PEOPLE

The Southeast Missourian asked Cape Girardeaus's 1140th Engineering Battalion National Guardsmen what they thought about the deployment of U.S. troops into Somalia.

Darrell Rodenberry: I think it is essential that we be there. Considering the food is there and they just can't get it to the people, someone must assist them. With several thousands dying per day it is just a humane thing for us or any other country to do. It is our duty.

Stan Simpson: I was in Africa last year on a mission and it can be a good thing if they do it right. If they go over there and stick with what they are doing, the humanitarian part of it, I'm all for it. I hope they don't have to defend themselves, but they might have to.

Robert Myers: I believe what they are doing is right. I wouldn't want my kid starving to death either. That's the least we could do for them and I would like to be over there myself and do my share. I think the mission will be easy due to the training they all have.

Tom Simmons: I'm not sure if I really agree with what they are going over there to do. But, if we were called to go, I would because that would be my duty. I'm not really sure if it's in the best interest of our country to be over there or not.

Chris Bullard: I'm not really sure about military involvement, but I think, for obvious humane reasons, the U.S. always tries to help other countries when people are starving. But our country is spending a lot of money over there when we are in a tight situation ourselves here.