Military atrocities at home and abroad

Re “Fire from the home front,” Current, Feb. 12

I will take former Marine Corps Capt. Nate Boaz at his word that he was an honorable soldier. He may not have terrorized or tortured Iraqis. The problem, however, is that others have. And they did so as American citizens, in our name.

That truth deeply troubles me personally and is a moral assault on our country. I’m surprised that Boaz fails to take those guilty to task, as they are the ones who have besmirched the reputations of honorable soldiers such as he. Boaz takes issue with those who call for withdrawal without a detailed plan for the aftermath. Too bad that same scrutiny was not applied to the administration’s buildup toward the war, which obviously was given little thought.

That responsibility does not, however, fall to warriors, which brings Boaz and me to what might be our one point of agreement: “That was the responsibility of our elected officials.”

Shame on them. Mercy on us all.

DWAIN WILSON

Silver Lake

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Re “For one Marine, torture came home,” Current, Feb. 12

It’s hard to imagine a more important national obligation than the treatment of physically and mentally traumatized veterans. And to learn that this treatment is woefully inadequate because of reduced Veterans Affairs funding literally defies belief. What in the world could we be better funding in its place?

Such items as tax cuts for the wealthy may be fine when they’re affordable, but not at the expense of veterans giving up the quality of their lives, if not their very lives, to defend us. If we can legally send young men and women to risk their lives in our defense, we must surely assume the legal responsibility for their medical care.

Ann Louise Bardach’s heartbreaking article says to me that this is not a political issue; it is a moral issue that demands resolving by any morally responsible government.

MARK ROSENBLATT

Westwood