Here are Corporal Buckley’s words, remembered by his father:
To the Editor:
The fact that “U.S. Troops Are Told to Ignore Afghan Allies’ Abuse of Boys” (front page, Sept. 21) is mind-boggling. And the discharging of American servicemen who could not stand by and watch the systematic raping of young children is even more insane. Explain to me why we are in Afghanistan if not to protect the innocent. [as this phrasing suggests, there is no decent explanation: oil, absolute control of the Middle East, military bases, neo-con fanaticism…]
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In Sergeant Martland’s case, the Army said it could not comment because of the Privacy Act.