I would like to take this time to express my concerns, views and opinions of the ongoing attack on my beloved country from organizations within our borders.

First, I do not intend nor do I wish to attack the beliefs of any of my fellow citizens regardless of how wrong I perceive them to be. Second, when I say that this country is being attack from within, I am referring to anti-war protesters.

The beauty of this great nation is that American citizens have been given, among others, the freedom of choice, and those citizens who are against war are, and should be, respected for their beliefs; however, while I respect the beliefs of others to be against war, I do not respect their choice of protest.

It is my view, and only my view, that anti-war protesters demoralize our servicemen and women who volunteer to serve their country, and veterans who served and will serve again if called upon. This view is why I believe anti-war protesters are unwittingly providing service to anti-American entities who perceive this as a weakness of the American people and I find this unacceptable.

While protesting the war is harmful, attacking the very country which gives you the right to protest is disgraceful. I am referring to a group called; “Whidbey Islanders against the war.”. I am not impressed with your add titled; “Not in my name” in the Feb. 15 Whidbey News-Times in which Nelson Mandela’s quote; “The U.S. is a threat to world peace,” was used. It is clear that you choose to use this quote because you yourself view this to be true.

How dare your organization print such false, preposterous garbage? How dare you trample over the thousands upon thousands of Americans who have died for this country so that you can abuse your rights as an American? All of your members who have signed this add should be ashamed. You should be ashamed to look into the eyes of all the service members who you pass. If you want to protest, by all means, waste your time protesting the inevitable; however, there is no justification to slander this nation, the largest provider of humanitarian aid and comfort and the strongest advocate of human rights.

As of September 2001, we have been at war. Iraq is just a continuum of the big picture and is just as necessary as Afghanistan. I know this because I believe in my country to make the right decisions based on facts and not speculation. I do not want war; however, if it is the means for which my children’s safety is secured, I will welcome it, and if need be, I will serve and die. We did not ask for the responsibility of disarming Iraq but it seems that others who should be concerned have their heads in the sand waiting for the all clear. In the end, when all is said and done, instead of protesting, walk up to a service member and tell him; “thank you.”

Royal A. Gaffney

Oak Harbor