Letter: Casualties of war should be expected

When we have a war or a police action there are bound to be casualties and prisoners taken. Just because three of our servicemen were captured is no cause for panic. They probably won't be harmed beyond some minor discomfort.

Why should we expect the Serbs to return them immediately when they have good propaganda value? Sure, their parents should be concerned, but at least they know they are alive and have seen pictures of them.

Thousands of kids were taken prisoner by the Germans and Japanese who were far more cruel than the Serbs are expected to be. In those cases many parents knew nothing for months or years and then only that they might be alive.

We seemed to be willing to sacrifice 50,000-plus casualties and many prisoners in Vietnam so why shouldn't we expect a few in the Balkins? This may be for a better cause.

TED MADDOX

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