It is with shame that I felt compelled to write this letter.

Our nation is at war; our boys, fathers, sons and brothers are in Iraq putting their lives on the line for freedom. The media has provided us with an armchair view and we are with them step by step, as we have never been before. They are fighting a force that cannot be trusted, an evil leader whose people live in fear.

Thousands of people have lined the streets in major cities to protest this war; a right guaranteed them by our Constitution. How does this make our boys feel? Where is the support for our troops, and have we become a nation where only the disgruntled take a stand?

We all remembered we were Americans on September 11, 2001 when our shores were invaded and attacked and thousands of innocent lives were taken by an act of terrorism. Flags went up everywhere, firemen and policemen were heralded as heroes and we hated terrorism and what it had brought upon our lives. How quickly we forget. This war is to end terrorism.

Our military are our heroes in this round and they deserve our support. Put up your flags as you did after September 11, hang a yellow ribbon to show we are praying for peace, and that we support our troops. Let's start showing some pride in being an American. Make our troops proud of the land that they are fighting for.

Marie L. Corte