Letter: What’s left to fight for? Apple pie?

Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005 | 8:42 a.m.

During World War II a popular slogan was that our troops were fighting for the "flag, mom and apple pie." What a wholesome picture that brought to mind! It was pure Norman Rockwell Americana.

In our current war in Iraq, Cindy Sheehan, the mother of Casey, a young Marine whose life was sacrificed on the battlefield for reasons that have changed as the lie of each successive reason was exposed, started a mother's vigil near the vacationing president's ranch. She wants the president to tell her the truth about why her son was sent to Iraq to die.

Sheehan's encampment was joined by many supporters who oppose this ill-conceived war, and a spontaneous memorial -- displaying small American flags and crosses bearing the names of fallen heroes -- was erected along the roadside. The other night, a pro-war opposer to Sheehan's "Camp Casey," demonstration, deliberately mowed down the row of crosses and flags with his truck. He was demonstrating a dangerously perverted patriotism by crushing crosses honoring our dead troops and grinding our flag into the dirt with his tires.

The well-practiced Republican slime machine has also begun viciously attacking Cindy, calling her vile names and claiming she's harming the troops for simply wanting honesty and accountability from our president.

They've defiled the flag and defamed a mom. That leaves apple pie, and that's not reason enough for sending our troops to fight and die. Bring them home and let them eat cake.

JOANN FISCHELLA