Editor:

I have been inundated with emails and political mailings insisting that I should “support the troops” and “support our veterans.” What exactly does that mean? Do I engage in more symbolic acts to “support” them? Or do I campaign to improve the VA and service members' benefits? Or should I do both - or neither? Who are “our troops” and “our veterans?” The implication from both sides is that they are mindless robots. All having the same political beliefs and all being exact duplicates of each other.

I joined the active reserves in 1964 while a junior in high school and spent almost six years on active duty after graduation. Since enlisting, the members of the military and the veterans I have met represent a broad cross section of our society. From the Communist Party USA to the Church of the Aryan Brotherhood. From atheists to born-again Christians. From high school dropouts to PhDs. From the homeless poor to the rich engaging in excessive conspicuous consumption.

We are the same as you. We are you. I am sure that readers of this letter will not hesitate to answer the questions I have asked.

Terry Buckenmeyer
Veterans For Peace
Former SP6, US Army

appearing in the St.Augustine Record on 11/20/08