This is in response to Mr. Walker’s letter concerning our troops. I sincerely believe that his bigoted point of view is the kind of opinion that makes Americans look fickle. Did you love our troops when they were detached from their families 30 days after 9/11? I wanted to say that I am one of those at the bottom. I am a single parent with two children, 7 and 1, attending school full-time because I lost my job. We have to live off of my student loans. By the way, those loans are provided by the very government that those soldiers are fighting for.

In what other country would a single mom have the opportunity to return to school and put a roof over her childrens’ heads, just so she can get ahead? This is one of the only countries in the world that allows for their citizens to try and get ahead.

I come from a family of military members. I appreciate their service. When you down the troops, you are also downing their children and families state-side, who are sacrificing as well by not being with their loved ones during the holidays. Please don’t pretend to hold the view of all of those Americans at the very bottom because the truth is that we adore our troops and know that if it wasn’t for them keeping the lions at the door at bay, we could very well belong to another country that wouldn’t allow us the kind of religious freedom that allows us to celebrate these holidays.

Before you look down on our soldiers, I want you to envision a United States without an able military. I want you to think about the fathers who are serving overseas who didn’t get to see their children born. If a couple of Republican students sending them a couple of little gifts bring smiles to their faces, then who are we really hurting?