A veteran responds: We have wars because there is evil in the world

This is a response to a letter sent by Arnold Stieber, “A day for dialogue” (May 29, AnnArbor.com). Mr. Stieber states that he’d like to see Memorial Day be a day that we sit down and discuss issues that “really matter” for the future of our children and our country as a whole.

Mr. Stieber then goes on to pose a number of rhetorical questions that are obviously troubling to him. Mr. Stieber, maybe I can answer a few of these questions for you.

You ask, “why do we have war”? Mr. Stieber, because there is evil in the world.

“Why do we so proudly send our children to kill other children”? You pose that question in an ugly fashion. The answer is that there is something called service to your country. You said you were in the Army. I would hope that somewhere inside resides a little pride in regards to your service. (By the way Mr. Stieber, I was in the Marine Corps., infantry, 1967/68, 1 Corps area).

“Why do we have more than 700 military bases in more than 140 countries”? I’d like to see something to back that one up. Assuming that your figures are correct Mr. Stieber, the fact is, like it or not, the United States is the world’s policeman. Imagine the world without a U.S. Do you really think that peace, love and harmony would prevail without us as a guardian.

Richard S. Burskey
Brighton