This is exactly what we, who

were doing the fighting, wanted for our families back home. Sept. 11,

2001, changed this. The civilian population of the United States was attacked

such fear in our ranks that we will adopt a "bunker mentality,"

that is, we will cease to do the things that give us pleasure and the

things that keep our economy moving. They hope to drive us into economic

depression and chaos. We cannot allow this to happen.

In previous wars we have sent

our young men and women away to fight to protect our way of life. We expected

them to accomplish their missions with unyielding determination and courage

in spite of their fears. They never disappointed us. Now that we civilians

are soldiers in this new type of war, should we not face our enemy with

the same unyielding determination and courage?

Fear is contagious. It leads

to panic which invariably leads to defeat. Courage is also contagious.

So what we need to do, indeed must do, is to hold up our heads, stiffen

our resolve, recognize that some of us will die and set an example for

our families, our neighbors and for the rest of the world.

Our enemy thinks that we are

soft and will not endure hardship and death in order to preserve this

most wonderful of all countries. I remind you and them that this is what

Hitler and Tojo thought.

Joe B. Maloy

Peachtree City

[Maloy is a World War II

veteran who served in the U.S. 8th Air Force in missions over Nazi-held

Europe and was a prisoner of war in the infamous Stalag 17.]