This letter is written in response to Tim Eldridge's editorial titled "What Message are we Sending." Throughout Mr. Eldridge's career as an editorial writer, he has dedicated his column to condemning the country that I call home. I have to give him credit because at least he makes his stand and isn't afraid to let the Wartburg community know his values, which is more than I can say about some people here. Now it's time that I make my opinion known as well.

Mr. Eldridge has decided to attack Wartburg's decision to honor General John W. Vessey, Jr., for the Henry N. and Helen T. Graven Award. I too was in attendance for the ceremony, and I was proud Wartburg selected the retired general. This man was an actual hero to the country. Not only did he establish himself on the field of battle and also climbed the ladder to reach the pinnacle of every American serviceman's (or woman's) dream, but he kept faith in his country. People seem to forget that after the Vietnam Conflict, faith in this country and its abilities declined greatly. It was people like Vessey who worked behind the scenes to make the people of this country proud to call themselves Americans. It was people like Vessey who helped defeat communism in the former Soviet Union and end the Cold War. After the fall of the communist regime in the USSR, great strides were made to reduce nuclear weapons, thereby making the world that much safer from a nuclear holocaust.

I just couldn't believe that Mr. Eldridge could condemn a man who committed his life to making the United States safe from its enemies. Without this protection, writers like Mr. Eldridge wouldn't have the opportunity to even write their editorials. I wonder how many Chinese or Soviet writers could have expected to express their opinions so freely? The very ability to worship as we choose or write what we feel is protected solely by people like Vessey. If this veil of protection did not exist, the very idea of a Constitution would not be feasible. Before he gave his life in South Vietnam, a soldier wrote home saying, "the fact that the only reason pacifists ... can even live in an orderly society is because someone ... is taking risks to keep the wolves away." Vessey was one of those people who kept the wolves at bay.

Mr. Eldridge claims that "his [Vessey's] role in the American military has made a terrible impact on humanity." What was so terrible? When he fought in the Second World War, he defeated dictators and empires bent on the destruction of their neighbors. How many more Jews or Soviets would Hitler have to kill until the American military could step in and make a good impact on humanity? How many more countries will Saddam Hussein have to invade or how many ethnic groups can he slaughter before we realize he won't go away? Do we really need Cuba to have missiles pointed at our entire southern border before we realize the dangerous intentions of Castro? If we just keep to ourselves, will we remorse when Taiwan is returned to the yoke of communism?

I admit the Reagan administration made some mistakes; I'd be ignorant and blind if I said that it was pure. What we do have to realize is that we live in a world where evil is present and very real. There are people bent on our destruction and who would not hesitate to take the lives of any Americans, regardless of religion. The government that you condemn as evil and cruel works every day to ensure that you and your families can go to bed every night knowing that you will wake up the next morning, safe and secure.

I don't believe Vessey can be condemned for his participation in the United States Armed Forces. Holding a position in the American army may not be the most desirable occupation at times, but if Christians like Vessey aren't in the command, who can we trust to command America's sons and daughters? At a time when armed forces have been closely scrutinized, Vessey kept his honor untarnished while keeping his faith in God and the country intact. His defense of this country protected the Constitution, including our right to worship freely. These actions don't sound like someone who is a member of an evil military regime, rather someone who is prepared to die so freedom may continue.

Brock Lehman, sophomore