Mr. Markham: “You were young, naive, and doing what you thought was patriotic. Your recent column in The Citizen, however, is inexcusable.”

Excuse me, but what part of free speech do you not understand. Mr. Garlock’s opinion is just as important as yours and many would think much more logical. I held off writing about your earlier remarks until now because I have learned that words spoken in anger are not effective. So many of your points came straight out of a liberal arts college education. You, sir, live in a fantasy world.

My younger brother was in peace marches while I was on the other hand in Vietnam flying some of Bell Helicopter’s finest products. We disagreed on the war but respected each other’s opinion. I loved Tim, did not agree with him, but would gladly have died to save his life and he mine. My brother felt a call to serve his God and developed his thoughts on peace while in the seminary.

Terry Garlock, Mike King, Tony Armstrong and I are also brothers, not in a genetic way, but with a bond that is much stronger than most will ever know. I have brothers all over this country, people whom I can call to say, “I need your help,” who without a doubt would drop everything and come at once. This bond is forged in a common experience and a mutual need.

Sadly, you will never know the joy that all those vets know. Nor will you ever be able to feel what every man and woman who served feels when they see our flag or hears the Star Spangled Banner.

That is not to say you may not feel pride in the country, but you, sir, have by the tone of your letter have only received from and not given to that country.

The war in Vietnam was lost not on the battle field but in Washington, D.C., by the politicians. We were wrong to be over there? I think not. After we left, the communist government killed or sent to re-education camps (read prison camps) thousands of the Vietnamese population.

If we were so much at fault for being in Vietnam, why are so many Vietnamese still trying to get to America?

I am not angry with you, I pity you. Opera Non Verba.

Edward C. Ragan, II

Peachtree City, Ga.

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