Letter of the day: Argue policy with Congress, but let vets speak

Updated: March 30, 2008 - 4:58 PM

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My husband devoted his life to our country for over 26 years. He died in Iraq on Feb. 1, 2007, leaving behind our children, ages 12 and 10.

It was reported in the March 25 news that Forest Lake High School had uninvited the Vets for Freedom to speak at the school due to callers' views on the war. I took my children to a different event to hear this group. I never heard a political message from these veterans. What I did hear was their personal experiences and positive statements regarding the progress made in Iraq. It was very similar to what my husband told us during his deployment.

Too often people's views on the war in Iraq are directed at our military and their families. Rather than supporting them, we protest directly at the military's doorstep, bar veterans from speaking about their experiences and lay our misdirected feelings right into the laps of their children. Many of those who don't support this war leave those who have served, along with their families, with the sense that serving is less than honorable. Did they learn nothing from the disgraceful treatment of our Vietnam vets?

Wars are not begun by our military. They are authorized by our elected officials. We elected those officials. If antiwar people feel the need to make their views known, I suggest they take it up with their elected officials, take personal responsibility for those whom they elected and leave our servicemen, women, veterans and their families alone.

I am able to look my children in the eyes and tell them truthfully that their father was a man of honor and integrity and that he served our country in this manner. I am proud of my husband, our military men and women and all of our veterans.

PAMELA METTILLE, WEST ST. PAUL; MICHAEL METTILLE'S WIDOW

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