SERVICE: Standing tall under fire

I wrote a letter complaining about an old guy with a retired military ball cap wishing that “Someone had shot that Obama by now.” Recently two critics of that letter questioned my military service.

Here is my name, rank and serial number. Gary A. Edwards, E2, AF28998892. My date of enlistment was in 1959 and my Honorable Discharge was in 1965. If you have any more questions just Google my name or do a search in Amazon.com.

When I was a boy watching the House Un-American Activities Committee hearings on TV, I learned that it was un-American to advocate the violent overthrow of the government of The United States of America and, by extension, its commander-in-chief.

I have no respect for anyone, veteran or not, who thinks it is socially acceptable to publicly advocate the assassination of our president, regardless of who or what (s)he is. Remember, our president was legally and fairly elected two times in the democratic process, despite gerrymandering and voter-suppression by his opponent’s supporters. If you don’t like the president the solution is simple. You can vote for someone else at the next election.

My main point is that we as a nation are too prone to violence and fear mongering. My heroes are Jesus (The original version), Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa and any persons who love their neighbors and care for others. Please don’t distort my message by accusing me of being anti-veteran. I am anti-violence.

GARY EDWARDS

Coeur d’Alene