Las Vegas Sun

November 15, 2009

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Letter: U.S. must have a resounding victory

Sunday, Oct. 30, 2005 | 9:03 a.m.

Assuming that a "Vietnam-style" pullout may be used, I would like to offer these thoughts. Upon our pullout from Vietnam in 1975, the new Vietnamese government established re-education camps for the citizens of South Vietnam. Hundreds of thousands of South Vietnamese died.

It's estimated that genocide in Cambodia resulted in the death of one-fifth of the country's population, or 1.7 million people. Over 2 million "boat people" (or refugees) fled Vietnam, creating another significant international problem. Upon their return, U.S. military experienced social exclusion and problems readjusting to society. It'll be worse if we pull out from Iraq.

An overwhelming majority of the Senate, including its two members from Nevada, in 2002 voted to use military force in Iraq. Quitting and withdrawal is not the answer. Resolve and a clear victory is the only answer. Focus on the 2,000th U.S. soldier's death ought not be any more important than focus on the 101st or the 4,006th. They are all heroes who have sacrificed their lives in a noble cause.

Elbert W. Lemmon North Las Vegas

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