To the editor:

Since 1979, numerous attacks against the United States have occurred, beginning when a group of Iranian students attacked and seized the American Embassy in Tehran.

Bombings of U.S. bases and embassies have killed over 500 people, including the bombing of the U.S. Marine Corps headquarters in Beirut, which killed 241 U.S. service men and women. The USS Cole was bombed in Aden, Yemen, killing 17 Navy sailors.

The cruise ship Achille Lauro was hijacked in 1985, and an American in a wheelchair was singled out and executed.

On Sept. 11, 2001, approximately 3,000 are killed in a second attempt to destroy the World Trade Center.

What other justification do the protesters need? No one wants war, but when you have been threatened and slain by terrorists for nearly a quarter of a century, it is time to fight back. I applaud President Bush for having the will to stop the terrorism against U.S. citizens.

I can almost guarantee video of the protests throughout the United States is being shown to the soldiers captured by Iraqis, and they are likely being told that the U.S. does not support them and they can expect the same reception the Vietnam vets received when they return home. Once the war is over, the protesters will go on about their business. However, the emotional damage they are doing to our troops will never be erased — just ask a Vietnam vet.

God bless our troops, and God bless the U.S.A.

Ila Russell, president,

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Auxiliary Post 852