Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Dear Sebastian, 

   I have just read War and flipped through the pages of Infidel. Both books were excellent and opened my eyes to war. The suffering endured, from the living conditions, to being wounded or seeing a friend shot and killed is heartbreaking. These are an unfortunate product of war.

   There is one sentence in your book, I found most appalling. I found myself reading it over again in disbelief. It was when I read an American soldier shot Airborne. I know, just a dog, however, the young men adopted Airborne and the dog became an important part of their unit, a mascot. I have seen photos that show the bond the men and dog shared.

   Even though the dogs name was intended to taunt the new soldiers, shooting the dog was shameful, an immature act of disrespect. Are these soldiers' allies or enemies? The story left me feeling that there isn't any humanity in these young men. Perhaps most are just simple-minded children, out for the kill, playing war in someone else's backyard. Maybe they are just too young and dumb to know the expression "let sleeping dogs lie." 

   I would be curious to know the fate of the one who pulled the trigger. I would imagine Karma took control.

   Disillusioned, Peter Bond