A PFC IN IRAQ

I had previously posted letters to Stars and Stripes from a captain and a sargeant but I somehow left out this one from a private:

In response to "'Because we gave our word'" (letter, April 6), about people who are dodging military service and refuse to serve overseas: Yes, I did give the oath, I did swear to uphold the Constitution against foreign and domestic enemies. I swore to preserve freedom, but what they left out was to preserve freedom of other countries. Iraq had nothing to do with Sept. 11. I understand fighting for freedom when it's necessary, and Afghanistan was necessary, but not Iraq.

Don't bash others because they think this mission is complete crap, because it is. It's stupid and we're risking other soldiers' lives. For what? Iraqi liberation? Weapons of mass destruction? Neither one of those has been even close to being found.

Pfc. Bradley Robb
Camp Striker, Iraq