Letter from a Soldier (to the NYC Protestors)

Wednesday, Sep. 1, 2004 11:51 a.m. EDT Soldier in Iraq Tells Convention Protesters

Captain Ron Hayes in Iraq sent us his response to protesters at the GOP convention who want to "Bring Our Boys Home!”

It has been interesting to follow the news reports from the Republican National Convention, to include the protests in New York by 10s of thousands of people. I am all for standing up for what you believe, which should include voicing your opinions against wars and against presidents, if that is your calling.

But, it really makes me mad when I see people with signs that say things like, "Bring our Boys Home!”. There have been several pictures published of protesters carrying flag-draped coffins, and carrying these types of signs.

The soldiers in Iraq, and Afghanistan do not want your sentiment, or your voice that would have the lives of those already lost dishonored by not finishing the job.

Regardless of how you feel about why we went to war, America made a commitment. It’s time we see the job through to fruition. Lack of resolve by many U.S. citizens is the main reason for a lack of trust on the part of those being liberated.

A letter that I had published a few monhs ago:

I read the article you wrote in the Courier Times about your experience in a protest against the war in Afghanistan and Iraq.

1. Don't kid yourself. Your participation in this anti-war rally was about as "unpatriotic" as you can get. You are holding a sign calling the President and Vice-President of America liars when America is at war. As you know, the President is the commander and chief of our military. He is the leader of every American soldier, sailor, marine and airmen in combat. It may be hard for you to imagine, but when a soldier puts himself/herself in danger, they pray and hope that their leaders are good and decent. They believe their leaders would not risk their lives unless it was absolutely necessary. Do you think seeing your sign calling our President a liar might affect them? If someone called your mom, dad or teachers "liars" in the newspapers would it affect you?

2. Our enemies read and watch the American media. When they see anti-war protests calling our President and Vice-President liars, do you think it might help them? Do you think it may boost their morale, help in recruiting or assist in fundraising? Do you think it may even make them believe that they are winning and fight harder?

3. You look like a happy young kid who grew up in a safe neighborhood where bad things normally don't happen. It is sad but most of the world is not like your neighborhood. There is evil in this world. I saw it on the morning of September 11, 2001, when people were jumping to their deaths off the World Trade Center because it was better to die hitting the concrete after a 100-story fall rather than being burned alive. I saw it in the evening of September 11, 2001, when my crying wife met me on the front porch of our house to tell me that our next-door neighbor was killed in the World Trade Center attack. I saw evil first-hand commanding a Special Forces A-Team in Afghanistan for 8 months. In town after town, I saw the mass graves of the Taliban and Al Queda's victims. In one single northern Afghanistan town, nearly 4,000 people were executed over a two-week period by the Taliban (imagine if that happened in your hometown). I met people who lost their entire families.

I visited areas in which every building and house (including the Mosques) were demolished because that Taliban wanted to teach the locals a lesson and send a message to the anyone who would dare protest against them. I have visited Mosques that the Taliban used to execute women, accused of adultery, by stoning. Stoning is where your feet and hands are tied up and people throw rocks at your head until you are dead. I have seen Al Queda guerrillas set bombs in fields to blow up children playing sports. I have seen them burn down newly rebuilt girls schools because it "offended" them. Should we turn our back on these people? If 9/11 never happened, should not these people be helped? Would you want help from America if you lived under these conditions?

4. I have seen, hunted, captured and killed America's enemies. I have looked into their eyes. They would think nothing of killing a thousand young girls like you if it would further their "cause." They would not hesitate to unleash chemical or biological agents on your street if they could. They have killed, raped and tortured their own people without mercy, what mercy do you think they will show America?

5. In all my traveling throughout Afghanistan, I have never once met a soldier who did not believe in what we were doing or met a soldier who thought President Bush was a liar. They are all volunteers willing to serve when America called and needed them. They all understand that we did not start this war, but we are damn well going to finish it. We are going to hunt down terrorists wherever they hide so that they can never kill Americans again. Should we all come home and just wait for the next attack on American soil?

6. I also noticed that the "Socialist Workers" and the "International Socialist Organization" produced your sign. Have you ever visited a socialist country? Have you ever talked to someone who has lived in one? There are plenty of people who have risked their lives to flee these "worker's paradises," from places like Cuba, North Korea, the former Soviet Union, Communist Vietnam, etc. to live in America. Go talk with them. Hear what it was like to live under the system the people who gave you your protest signs are advocating.

7. Yes, you certainly have the right to protest and demonstrate. A right paid for in blood by American soldiers. A right that is absent in most socialist countries. Just don't fool yourself in thinking that you are doing the right thing or helping democracy. Even the KKK has the right to have a demonstration.

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