Soldier's parents live with anxiety

To the editor:

Matt Sanders' story ("Protester airs views to Cape audience") said, "Kell's son lives on." This statement is prophetic but certainly not appropriate. His mother and I pray that Mr. Sanders is right and that our son and every soldier will live on. We have not heard from our son since Sept. 12. However the war in Iraq is happening every second of every day. We live with the fact that we could lose him at any given time.

I'm not sure when Mr. Sanders walked up behind me during my debate with Ms. Niederer, but the statement "We should agree to disagree" was made to her after declining her invitation to join her inside to hear her speak against the war.

My wife and I have discussed the possibility of losing our son, and our hearts go out to Ms. Niederer and any other parent who has lost a child in this or any other war. Where we disagree is that you cannot support the troops by protesting the job they are doing. Neither my son nor Ms. Niederer's was forced to join. Our son, Jason, had reservations, as did hers, in the days before he left for Iraq. But he also knew that only he was responsible for his decision. Once you join to serve your country and its causes, you have to serve when and where your country needs you. I'm sorry Ms. Niederer doesn't see it that way.

Please support our troops properly and keep them in your prayers.

KEVIN KELL, Jackson