This is in response to Maureen Sutton’s March 20 letter to the editor.

She is entitled to her own opinion and is guaranteed the right of free speech by our Constitution. In view of this, I was going to read her comments and move on with my Sunday afternoon.

When I reached the part dealing with the 70 to 80 percent of our troops whom she claims statistics say have joined the armed services for employment purposes (I ask: So? Does this change their volunteer status?) or for the educational benefits (Does this somehow render their service and motives suspicious?) or (best of all) as a way of avoiding prison, my alarm system went off and composed this letter.

I’m sorry, Ms. Sutton, please provide us with some specific cases where criminals are being inducted into our military as a means of avoiding prison. Please show me evidence that even chronic troublemakers can be enlisted. I think that you will find that the standards for acceptance into any of the branches of our armed forces eliminate such individuals from consideration of admission. Your comment does our servicemen and women great injustice. By all means, exercise your right and duty to speak up, just try to keep your facts straight.

I will take your suggestion to heart about asking the patriots who joined up for love of country about their experiences when I have a chance to talk with my son. I am not sure when I can do this as he is presently avoiding our legal system by hiding out 50 miles south of Baghdad.

David Wilson

Aberdeen