Many personnel never see combat

I have to take extreme issue with Wade Boyd’s railing criticism of Richard Kane’s call for respect due to the commander-in-chief (Tuesday letters, “Bush is veteran in name only.”)

Boyd’s statement that President Bush is a “fortunate son” for having served in the Texas Air National Guard (which President Bush met all criteria in and was allowed dismissal from), instead of in Vietnam, is plain wrong. Plenty of military personnel oversee day to day operations and never have a hand in actual combat, ever, yet serve our country admirably with honors. Are they not worthy of being referred to as veterans?

If Boyd’s disdain for President Bush was widely held, then I wonder why he captured the lion’s share of votes among the military in 2000 and 2004 (which Democrats are more than glad to toss away and not count at whim). I am most sure Boyd has utter contempt for former President Clinton’s record of non-service during Vietnam also being the “older veteran” that he is. I am sincerely sorry that partisan myopia occludes Boyd’s obtuse judgment.

You can’t have it both ways on the issue of respect – consistency is necessary.

Douglas Barrows

Granite Falls