Repentant Soldiers

Re “U.S. Bars 2 Repentant Japan Veterans,” June 25:

A Justice Department official asks, “Where does one draw the line and for whom?” in refusing to admit into the U.S. two former Japanese soldiers who admit and are repentant of their involvement in wartime atrocities. The answer is quite clear to me: We draw the line at their admission of guilt and their acceptance of responsibility for their acts. What more can we possibly demand of these men who want nothing more than to talk about these heinous acts they committed and to beg forgiveness for their behavior?

Please, at long last, let us show some mercy to those who admit their transgressions.

MICHAEL HEYMAN

Redondo Beach