Letter of the day: Obama's military bearing an example for GIs, civilians alike

Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Associated Press

President Obama, right, at Dover Air Force Base last week: His impeccable salute honored the fallen servicemen being brought back home..

Last update: November 6, 2009 - 10:21 AM

I am an avid reader of the newspaper.

I saw the photo of the president and other GIs saluting in Dover to welcome the military men home.

I was deeply impressed by the president's salute, but I thought the GIs with him were extremely slovenly in their salute. I am a retired master sergeant with 22 years' service. I relearned the proper way to use the salute when I attended the NCO Academy. I'm still so gung-ho when I see military men and women use the salute I get a lump in my throat.

I am impressed with the president's military bearing even though he is a civilian with no previous military experience.

BILL BAUMGARTNER, FRIDLEY; RETIRED U.S. AIR FORCE MASTER SERGEANT

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