The Saddest Duty

Re “Marines Want Dark Tone Out of Dress Blues,” March 20: In the recent flap over the color of the uniform to wear when notifying the next of kin regarding a casualty, let me tell the Marine Corps a couple of things: It does not matter what you are wearing. It will not bring a loved one back to life. It does not matter which color you wear. They all mean death for someone.

If the Marine Corps would spend more time protecting its people, perhaps Marines would need to make fewer home calls. If the United States spent more time and money supporting diplomacy instead of exporting war, we would all have a reason to wear the mantle of peace.

Patrick J. Murphy

Corona