A lesson should have been learned from past wars with Afghanistan that it’s a no-win situation. Russia and other countries found out the hard way. The United States also learned a big lesson in Vietnam, when 55,000 men and women lost their lives in defeat.

I have a granddaughter in the U.S. Army Reserve stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., who gave birth to a baby boy on Oct. 25. Her husband, also stationed at Fort Bragg, is scheduled to be deployed to Afghanistan in December. I understand that it was their call to join the Army, despite all the uncertainties about this war, yet it angers me so much that my great-grandchild may grow up without either parent.

The president’s recommendation to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan is not the cure that the American people want. Such a decision will only escalate the war and become an Afghanistan death march. However, as a proud American and veteran, I will continue supporting our courageous troops and praying for their safe return home to their families.

I have a son, a Gulf War veteran, who also served his country honorably and was injured in the process.

Robert P. Lacombe, Sabattus