Editor:
Today, as I was walking through the first floor of the Marriott Library, I saw something that caught my eye: a simple poster announcing that on Veterans Day, the Marriott Library remembers veterans.
I proudly served this great country for three years in the United States Army. I also have two younger brothers in the Army. All three of us have served overseas in the Middle East, and both of my brothers have participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, so I took it quite personally when I saw that someone had scribbled the word “blindly” before the phrase “serve this country.”
What kind of people are so cowardly that they believe it is all right to put something like that on a tribute to veterans? Even if you are opposed to the war, who are you to question the reasons why men and women choose to serve this country? And how cowardly is it to write what you think to be an intelligent and whimsical insult on a poster honoring the people who give you that very right? I knew full well when I signed up what I was doing, where I was going and what was at stake. My brothers also knew full well the ramifications they faced, yet they went anyway.
The thing that bothers me more than anything is that the snide comment labels all veterans as blind followers. My grandfather served in World War II, and I can’t think of a greater, braver, more visionary generation than that one. And you know what? That little insult is aimed at those veterans, as well.
When you decide to deface something honoring someone — before you start a senseless criticism and fling horrible accusations at those who proudly, knowingly and lovingly have served and still serve this country — maybe you should put your petty thoughts and heartless emotions aside, really read what it says and think about who you are really insulting.
In fact, I hope whoever was so brave as to deface the poster honoring veterans will be brave enough to make a public announcement about the stupid remark, as well as a public apology. I would suggest a big sign.
Mick RasbandU.S. Army Veteran, May 1997 to May 20004th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division