I would like to take exception with the letter published in the Sunday, March 16, edition and written by William O. Adams. Have you, Mr. Adams, been to Iraq or even talked to anyone who has, or are you simply basing your opinion on what the media reports? If the later is the case, then it stands to reason that what you say could make sense.

I, on the other hand, have talked to some of those who have been there. My son-in-law, Army Sgt. Jeff Nelson, has served two tours there and my grandson-in-law, USAF Staff Sgt. Andre Byrd, has served one. I have talked not only to these fine young men but to others in the military as well.

Jeff told me when he returned from his first tour in 2005 that it would probably be necessary for us to be there for 10 years in order to see that country stabilized. He also has told me that there are many reconstruction jobs underway as well as many completed by the end of his second tour. Unlike what is so regularly reported in the news media, all of the people do not hate us and many are very friendly. I have pictures he sent me with locals there if you would like proof. The children love the GIs and often play with them when time permits.

Do you really believe after Desert Storm that they would trust us? I don’t, and can you really blame them? However, they are coming around. Now, I ask you, do you really think we should desert them again before the job is done? I feel that would be a huge mistake. No, I don’t want to see more Americans die or have my taxes raised. I am human after all. However, I am willing to send my loved ones back to help in this  if that is necessary, and they are both willing to serve again if called by our great country. They, as all the service persons these days, are volunteers who joined of their own free will. If they are opposed, then they can get out when their tour of duty is up. As for mine, I am very proud to say they are both making a career of it. So, I just want to say, lets give it a little more time.

I would also like to point out that all media are not as biased. The Big Spring Herald is a good example of a media outlet that truly seems to support our troops, and for that, I am most grateful.

Shirley Bodin

Big Spring