I found a comment by Capt. Warren Cook Jr. (“MDI man recalls war in Iraq,” BDN, Aug. 9-10) very out of place. He said, “The Marines are not sucking their thumbs saying, ‘We want to go home,'” in reference to media reports that some soldiers are complaining about how long they’ve been in Iraq. This implies that those who complain are babies.

The interview also stated Cook was never in imminent danger and now sits in his comfortable home on Mount Desert Island. My son is proudly serving in Baghdad with the 82nd Airborne Division along with many others. They are going to be there for many months to come. They are not complaining and are among the finest soldiers that we have sent to war. They did not shrink from the fight and pursued the enemy. They now continue to do their duty in 120-degree heat. Some were told they were coming home and then told they were not.

Two young men, who received their first training in the Hermon High School JROTC program, who have been shot at with AA guns, AK47s and RPGs, who had to scrounge for food and water for weeks because of insufficient supply lines, who have slept on floors or cots since last March, deserve an apology from Capt. Cook. They continue to serve and are not able to enjoy the cool breezes of MDI and are still in danger every day.

Also, a big thanks to Chief Bowers and Sgt. Copeland for their efforts in the Hermon JROTC to train two fine paratroopers from Hermon High.

Dave Stoll

Carmel