June 5, 2006

Governor Ted Kulongoski
Salem, Oregon

Dear Governor Kulongoski,

I am writing to you as a constituent to voice my request for you to join us, a majority of Oregon and the nation’s citizens asking for an end to the Iraq war. Our 21 year-old son recently returned from one year of urban combat in Ramadi, Iraq. His unit sustained a high level of casualties and many injuries in their mission to occupy Anbar Province. We are proud of his service but hate this war and what has been taken from my son and many other Oregon young adults and their families.

For too long the Bush administration has sought to cloud the facts with untruths, pious language, and patriotic rhetoric. Representative Murtha, a decorated war veteran who is no stranger to the complexities of this issue, has chosen to speak out with courage. We are asking that you join Representative Murtha and other public officials to ask for withdrawal of our troops from the cities of Iraq.

The lives of our soldiers, the well-being of the citizens of Iraq, our nation’s reputation abroad, and our moral conscience as citizens compel us to demand that our local and national leaders bring our troops home and take care of them when they get here.

We thank you for your past statements asking for a plan to end the war and a grateful for your honoring the sacrifices of our family members. We are asking that you now do all in your power to end the loss of Oregon lives and resources on this war.

Sincerely,

Michael Taylor
Father of US Army Specialist
Military Families Speak Out Oregon