We must find a way to get troops home

Spring is right around the corner and beautiful summer is soon to follow.

We can all look forward to planting flowers, planning our vegetable gardens, sitting outside on warm evenings, and grilling food to share with family and friends.

Enjoying the smell of freshly cut grass, soft summer showers, rainbows and remarkable sunsets are wonderful experiences ahead of us. How great these simple pleasures are.

Unfortunately, 4,000 soldiers and Marines who came home in flag-draped coffins won't have these experiences ever again -- most of them teenagers, 20- and 30-year-old Americans.

They have been deprived of being able to live life to the fullest and to a natural end.

We can't bring these kids and young adults back, but we must figure out a way to end the senseless loss of our children and loved ones.

There has been far too much American bloodshed in the sands of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Steve Kogut Jr.

Des Plaines