David Campbell: Not supporting military

The writer of the Sept. 8 letter “Count me in” stopped standing for the anthem and saying the pledge years ago because it represents war and imperialism. Influenced by anti-American ideology obviously.

Well over 1.3 million American war dead; hundreds of millions freed from tyranny, including genocide and how much land and wealth did America take in return? We only asked for enough land to bury our dead, which are located in hundreds of cemeteries overseas. Trillions in U.S. wealth expended for the freedom of others.

Additionally outside of war, the first responders for worldwide national disasters is the U.S. military providing rescue efforts and material and medical aid without handing over a bill. No other country in the world does this and certainly not at our level of activity.

Puerto Rico and Guam like their present status and have in referendums refused statehood and independence. And we are still sacrificing to protect Europe, Korea, Japan, all countries once enemies rebuilt at our expense.

The writer’s actions are the equivalent to spitting on the graves of those war dead, not based on historical fact, and although a civil right, most certainly a selfish, indecent and dishonorable act.

This story was originally published September 10, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "David Campbell: Not supporting military."