Zinn on war.

• Position: Letter to the Editor - Letter to the Editor

I am a serviceman aboard a warship currently deployed far from home. I read Howard Zinn's article ("A Chorus Against War," March issue) with great anticipation, as I am a big fan of his work.

I could get in trouble for speaking my mind about the current political situation. However, I think there are few of us out here who wanted the situation with Iraq to come to war. Mostly because we knew we'd be the first on the scene. But I want Zinn and the people back home protesting to know that I appreciate what they're doing. Most of my fellow service members would call the protesters "unpatriotic" and even "traitors." But I know different. I know there are people in this world who start wars for political, monetary, and other gains. And there are those who willingly go to fight for these people. There are those who unwillingly go. And then there are those who love peace and justice and freedom. I think myself and many of my friends are caught between these last two groups.

It is this sadness that pervades our lives, as many of us have families back home. So if the people back home continue to support us, and protest the stupidity of war, there are those of us who will do what we can to try and speak out for reason, sanity, and peace.

Thank you and thank the millions who realize that war doesn't solve...