Photo does soldiers an injustice

I am responding to the short article describing the photo of the

week by Mr. Sean Hiller. I was slightly appalled at the fact that

images of “dead” American soldiers (as I assumed that is what the UC

Irvine students were imitating) would create such “photo

opportunities” and “great pictures.”

There is nothing great about war. Nothing to be proud of, as

everyone, on both sides, suffers. The only thing great about war is

the American soldier, thousands of miles from home, fighting for a

cause, freedom, justice and peace; that is worth dying for.

Soldiers do not invite war. Soldiers do not wish for war. Why?

Because they are the ones who will be shot at. They are the ones who

will have artillery raining down on them. They are the ones who will

live for days with chemical suits on because some madman wants to

attack our homes.

I just wish Hiller and the UCI protesters understood war and the

American soldier. They have probably never slept in the mud and rain.

Or have missed meals because the supply trucks have been “ambushed”

during training events. If anti-war protesters only took the time to

understand those they hate so much, maybe they would appreciate that

the freedom to protest is protected by those they hate.

RYAN WILLIAMS

Lieutenant, U.S. Army

Corona del Mar High School

Class of 1997