It was with great distress that I read that the Henry County Board of Education is likely to discuss axing the NJROTC program at Abbeville and Headland high schools. Frankly, I was distressed to the point of tears when I considered the deeper meaning of this move.

From the beginning, our great country has depended on the citizen soldier to defend our freedom and all of the values that we hold so dear. The high school ROTC program is at the very roots of that legacy of commitment and sacrifice by our youth.

The values of discipline, teamwork, leadership and patriotism are the very soul of the program, values that all of us hold so dear. What does this move to kill such a program tell us about the changing attitudes in the heartland of America?

I was especially moved by the story of Ms. Crystal Lane, who rolls her wheelchair alongside her Abbeville High School Navy ROTC classmates as they practice their unarmed drill routine.

There is a place for her in our defense establishment. As onetime director of the Defense Logistics Agency (furnishing food, clothing, supplies, fuel and spare parts to all of the Armed Services worldwide) we had hundreds of physically challenged civilian executives in finance, law and management.

She has a bright future serving our nation with her magnificent spirit. I honor each and every member of these units. I am especially proud of their parents for their encouragement and support to their wonderful youth. How can Henry County save $480,000 when most of the cost is borne by the United States Department of Defense?

Maj. Gen. Roger Peterson
USAF (Retired) Dothan