Call to duty may be at home

Re “Soldiers’ daughter is on duty back at home,” Feb. 15

Concerning 20-year-old Audrey Delgadillo, whose mother and stepfather are serving in Iraq and left her at home to take care of her four younger sisters: It is hard to know what is more appalling, parents allowing a daughter who is barely more than a child herself to manage a complex household that would daunt many adults, or a government with a policy that sanctions it.

JOAN WALSTON

Santa Monica

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Come home, Mom or Dad, to your priority responsibility, caring for your four minor children who are suffering from your absence. Your 20-year-old daughter also deserves to live her young life without such overtime demands. The Army or Reserves will surely understand the leave of one of you for the sake of your children who desperately need you.

EVA L. BARCIA

Los Angeles

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This story revealed the absurd policy that the Army has developed to overcome troop shortages related to the Iraq war. Although I agree in supporting the efforts of our service men and women choosing to endure sacrifices away from their families, it is a poor decision by senior Army leadership to implement a “simultaneous deployment program for married soldier couples.”

Unit-level commanders should be embarrassed to consider or even allow joint deployment of spouses under their command. As a current Reservist and senior unit member (first sergeant), I would discourage members from considering any obligation and would strenuously advise my commander against it, as it is not in the best interest of any married members assigned.

I don’t believe hostile zones were designed to incorporate the greater risk borne by the children left behind by their military parents. I would be ashamed to even consider this program as “better serving our soldiers.”

MARIO ESQUEDA

La Verne