February 15, 2025
Letter

Hager no draft dodger

In a letter to the editor (BDN, May 17-18) Norman Mrozicki of Surry questioned why Jenna Bush’s new husband wasn’t in Iraq and “sweating, bleeding and dying because his father-in-law [has told others] this is what their country needs them to be doing.” He feels Henry Hager shouldn’t be in the U.S. pursuing a graduate degree, getting married and starting a career. He makes it sound like Mr. Hager is a draft dodger.

I would like to point out that service in the military is entirely voluntary. There currently is no draft. No one has forced anyone to join the military. As difficult as it may be to believe, some people actually make an informed decision to join the military and serve their country.

Isn’t it time for people to stop treating soldiers as if they had no choice in the matter and honor them for the choice they have made? A career in the military is an honorable career.

Likewise, don’t castigate a person for not joining when your writing has the feel of being opposed to the war. That’s a position that would be indefensible because you have the essence of saying that you don’t appreciate someone’s views and wish they were in harm’s way.

Robert Greenlaw

Greenbush


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