Get our troops home now

To the Editor:

I am writing this letter on behalf of the Buckley family. Recently, Lance Cpl. Gregory T. Buckley was cowardly gunned down, unarmed, while on duty in southern Afghanistan. We all want, demand, that our troops be evacuated, totally, now.

A prolonged withdrawal just adds to the mortality rate. Anyone familiar with Afghan history knows it has tribal wars and will continue to do so after we are gone. The Victorian British army, Russian and now America and its allies will continue to be killed and maimed because of very weak reasoning.

The first presidential candidate who endorses our view will be the next president of the United States. My son Greg’s Facebook has, in a short period of time, had 18,000 likes.

Finally, we offer our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to our friends, neighbors, officials, police and, in particular, elected representatives, St. Agnes Cathedral and the Ocean-side Fire Department. We would also like to thank everyone who offered their prayers and support, all of the Nassau and Suffolk county police, Vanella’s Funeral Chapel and everyone who comprised the honor guard and motorcade for the funeral procession.

Theodore A. Buckley

Brooklyn

Theodore Buckley is the grandfather of Lance Cpl. Gregory Buckley, who was killed in Afghanistan last month. His obituary appeared in the Aug. 16-22 issue of the Oceanside/Island Park Herald.