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‘WE WILL GIVE AGAIN’

The best way to grieve is to give.

As a former soldier, I know their training, I know their mind-set, to always give. “Take care of your battle buddy, give the shirt off your back for first aid and take a bullet for your fellow soldier — no one left behind.”

Everyone in Central Texas is grieving. I think people realize that we can’t continue to hold our breath in shock. We can’t live in fear. If you take the time to look around, you’d see how secure we really are. As I dropped my kids off at school last week, I took the time to thank the teachers and staff who protect my kids every day like a second family.

And what a comfort knowing that the military has trained so many service members, past and present, to help and protect our nation with combat lifesaving knowledge stored deep in their civilian brains to be acted upon at a moment’s notice in an emergency.

Frankly I have never felt safer, even after the tragic events in my own backyard.

We will move forward. We will heal. I’ve learned that the best way to grieve is to give. The victims of the shootings wouldn’t want any of their fellow Americans to hold in their love.

America is one of the most giving nations on this planet. And right now, Central Texas is circling its wagons for a big hug.

We are resilient. We will learn, adjust, adapt and remember. We will continue to love our great nation. We will give again.

Jannine Mayer

Killeen, Texas

ON THE SLIPPERY SLOPE

I was in complete shock after reading “Regs make way for religion” in the Nov. 9 issue.

While I appreciate the situation of Capt. Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi and others and applaud their loyalty to their religion, I am shocked at the Army’s cave-in on appearance.

These are not a group of special operators attempting to gain respect of a native people or blend in to maintain cover. These are soldiers. The Army, in my opinion, has taken not just a step up a very slippery slope, but has leapt half way up it.

As a Christian, I could, based on this precedence, petition the Army for a waiver to General Order No. 1 against alcohol in theater next time I deploy, citing the fact that my religion requires me to partake of communion using wine.

I was told things when I enlisted, as well. It is not hard to imagine the sorry state the Army would be in if every soldier who ever enlisted was allowed concessions to the regulations based on what their recruiter promised.

AR 670-1 clearly lays out how a soldier is to look. Uniform changes notwithstanding, it has not significantly changed in many years. I find it hard to believe that a captain joined the Army honestly believing the regulation would be altered just for him.

Maj. Michael P. Frank

Fort Greely, Alaska

If we take the logic of Maj. Gen. Gina Farrisee far enough, we can come to the conclusion that the Army focus is to cater to the needs of the individual instead of the needs of the service.

We all took an oath of office to join the Army. With that oath, we accepted some personal sacrifices with our freedom of expression. I don’t wear any religious garments or jewelry outside my uniform due to the acceptance that I must maintain military bearing and professionalism, which is a part of being a member of the Army.

With Capt. Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, however, it is OK because he is a physician. He is special enough to merit an exception.

If the Army Medical Department wants to loosen its standards, I suggest we separate AMEDD from the Army. It could be its own separate branch of service. It could be aligned with the Uniformed Public Health Service or some other organization that doesn’t have the discipline that requires sacrifice.

Then everyone could feel special.

Maj. Donald Michael

Quincy, Mich.

THE ONLINE NIGHTMARE

Army Knowledge Online is by far the worst e-mail system I have ever worked with. It has become so bureaucratic that it takes me literally 10 minutes to see that I have a message.

I know that some of this is due to low bandwidth because I am in Iraq, but don’t you think the “greatest Army on the planet” could come up with something more user-friendly for the people it sends to various places with low bandwidth?

This may not bother the people at the Pentagon. However, it sure makes life hard in Iraq. I can’t even begin to tell you the pain it is to load a document off the nightmare that is Army Knowledge Online.

If I have to keep using AKO here, I will probably be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Sadly, I am serious.

1st Lt. Morgan Lerette

Tawaitha, Iraq

SEND RELIEF TO AFGHANISTAN

I am writing in response to the article “Bored in Iraq,” which appeared in the Nov. 2 issue. Your paper is delivered to our home weekly and I read it thoroughly to keep up on current military issues.

My son is serving with the Army in Afghanistan. He has done two tours in Iraq and is the recipient of a Purple Heart. I have to admit that after reading the article, I became somewhat angry.

I understand that the soldiers have to obey orders and go where sent, but to have fully trained combat troops playing soccer, taking yoga and salsa dancing while my son doesn’t even get a night off and is constantly on high alert 24/7 seems a bit unfair.

I realize operations in Iraq are winding down, but why can’t some of these soldiers be sent to Afghanistan to help relieve the stress and fatigue of others?

I understand we still need troops in Iraq, but our guys in Afghanistan need help and, as a mother, I would like some well-deserved relief for my son and others. Thank you and may God continue to bless our brave men and women.

Karen Young

New City, N.Y.

PRESIDENT KNOWS SALUTE

They can say many things about our president, but this man knows the proper method of rendering a salute. I refer to the Nov. 9 issue [“A solemn reminder”] in which the president is at Dover Air Force Base, Del., observing the return of remains.

It is obvious that Maj. Gen. Daniel Wright, standing next to the president, needs to take lessons from the president on how to render a salute.

Col. Robert L. Vidrick (ret.)

Mechanicsville, Va.