SERVICE: Show due respect

"No greater love hath any man who lays down his life for another."

This bible verse was on prominent display at Mann Hall in Spokane, that was once the home of the 659th Engineering Company, part of the 124th Army Reserve Command. You could call this scripture the honor code of any U.S. Soldier entering into combat. Placing his or her life on the line for fellow soldiers and country was the highest moral rationale for putting on a uniform in the first place. It is out of love to combat an enemy of the nation and one's fellow citizens. It is out of love to protect one's fellow soldiers with one's very life as I understand that Private Mann (for whom the hall was named) had.

Jason Gooley, I became a Sgt (E-5) with the 659th Engineering Company before President George H.W. Bush began downsizing the military by 1991 and I was fully released from all other military obligations (Individual Ready Reserve) by that May.

Even as a non-Christian I was impressed by that scripture quoted above and thought it to be a fitting tribute for the long dead soldier who had indeed laid down his life for his fellow man. However, when I took issue with Mr. Fink, it had nothing to do with Mr. Cecil Kelly. Rather it had to do with Mr. Fink expressing nothing but hatred toward the very country, fellow citizens and the president whom he was supposed to have defended in Vietnam.

So, the question asked then is still valid now of why did he bother putting on that uniform if afterward, he would hate the people whom he was supposed to have defended before? And further, in what way is he a man who should be "honored" for his service if he afterward dishonors his service with shrill attacks on others?

It would do Mr. Gooley some good to have read my prior letter more closely. I can be amused by Mr. Kelly, I find at times that I will even disagree with him. But he has as much right to express his opinion, even if wrong, and even if he did spend all of his time in an "air-conditioned radio room," Mr. Fink would have needed such people to help him complete his mission.

So I sure wouldn't disparage Mr. Kelly for his MOS if I were Mr. Gooley. No matter what you did in whatever specialty, you were still defending this country.

And contrary to the headline of Mr. Gooley's letter: "Honor: You have to earn it," Mr. Gooley accorded no honors to himself or Mr. Fink. Not when he resorts to arguing that published letters are "crackpot" without specifically stating why. So, Mr. Gooley, do you want some whine with that cheese? Or would it instead behoove you to grow up?

JOAN E. HARMAN

Dalton Gardens

(12-year veteran of the U.S. Army/U.S. Army Reserves during the Cold War and in the Reserves during Desert Storm though did not serve in that war.)