Letter: Plan not perfect, but U.S. must continue on

Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005 | 7:35 a.m.

I'd like to thank Mr. Harbert for his service during World War II. I'm indebted to him.

Because he may have supported President Roosevelt in his plans to respond to the attack on Pearl Harbor, may I offer these comments. Consider the number of war dead from the attack on Pearl Harbor: twice as many died when the Twin Towers fell. Pearl Harbor was an attack of a military target; the 9/11 attacks were not.

Many years of overwhelming public support -- for the larger military effort and many more war dead -- followed the response for the attack on Pearl Harbor. Japan declared war on the United States; so has al-Qaida and its associated Muslim extremists.

Were Roosevelt's war plans perfect? I think not. Most will agree the "perfect war" plan has yet to be conceived. Weather forecasting and intelligence are vital to war plans. Both are often faulty. No one lied when those elements were inserted in the plan.

My point is that after 9/11 the American people screamed loudly for a response -- a war plan. President Bush proposed one. It was not perfect, but he did gain approval from the Congress. And, arguably, he received approval from the American people.

I'll stand with the president, from any political party, once the American people have spoken. They did speak on this current war plan -- possibly a plan of World War III.

From a proud, combat Vietnam War veteran, my plea is: President Bush, please support the veterans by "staying the course" until victory is achieved.

Elbert W. Lemmon North Las Vegas