The military tour as show business

I am perplexed by your article, "Military Tour, the Trip of a Lifetime" about Mr. Dirk Beveridge's (of Barrington) visits to various installations on the east coast of the Americas.

It is commendable that he spent his own money to learn more about our service personnel's activities and that they put a show on for this group.

Apparently, Mr. Beveridge has been involved with various programs that benefit our people in the military and we need more of that type of commitment.

I would hope, however, he recognizes the only individuals invited to these special military tours are the same type that get invited to Bush's "open" speeches.

These events are show business and not related to real military lives in a war zone or even on bases, in case you missed the horror stories about the conditions of barracks the Iraq veterans have returned to.

Some questions he should have asked are:

• What is the basis for having an aircraft carrier off the coast of Brazil? (Perhaps to protect them from the Al Qaeda air force?)

• Why would they not visit the Green Zone in Iraq to experience the sound of incoming and the loud noise that accompanies them? (That could possibly involve legal ramifications?)

• Do the prisoners at Gitmo really have filet mignon and fresh raspberries every day for breakfast? (That was probably a special day similar to those the Red Cross visits to inspect detainees and the conditions of the facilities).

All of this "selling the war" seems farcical. If you want to see what the service is all about, you can join as I did in World War II. The other way would be to become a senator like your presidential candidate, John McCain, has done.

You can make a safe trip to a marketplace in Baghdad covered by a company of heavily armed soldiers and helicopters.

All I can say, Mr. Beveridge, is thank you for your help to our service personnel, but, you sir, were the victim of the "Mission Accomplished" Bush syndrome.

E. V. "Gene" Keith

Buffalo Grove