Give our soldiers all tools they need

We sent our family members to Afghanistan and Iraq to fight. We then supported them with care packages of wipes, hard candies, socks, cookies; and we allowed their hands to be tied when in mortal combat.

Those of us who at one time in our lives were identified with the letters, U.S. or R.A. or M.C. should be burning up the telephone lines to Washington, D.C.

How can you say you support the troops when you allow them to go into combat against an enemy that wants us to bury our family members. How dare you, as you read this letter, allow our sons and daughters, wives and husbands, brothers and sisters, claim to support the troops when you allow the government to withhold the use of the weapons we have that will save their lives and prevent their being injured.

During the time when I was identified partially by the letters U.S., we trained for combat with the knowledge that if we needed air or artillery support, it would not be withheld. Our training regimen partly consisted of the directive to break the will and other things to induce the enemy to quit. Being a good student of military doctrine our people were very good at breaking things. We also knew we would be supported by any heavy weapons we had available.

Now we give up the lives and health of our warriors to play politics with and for corrupt governments. Support our troops. Call Sens. Durbin and Burris and your representatives and the White House to either allow them to fight with all their might and weapons or bring them home.

That is real support. Our family has already been part of a funeral procession to Fort Sheridan's Cemetery. We do not need other families to make that trip needlessly.

Ernie Ebner

Elgin