Soldiers hurt by protesters' words

I am a soldier who is in Kuwait awaiting the most fearsome thing a soldier could ever imagine: war. It pains me to hear that people in my hometown are protesting against what I and others like me have no control over.

I can understand as Americans we are entitled to freedom of speech. Sometimes I don't think people realize what that does when people like me hear about or even read about people in my own country who do not support the fathers, mothers, sons and daughters of this great nation.

What if it were their family member in my shoes? Would they support them and be proud of what they are doing for their country, or would they still hold their little sign in protest?

I would like them to think of that next time. I am proud of what I am doing. I am upholding peace and well-being for our nation that gives them the right to protest and have free speech. I will come home to a family who is proud of me and I would like to come home to Springfield to a city that is proud of its troops and of its nation.

Thank you to all those who support us over here. God bless you.

Spc. Jon K. Mullen, 501st Signal Brigade, 101st Airborne