LEDGER FORUM: Writer shares letter from U.S. soldier

   Rest assured that my brothers and sisters in arms and I will fight to defend your freedoms against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. We will fight and die to give you the right to disagree with our leaders. We who enlisted of our own free will, will give our lives so that you can protest everything you disagree with.
   My fellow Americans, thank you for your support from waving Old Glory to praying for us. We will need your full support. We will need the young men and women of America to stand up and fill the gaps in our ranks. We will need the families at home to be strong and keep the economy going.
   We know that a lot of people are afraid right now, and we want you to know that we are not without fear. We are afraid that our country will lose faith in this war and shun us as they did our fathers generation of soldiers. We are afraid that we will fall in battle and the country will forget our children. We are afraid that this war could last until our children are grown and it could take their lives. However, our biggest fear, the one that drives us to be our best is that, if we don’t fight this war, terrorists will once again spill fear on to American soil. Next time it could be one of our families. With that in mind we will do everything within our power to be ready for you to call upon us.
   We have two things to ask, support the service members even if you don’t support the polices of our political leaders; and stand up for your fellow Americans regardless of race or creed. Remember we are all Americans. A great man once said "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

Staff Sergeant
Raleigh J. Heekin III
U.S. Army Infantry, 3rd ID
Camp Montieth, Kosovo

I just received this letter from one of my "adopted" soldiers in Kosovo and wanted to send it to you immediately. If possible, he would appreciate having it published. I am a Platoon Mom with AdoptaPlatoon, a nonprofit organization that supports our soldiers. At this time, I feel it is especially important to draw everyone’s attention to our military, those who protect the freedom we too often take for granted, and to point out that they need our support.
   Thank you for your attention. For more information about AdoptaPlatoon, visit www.adoptaplatoon.org.

Elaine Harmon
Spring Beauty Drive