To the editor:

My son is a lieutenant in the Army. He loves the United States and plans to continue fighting for our country.

I am concerned about the $350 billion being cut from military spending. Maybe the Joint Chiefs of Staff can manage that amount. However, if $500 billion more in cuts are made, it will put our country, troops and their families at risk. Things that could be on the block include plans to modernize the nation’s arsenal as well as the benefits now guaranteed to retired military personnel.

Many of the people stay in our military because of those benefits and love for their country. We get the military leaders from people who stay in and plan to retire from the armed forces. We need all the leaders who are in command to stay. Lack of good benefits could reduce the number of career service members. It would concern members whether their families would continue to get the support they need, especially when they are away from home.

Our troops should not have to worry while serving in Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere but concentrate on getting the job done.

There are other ways to cut the federal budget, and our Congress members should choose to protect our status as a super power that provides protection around the world.