Letter: Keep an open mind on who can serve

Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007 | 7:17 a.m.

I'm afraid I must take issue with Walter M. Jackman's Feb. 12 letter, which was headlined "Criminals in military an offensive idea."

Not all incarcerated people are of the ilk he bemoans. As a minority, I know personally of many men released from prison who served valiantly in the military. I remember in World War II that many people imprisoned on minor charges were released to join the military and the war effort.

One of my drill sergeants showed us the shackle marks on his legs where he was held on a chain gang in the South, a practice quite common against blacks. He, like many others, were, and are, in prison on minor, trumped-up, nonviolent charges. Society could benefit if prisoners were taught, supported and given a chance, rather than simply warehoused. Some innovative ideas might even alleviate the illegal immigration problem.

Finally, there already are criminals in the military, otherwise there would not be brigs, Judge Advocates and the like. The military has survived their imprisonment, as well as the Abu Ghraibs.

William V. Lofton, Las Vegas