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Letters to the Editor

Bergdahl release insults real soldiers

Letter to The State editorial board
Bowe Bergdahl, center, leaves the Fort Bragg courtroom facility following sentencing at Fort Bragg, N.C. The former sergeant was spared prison time and received a dishonorable discharge from the Army. Bergdahl, who walked off his base in Afghanistan in 2009 and was held by the Taliban for five years, pleaded guilty to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy.
Bowe Bergdahl, center, leaves the Fort Bragg courtroom facility following sentencing at Fort Bragg, N.C. The former sergeant was spared prison time and received a dishonorable discharge from the Army. Bergdahl, who walked off his base in Afghanistan in 2009 and was held by the Taliban for five years, pleaded guilty to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. Gerry Broome AP
Columbia, SC

As a Marine Vietnam veteran wounded in combat and former law enforcement officer retired from a combination of preexisting war wounds and job related injuries, I can’t for the life of me understand how a military judge could let Bowe Bergdahl off the hook when guys who laid their lives on the line are doing hard time in prison for a lot less.

It was reported that Bergdahl had mental issues. Does this mean he can file a claim with the Veterans Administration and be compensated for post-traumatic stress disorder? hat would be an insult to all of us who got their compensation the hard way, by being wounded. I spent five years fighting the VA to get my 100 percent disability rating, so I know from where I speak.

Gregory J Topliff

Warrenville

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