HEROES: Honor all who serve

I am writing in response to Mr. Del Cameron’s letter stating that the “heroes” are only those who saw combat.

As an Airborne Ranger who served two combat tours as an Infantryman, I can assure Mr. Cameron that I was consistently on the “tip of the spear,” and saw a significant amount of combat. The tip of the spear, however is only as strong as the shaft that supports the tip.

I agree that for every person who is in combat there are typically six to 10 support personnel, but where would the combat infantryman or woman be without rations, ammunition, medical care, transportation, weapons maintenance, air and artillery support and countless other support functions that are mandatory to support a combat arms unit.

I would also remind Mr. Cameron that since the Korean War, there has been no position known as “in the rear with the gear.” Our battles in Korea, Somalia, Vietnam, the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan had no “rear area.” Those in support units were and are as vulnerable to enemy attack as the combat units, and often are specifically targeted by those fighting our country in these areas of the world. A significant number of our casualties are sustained by motor, rocket and direct attacks on areas which could be classified as “the rear.”

I have been the beneficiary of close air support on a number of desperate occasions, and I can attest to the fact that in my humble opinion, those who arm, maintain and vector those aircraft into areas where they are needed meet my definition of “heroes” just as much as those troops on the ground, who are receiving that support.

I would also remind Mr. Cameron that ALL who serve in our military take the same oath. To protect and defend our country and to give their lives if required. They are all trained to use their personal weapon and all write the same blank check to their fellow citizens to give their life to preserve and defend the United States of America.

As someone who meets Mr. Cameron’s definition of “hero,” I can say that in my opinion EVERYONE who faithfully performs his/her duty to the best of their ability and serves our country in any of the branches of our military, fits my definition of hero.

LEN CROSBY

Post Falls