Dear Editor:
I am writing in response to a letter printed in the East Tennessean on Oct. 12 (“Military matters are of concern to us all.)
I would like first to thank all of the American people who have served in our armed forces, for without them I would not have my freedom and citizenship in the greatest nation and superpower in the world.
I have a profound love and respect for our democracy and liberty. I could never appropriately thank the men and women who fight to protect these institutions that are treasured by the American people and myself.
A gentleman named Mark Peters submitted this particular letter. He was referring in his letter to a conversation held between him and a “young man named Brian.”
I believe that I am the Bryan that he spoke to while I was campaigning for Al Gore in the Culp Center.
I was astounded at the misleading nd untrue statements for which I was supposedly quoted. Mr. Peters proceeded to say that I insisted “our military was basically unimportant, and that service in the armed forces was unworthy.”
He again, in the latter part of his frivolous letter, said, “I feel that it is important to point out that one of our candidates (or at least his voice in this area) feels that duty, honor and sacrifices to one’s country are outdated and worthless.”
Let me begin by saying these are not my statements and are completely false. Mr Peters, I am not the person with the “misguided view.” Your letter not only reflects where the misguidance should be directed, but your statements regarding our conversation and me are simply not true.
I say to you that military matters are of concern to me as well as many public officials that I have worked for. For example, Al Gore and Dick Gephardt have served their country proudly. They know firsthand that our country is a great superpower, and are in no way waiting to allow defeat by another power.
Gore and the administration reversed the decline in defense spending that began under the Bush-Quayle administration.
I do believe that our enlisted and veteran military personnel need better benefits across the board. I think they know that Gore, a Vietnam veteran, can do that for them.
As a matter of fact, we had a Veterans for Gore rally here in Johnson City not too long ago that was attended by a great deal of these brave men and women whom have served proudly. Veterans have historically voted democratic in this country.
There is also the fact that most are happy that Gore’s military plan invests more money into our weapon systems than his opponent, Gov. Bush.
I believe in a strong defense, as does the vice president, and I am glad we currently have the strongest military around.
So, with that view, I feel that in this time of peace and economic expansion, we should focus on domestic issues.
Mr. Peters, to become more informed about Gore’s real stance with defense and foreign policy I suggest you visit www.algore.com and look at his agenda and accomplishments under the subject defense and veteran affairs. So I ask you to consider this as you make your trip to this polls on Tuesday and vote for Gore.
Bryan Hartmann

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