Draft is small price for freedom

Dear Editor:
Some weeks ago Jim Sturgeon wrote a letter to complain about military recruiting in our public schools. I responded to his letter by pointing out that our voluntary military forces were not large enough and that a return of “the draft” might be a solution.
Tom Armstrong responded to my letter and “fervently disagreed” with my recommendations and finds a “draft” reprehensible. He equates the draft with slavery where people are compelled to do something against their will.
Claude Walters responded to Mr. Armstrong’s letter and suggested that a draft was a good idea, but that some of those drafted could serve in areas other than combat positions. That way everyone drafted would be serving their country in some capacity.
Tom Armstrong then responded to Claude’s letter with a vicious attack and suggested that Claude move to Cuba which has a society that embraces force and assignment of labor.
I suggest that Tom is the one that should emigrate as he doesn’t seem to appreciate living in the USA. He thinks that everyone who believes as he does should be able to sit back and enjoy life and if our country is threatened, others will step forward to protect him ? how pathetic is that?
Tom’s arguments against a draft all assume that being drafted will dictate a person’s entire lifetime ? not true. Two or three years of military service are a small rice to pay for the security and freedom of our country. Since Tom wrote his letters, I have not seen any letters which agree with his stance on a draft, but I have seen some letters which don’t. Perhaps Tom has not lived in Tennessee very long and doesn’t understand the meaning of “The Volunteer State.” Again, I suggest that Tom consider moving out of Tennessee ? San Francisco might be a good choice.
Royal Sargent
1037 Brighton Drive
Alcoa, TN 37701