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Shared experiences
Response to the news article "Troops Back From Iraq Relate To Vets "

I read with great interest about returning veterans Josh Krook and Aimee Osborne reconnecting in new ways with their fathers who had served in Vietnam. In many cases it takes shared experiences, albiet in different arenas, a generation or so apart, for our younger veterans to comprehend the similarities and not the differences between themselves and their older counterparts. Resources are available to these young veterans through Nationally recognized Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs). Among these are the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled Veterans of America and AMVETS (American Veterans). Our returning and serving troops should not overlook these VSOs as valuable support resources. Every one of these VSOs has strong ties committing them to our current efforts and assuring access after service to the rights our veterans have earned in service to our Country. By belonging, we who have served continue to serve the service men and women and their families, both active military and veteran. Contact one of your nearest posts of these VSOs and let us extend our experience and knowledge to help. After all, that's why we're there.

Where's the list?!
Response to the article "33 Major Bases Among Installations Targeted for Closure by Pentagon

I read the article with zeal, about the base closure list, and then spent ten more minutes searching your website for the list. And then the only list I could find was in a picture hidden behind a speaker. I think your article was just trying to raise the blood pressure of all of us. Where is the full list?

*Editor's note: the complete list can be found here (pdf). We apologize for any confusion.

Why exclude prior service?

Given the current recruiting shortfalls that are being experienced by the Army, I am curious to know why individuals with prior service were excluded from enlistment eligibility under the new maximum age limit?

Washington knuckleheads
Response to the article "Pentagon, Gen. Bell Not in Agreement on Post-Iraq Move of Troops, Families"

Why is it that the people most removed from a situation always think they know what's best for everyone in the situation? Gen. B.B. Bell is right on the money with his thinking. No one wants to go through a move to the states with their children, pets, and luggage in tow, by themselves. And only someone as far away as Washington would be knuckleheaded enough to even give an opinion about it. I wonder if that guy has ever had to do a PCS move with two children, and some spouses here have had as many as five. Why don't the people in Washington come over here and sit on the plane with us spouses while we deal with airsickness, ear pressure, teething, boredom and a myriad of other things parents will have to take care of on a 9 hour flight with their children? No volunteers? I didn't think so!

Our enemies

I am a recruiter in the Army National Guard, and in today's world it is getting tough. We do not have an enemy trying to blow us up or kill us, but we do have an enemy. Our enemies are the parents of kids we try to enlist, teachers and school staff, and the press. A great portion of our youth has no sense of honor and service to their country. It shames me that Americans were all about patriotism after 9/11, but they soon forgot.

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