I am writing for all of the people going to war and protecting our country. I really respect the fact that these people are protecting us, and when they come home they need to be honored for their service.

I see a lot of people protesting against the war and I am afraid when the soldiers return they will be criticized by protesters.

We need to realize that these soldiers went to war in honor of us and we need to respect these people when they come back, whether they agree with the war or not. They went to Iraq to protect and serve their country and they may feel the same about the war as some of the protesters, but all of them are still over there doing their jobs.

I hope when our service members return home we give them each a pat on the back and a hero’s welcome.

I am not saying that all the protesters who oppose war will be violent and there may be none, but I think that we have to be in support of these soldiers. These individuals fought in honor of their country and they will always be remembered.

Kyle Mullen, Lewiston