Sir,
I have sent my 2 step-sons to war. I did not make the decision. I did not push them towards it nor pulled them away from it. I allowed them to make their own decision.
Both of my son's, age 21 and 20, join the Active Army and the Army reserve, respectively. They did this in a post-911 world. Instead of going on to school, getting a factory job, or any other opportunity that knocked on their career door, they chose to join the military out of a sense of duty.
Now, to give you more information, they are my stepsons. I do not count them as such; rather I count them as my own. I would not ask for any change in their lives what so ever.
Yes, I am fearful for their lives. Yes, I am concerned about how many soldiers are dying in Iraq. But DO NOT consider the lives lost in Iraq as a deterrent for our presence in Iraq. We have had more people get killed on our own land than in Iraq in the same amount of time.
I agree that we entered Iraq on a misconception. I will not, however, allow your voice to dissuade my opinion that I SUPPORT EVERY SINGLE SOLDIER THAT SERVES OUR COUNTRY. I will not stand idle while people complain about the war and then turn their horrid views on our soldiers.
If you do not like why we are in Iraq, then talk to our commander in Chief. Talk to the families of the people who died in the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Talk to the mothers, fathers, wives, and children of those who heroically died in a solitary field, saving countless other lives.
If a man with a gun were to walk into a mall, someone would call the police to take care of the situation. Would you allow that person to stand in the mall and continue to hold hostages? To become a powerful person and never leave the mall again? Hussein held Iraq hostage. He had a vendetta towards the US. Any person with common sense understands that.
I have heard from my sons about their training and what soldiers are saying about this war. I have one son who is being deployed 'sometime later' and another who has already been deployed. My son who is already in Iraq doesn't like it there. He doesn't appreciate the climate, the hospitalities, and he says he doesn't like the locals. But he also says the interpreters who talk to the locals have heard it far too often that the people in their patrol area are very grateful for our presence in Iraq. They do not understand what freedom is and they will falter and fall while they learn what freedom truly is. My son says that regardless of what he has to go through, he is there to do the right thing.
He has seen soldiers die in front of him from firefights with insurgents. He has seen insurgents sneak into their camp and shoot a soldier. He has even had to kill an insurgent. I am so proud of my son, not for his works, but for his heart, his giving of his time, his dedication, his sacrifice. He has 2 children and a wife here in the states.
Do not tell me I do not understand the feelings of sending a child to war. I doubt you can fathom the feeling of being surrounded by soldiers and understanding that, in any given moment, these soldiers will give their lives to save mine. And every single soldier is doing that right now for America.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the families that lost loved ones in the United Kingdom. Ask those families what they think of terrorists. Ask them if they think we are doing the right thing in Iraq.
Mr. Donahue, I have seen you for a long time on TV. I grew up watching you (I'm only 37), I came to admire you. After seeing you on the O'Reilly factor I have lost all faith in you. But, as I pray for my sons and for all other soldiers in our military, I will pray that they protect you just as well as they protect me.
A Proud American and Proud (Step) Father,
Greg Klaus
P.S.
Mr. Bill O'Reilly, I would welcome you into my home any day of the week and stand firmly behind your convictions. Thank you for so proudly stating what I so fervently believe. My sons will continue to do their duty so you can fight their war here in America. God bless you!
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