Hate the war, love the soldier

Thank you, Allen Lynch.

And shame on Americans who treat our soldiers like traitors or, even worse, infidels. Regardless of how one feels about war, we should never lose sight of the fact that our soldiers are human beings with heavy hearts as they come home from combat. They have seen their friends killed, they have fallen asleep at night not knowing if they would see the sun rise, and they have followed orders they may have morally been at odds with. Let us remember that before we choose to vilify them with cruel words or gestures, worsening the pain they are already feeling.

My heart goes out to men like Allen Lynch, who felt the need to keep his service a secret, simply because of the heartless insults he had to endure every day. I am sorry that people choose to treat him and other soldiers in a way that they do not deserve.

While I may not agree with this war and why we are in it, I will always show love and compassion to those who put themselves in harm's way. They have sacrificed more than I probably will ever be asked to, and for that I am grateful.

Dyan Flood

Vernon Hills