I’m extremely discontent with Walker’s article about America’s soldiers. I don’t think he quite comprehends all that they go through. I am more than happy to educate him on something he knows so little about.

My name is Jesse Taylor and I am a daughter of a retired Army veteran. My dad committed 20 years of his life to this country; he retired last Christmas Eve. He served through Desert Storm, was sent to Korea for a year and spent nine months in Iraq fighting in the war Operation Iraqi Freedom. This was his career. He is known as Staff Sergeant Dominic Taylor and will forever be recognized by that name. I don’t think that people understand that this is a chosen career, just as anyone would choose to be a police officer, an engineer or an English teacher. You have no right to get angry at a soldier for what they are doing, because they are just doing their job. They knew what they got themselves into when they joined and they are following through with it. Would you get mad at a cop for writing you a ticket? No, because he is doing his job. Soldiers apply here too.

The main thing that really peeved me was Walker’s statement toward citizens donating things to “people who really need them” instead of the troops overseas. You know, those troops have nothing when they get sent off to war or wherever they are stationed. They have no family or friends there to support them, they have no food except for MRE’s (meal ready-to-eat packets), and they don’t even have toilet paper to wipe their own ass! They are in need of things just as much as anyone else. When my dad was away, we sent care packages with letters, candy, toilet paper, electronics and other goodies. You know what? They loved it. Those are the things that kept them from running out in battlefield and letting the enemy blow them to pieces. Do not undermine what you think they need and don’t need. Clearly, you know nothing, Mr. Walker.

Last, but not least, don’t you ever dare disrespect any military again. I don’t care if they served in WWII, Vietnam, Desert Storm or Operation Iraqi Freedom (all of which members of my family had served in), you better show them some respect. The visuals they have to endure is something that they will remember for the rest of their lives. When they fought, it wasn’t just a one-time deal. Those events will be embedded in them forever and not only does that affect the individuals, but their family as well. I’ve been affected. This has become my life and you how dare you disrespect soldiers and their families who had the strength to go through what I have been through. Keep the comments in the peanut gallery, Walker. You have no idea what you are talking about.