Letter: Too many tours of duty
President Obama places a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Memorial Day (Getty) Credit: President Obama places a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Memorial Day (Getty)
In response to "Suicide up in military" [News, June 8], who cannot see the pattern and causal relationship of multiple deployments?
With 1.4 million on active duty, how does the Pentagon justify using these soldiers for two, three and more deployments overseas, away from family and friends? Why are the American people told that we are bringing all our troops back from Afghanistan, when we are still deploying troops to these regions?
While I honor those who serve, hasn't enough been asked of them? Our son, who is in the Army Reserve, is being torn from family, friends and his job with the New York City Police Department to deploy for a third time.
Is it any wonder our soldiers are depressed and too often suicidal? If we hope to salvage this generation of the military, we must stop the madness now.
How many times must a soldier be put in harm's way to be maimed in body and mind before his or her service is considered paid in full?
Gregory K. Tobkes, East Meadow
