To Back U.S. Troops Overseas, Make Going to War the Last Resort

I can understand some of Staff Sgt. William Hight’s frustration (letter, Feb. 19). However, I hope he will understand that there are many of us who honor and respect the people like him who wear our country’s uniforms and are willing to put their lives at stake to defend this country. Our concern is sending them to fight and die in a war that may not be necessary.

Many of us understand that war may be inevitable, but it should not be rushed into. We seem to have a president who wants war. That is frightening, as is an attorney general who is willing to trample on the very constitutional rights people such as Hight are sworn to defend. I want Hight to be fighting a war because all possible other efforts have failed. Sgt. Hight, I wish you well in your duties. I want you to be able to return home safely. I believe I can be against rushing into war and still be supporting you.

Mark Lees

Rancho Mirage

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I wish to thank Hight for his letter. My husband signed up with the reserves (U.S. Army) after 9/11. Since he had been in the military before, he and I knew with great certainty that he would eventually be called to full-time active duty and probably sent overseas. He is a combat medic.

I am immensely proud of him. He is honoring his commitment and will do the job he was trained for. I, too, support our citizens’ right to protest war. No sane person wants war. But only the very bravest remain willing to fight when war is a fact that must be dealt with. I pray for peace every day, and every day I prepare for the war that is to come. My husband says the life of a soldier is hard, but what is harder is the life of a soldier’s wife. So to all who are left behind, take courage and have faith, and know that your loved one is doing what few can and are willing to do.

Monica De Vargas Sisk

Venice