This was a letter to the editor of the Fernandina (FL) Newsleader this week titled "HOW COULD THEY?":
The shocking, two-year old photo shows American servicemen holding body parts of a suicide bomber. We sheltered folks shudder at the apparent ease displayed by the participants.
How could they?
Let's set aside our reaction for a moment and really think about the question "How could they?"
As a start, could it be that these very special individuals who volunteer to risk their lives for we the people are exceptional folks? Yes.
Could it be that they are seasoned in the field of battle where they've witnessed unspeakable (unfit for 6 o'clock news) atrocities committed on both fellow service people as well as the civilian population? Yes.
And could it possible be that the experience of collecting your fellow comrade-in-arms' body parts along the roadside after an explosion of a road-side bomb has somewhat desensitized their souls. You bet!
Yes, be shocked, Americans. Let this small part of reality sink into your minds, then be grateful to the men and women who stand in the breach. God bless them.
Leah Dalton
Fernandina Beach
(God Bless her for this letter and for decrying the woosing of America)