LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: MR. CLINTON, YOUR MOMENT CAME, YOU WALKED AWAY

To the Editor,

I submit this letter to you for publication. I feel this way and I make no apology for my position.

Mr. Bill Clinton:

Moments of truth define character. Your moment came. You walked away ... 58,000 died.

On the 50th anniversary of D-Day, I say you standing on Omaha Beach. You were center stage on a field of honor. The world watched and listened.

As you eulogized the valor of fallen heroes, I couldn't forget, I kept wondering ... What would you have done in 1944? Would you have deferred your obligation? Would you have partied and protested overseas ... while thousands of brave Americans died in combat? Would you have decided THAT war to be unworthy of your participation?

There are those who would say it took courage for you to attend the Normandy ceremonies. I think it took considerably less. It took gall, indiscretion and audacity. We caught your act in Vietnam ... and it doesn't play any better in Normandy.

What would you have done in 1944? Your moment came. You walked away ... 58,000 died.

You can walk across THEIR beaches. You can lay wreathes on THEIR tombs. You can visit THEIR battlefields. You can pretend to be a part of THEIR legacy, but you can't hide from the truth. Your moment came. You walked away ... 58,000 died.

You seem to have an uncontrollable desire to stand with the brave, in fields of honor -- when cameras are rolling. AFTER the battle is over, you are more than eager to rush in and bask in the light of sacrifice. But I remember. Your moment came. You walked away ... 58,000 died.

I'm sure, in person, you are a very persuasive individual. A bright person can rationalize any position. On the issue of honor, duty and country, words are little defense when weighed against the cost of human life. Your moment came. You walked away ... 58,000 died.

TOM SEEMATTER

Annapolis, MO