Know The Extremes And Spare Children Letter Of The Week From Dec. 22

Half of the people killed in war are innocent civilians, especially children. This silent insanity is very seldom talked about by war veterans or the American media.

One of the most devastating moments in my life occurred in Vietnam when I held the dead, limp body of a small child who simply had been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Any ideas of there ever being glory in war vanished forever. Seeing so much death transformed my life into another dimension. I eventually realized very few people would ever be able to relate to my war experiences. Most people don’t want to hear about such unspeakable things.

As a Vietnam veteran (Army medic), I have tried every imaginable method to bear witness about the realities of war, only to be ignored or shamed by the majority of people I encounter. I refuse to give up because my main emphasis is on protecting my children and yours, who are psychologically abused every day with the nationwide commercialism of violent entertainment.

Please think about what I have written the next time you think about buying your child a war toy, war computer game or a violent movie. There is a sickness here that has become so prevalent and acceptable in America that most people have no comprehension of the hidden emotional trauma it has on children.

Violent entertainment will violate your precious child’s soul. Mike Hastie Otis Orchards