But the success of the supporting units played a significant part as well. Without supporting units, the infantry and forward combat units would not be able to perform their jobs. The supporting units sacrifice to keep them rolling along. We push the beans and bullets up to them every day while the leaders move us faster than our supply lines can keep up.

I recognize the writer’s hard work and know he needs a break. But he seems to be putting blame on everyone else. I think every day about the soldiers up on the front lines. When soldiers here in the rear complain, I tell them they have no idea and to think of the soldiers on the front.

I hear people at Camp Arifjan complain when I’m hoping that no one took the napkins so that I can use them as toilet paper at Camp Virginia. When we sent our equipment to Camp Doha for preparation to ship home, I thought of the soldiers in the front and the things they’ve seen. They sleep on the ground. They’re on the edge all the time and never have enough sleep.

I sit here every day sweating my brains out, never complaining and assuring my soldiers that it could be worse. We could be with the soldiers at the front.

But I take offense to the writer saying that I and other supporting units aren’t doing our jobs just as he’s done his. My sister battery was the unit that was ambushed. We’re joined in what we do, because without support the war would have never happened. If I were next to the writer during a battle, I’d fight hard and valiantly. The writer should think before he opens his mouth and claims he’s the only one who did anything.

Sgt. 1st Class John L. OzengharCamp Virginia, Kuwait

Pulse has its place

After reading three scathing letters bashing Pulse magazine, I must defend an informative and targeted specialty section of Stars and Stripes. When Pulse was introduced, Stripes went to great lengths to make it clear that the magazine is not for middle-aged parents. Pulse is for young people serving overseas. I’d much rather have curious servicemembers read about an erotikmessen in a specialty section of Stripes and realize that it is or is not the place for them than for naïve servicemembers to explore a foreign culture with little or no idea of what to expect.

Pulse magazine sheds light on and dispels rumors surrounding “taboo” subjects such as piercings, tattoos, and lingerie, thereby educating a younger generation to the benefits and possible pitfalls. Those who dislike Pulse, which in no way increases the cost of their paper, should simply remove and discard it, or preferably recycle it. Pulse has a place in Stripes. It has just as much of a place as junior enlisted and junior officers have in the armed services.

How does the writer of the letter “Pulse article disgusting” (May 27) avoid the seminude billboards posted around town on the economy? I’d like the writer of the letter “Discontinue Pulse” (May 27) to know that my workplace commended Stripes for its tolerance and acceptance of an aspect of foreign culture. Finally, I commend the writer of the letter “Nothing redeeming in Pulse” (May 27) for discarding a section of the public forum which offended her. She should please let others appreciate that which she may find disturbing.

Spc. Christopher E PattersonLandstuhl Regional Medical CenterGermany

Cream and sugar

AAFES has done it again to the patrons at Panzer Casern in Kaiserslautern, Germany. First we lose our shopette, and AAFES moves a few items into the snack bar. A recent day was the ultimate.

After I bought my coffee in a small cup — AAFES hasn’t had large coffee cups for more than a month, but they’re on order — I looked for the cream and sugar packs on the counter. No cream or sugar were on the counter. I asked where they were. An employee said that AAFES’ general manager ordered her to hide the cream and sugar from the customers because in his words, “AAFES is not here to supply every office with cream and sugar!”

So now AAFES tells employees how many creams and sugars they need. They’re now rationed! Doesn’t AAFES give lots of money to morale, welfare and recreation activities? And it can’t spare cream and sugar to the Panzerites who have very few services on the casern?

Jeff WeberKaiserslautern, Germany

Mail important

This is in response to the letter “Mail complaints” (June 2). I can’t believe the writer would actually say it’s not all about the mail that GIs get downrange. The writer was correct to say that the soldiers were fighting a war. But has the writer thought about what’s making these soldiers live from day to day? Some of the mail that the soldiers get is their only means to know what’s happening in the world. And a lot of soldiers are living off of what they receive in boxes from their loved ones.

I’m sure that when the letter writer goes to his local mail room to check his mail, he takes for granted what he receives from a family member. So I think before the writer starts to gripe again about what people are saying about the mail, he needs to take into account what these soldiers are feeling who are fighting for our freedom. What if they were never to receive food, baked goods or even a simple “I love you” from a loved one? Or what if they didn’t even receive thank you notes for the jobs that they’re doing down there?

Tracy DavisHanau, Germany

Give Pulse's space to news

I’m very glad that Larry Jefferson wrote in defense of Pulse (“A wild Stripes can’t be tamed,” letters, June 2), and I’m glad he has the freedom to do so. I willingly uphold his First Amendment right to pursue freedom of speech. However, I’m saddened that he missed the point of those who wrote regarding Pulse. No one is asking Stars and Stripes to stop printing the news we need to make us informed citizens.

Those who want the information provided in Pulse can find 23 magazines to choose from at their local exchange — and endless opportunities on the Internet. Right now, the military population overseas has only one source of current news: Stars and Stripes. So stick to the news, Stars and Stripes! Why appeal to people’s baser instincts just to attract new readers? Publish an informative paper that everyone can read and enjoy.

The pictures and articles displayed in Pulse over the last few months are offensive to my wife and to me. Instead of provocative images, Stripes should create an insert with positive and helpful articles on women, men and relationships — one that all Stripes readers can enjoy and find beneficial. Talk about making marriages work and how to find and build friendships. Give us some news we can really use.

Jack StummeTorii Station, Okinawa

Migrated