Oceanside, Island Park Letters to the Editor

Think before committing troops

To the Editor:

In Randi Kreiss’s column “Boots on the ground lead to boots in the ground” (May 7-13), Ms. Kreiss refers to the Pew Research Center’s findings that a majority of Americans support a commitment of soldiers in a more aggressive fight against ISIS, despite the lack of a meticulous plan and exit strategy.

I take Ms. Kreiss’s caution a step further. I question whether the majority would be the same if the military draft was reinstated. It is very easy to flex our muscles when we personally don’t have any skin in the game. The sacrifice is being made by the families whose sons, daughters, husbands and wives have done the actual fighting. Some of these families have unfortunately experienced the ultimate sacrifice. Some are our Long Island neighbors.

We have to ask, what was our sacrifice? We claimed, with the best of intentions, to support our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, but at what personal cost?

Were our taxes raised to pay for these wars, which were basically funded by the government’s credit card? Did we call or write our elected representatives about the number of veterans who came home without jobs, homeless and hungry?

Did we march in protest and vent our anger for veterans who were given delayed medical treatment due to scandalous behavior and secret waiting lists? This deceptive behavior allowed some of the managers behind this sham to receive monetary bonuses. Though improvements have been made, there are still veterans encountering roadblocks in receiving timely care.

Support for our troops has to go beyond tying ribbons on trees, bumper stickers, and celebrating holidays by overindulging in store sales, the beach and barbecues.

It is necessary to pause before we are so quick to put another large group of men and women in harm’s way.

Tony Giametta

Oceanside