[Chieftain]

Asked to respond to a U.S. congressman and retired Marine's recent comments that he would not join the military today, Pace called such comments "damaging" to the force. "It's "damaging to recruiting; it's damaging to the morale of the troops who are deployed; and it's damaging to the morale of their families who believe in what they're doing to serve this country," he said.

And such comments are damaging to the United States if they dissuade young people from joining the military, Pace said.

"We have almost 300 million Americans who are being protected by 2.4 (million) volunteer active, Guard and Reserve members, (and) we must recruit to that force," he said.

Pace said 18- and 19-year-olds "can get the wrong message" about the military when they hear respected leaders discourage military service.

"We have an all-volunteer, all-recruited United States armed forces," he said. "I believe that all young people should have the opportunity to service their country in whatever way they see fit, and that those who elect to serve in the armed forces should be encouraged to do so -- especially when we're in a war where our enemy has (the) stated intention of destroying our way of life."

How could it be said any better than that?

The first Marine Chairman of the JCS makes me PROUD to share the same title of United States MARINE!

[Warrior Nurse]

Chieftain, I agree with your comments and more. Murtha and others should be tried for treason or at least censured for disparaging the American fighting men and women.