Letter to the editor | For troops, get the facts straight | Centre Daily Times

With the near certainty of surgical strikes on Syria, our nation should remember our response after Sept. 11, 2001.

I saw my rage and that of our nation directed at Afghanistan and Iraq. We now know that the invasion in Iraq was based on intelligence that was out of date, faulty and even plagiarized.

Many servicemen and women were killed or severely injured as a result of these military actions. All were put in harm’s way, and many are still serving there today.

Twelve years later — and with all the benefit of this hindsight — we are headed toward what could end up being a similar war: based on incomplete intelligence or intelligence interpreted in a way that justifies military action in Syria.

I have many acquaintances who are in the Armed Forces or are parents and relatives of those serving.

Please contact your representatives and let them know that the blood of our servicemen and women is a precious resource. The men and women in uniform who many of us personally know will without question defend our country when called to do so.

It is the least we can do to wait for all of the facts to come in before committing to action.

We owe them that.

Jason Penland, Howard