LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
War Soldier Says 'Let Us Finish the Job'
To the Editor:

This letter is in response to the letter titled "War Veteran Says Demand End of US Occupation in Iraq."

First, Mr. Archambeau, let me thank you for your service. Like you, I am also a war veteran. I am a veteran of the war you are demanding an end to. I served one year there and returned home in June 2006. Like most of our brave men and women, I volunteered to go to Iraq. Also like most, I would return again with no questions asked. I guess the reason is, unlike most Americans, I actually have seen Iraq and what really happens there.

You, like most Americans, most likely get your information from a very biased media that only talks and shows the bad. Yes, it is true that more than 3,000 American soldiers have given the ultimate sacrifice. Seven of my friends who served with me are among them. Countless more have been wounded, myself among them.

Well, that is all the media wants you to hear. They will tell you that Iraq and its people do not want us there. That simply is not true.

During my tour (in the Al Anbar Providence), I had the privilege of meeting many Iraqi citizens. They were some of the nicest and most appreciative people I have ever met in my life. They were very thankful to the American soldiers who have given them freedom, five new schools (two of which were for females, who have never been allowed schooling), two new medical clinics, and the underground sewer system, which they have never had.

Yes, before we came the sewer just ran down the street, causing many health problems. All of the children in the area now have up-todate vaccinations. Yes, this is the stuff our media does a great job of not telling the public here. Yes, we have dismantled the government and military there. Yes, more soldiers are dying there every day. However, if we leave now as you suggest and leave Iraq to the terrorists, it will not be able do defend itself.

Like I said, we dismantled its military. So Iraq will fall into the hands of the terrorists (by the way, the majority are not Iraqi citizens). They will have a safe haven to grow in strength and train until they can once again attack us here at home, which of course means the more than 3,000 soldiers who gave their lives will have done so for nothing.

If this is what you want as Americans, then please demand that our troops return home now and sit back and wait until the next attack on America, and pray that your family is not affected by the attack, because it will happen.

If, on the other hand, you are like me and the majority of our brave men and women, let us finish the job, get Iraq stable and able to defend itself, then return home knowing the terrorists now have a much less chance of having that safe haven, the chances of them attacking again seriously diminished.

It is your choice as Americans. Thank you.
Sgt. Lawrence C. McQuiston
                          St. Ignace