Letter: Take a moment to honor fallen troops

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Peter McMurran

Friday, Jan. 19, 2007 | 6:57 a.m.

It is painful to read each day the names and hometowns of the servicemen and women who have fallen. I was disturbed to read in the Las Vegas Sun on Thursday that a young second lieutenant had died Monday in Mosul, Iraq. The vehicle he was riding in claimed three others as it was blown apart by an improvised explosive device (IED).

This 23-year-old had dreams. He wanted to serve. He was just like someone we all know ...

I applaud the Sun for printing the names of the fallen troops and I urge readers to visit this report that runs almost every day, read the names and pray for these troops and their families. Experiencing the death of friends and family in combat is simply devastating. Thankfully most of you don't have that memory. Those of us who do, we know firsthand the sights and sounds of fury.

I urge readers to always support our servicemen and women even in times of questionable policy decisions. Contact your representatives in Congress. Voice your opinion. Get involved. At a minimum, take time each day to reflect upon the small percentage of your fellow Americans who each and every day are laying it on the line for us, that is, the U.S.A.

Peter McMurran, Las Vegas