Some of you remember that my son, Lance Cpl. David Houck, gave his life in the fight for Fallujah in November-December 2004, which was a joint effort between the U.S. Army, USMC and the Iraqi Army.

More than 1,300 insurgents were left to die, having laced themselves with lidocaine and Novocaine. The insurgents were ruthless, heavily armed, hiding behind doors, shooting from minarets, killing good Iraqis only to put on their arm bands and ambush our military. Still, our guys pressed on, inspecting house after house, trying to minimize civilian casualties.

Because of what our guys did (about 100 died out of 50,000), the insurgents have never, ever faced a massive U.S. invasion again. The January 2005 elections were safe, as thousands of weapons caches were confiscated, and we freed that city from oppressive insurgents.

Have we forgotten the thousands who were murdered on Sept. 11, 2001?

Have we forgotten the other times Osama bin Laden took pot shots at us? Have we forgotten the bombing of the USS Cole?

After Pearl Harbor, America got mad! After 5,000 Marines gave their lives on the sands of Iwo Jima and thousands more were wounded, did we say, “The cost is too high; let’s quit?”

I say, go after every insurgent with a massive force. Honor the death of my son, who willingly joined the USMC because he got mad after 9/11! Let’s make all insurgents shudder in their boots! With Rambo, let’s say, “I’m coming after YOU, Murdock!!!”

David’s last letter from Fallujah, dated six days before his death, said, “Remember I’m really good at what I do, and try not to worry.”

Please don’t dishonor David’s death by leaving before the military leaders on the ground or the fledgling Iraqi government says, “The job is completed; let’s go home.”

— Beth Houck

Millbridge