TO THE EDITORS:

This letter is in response to Robert Willauer, Jan 19.

Mr. Willauer, you are wrong that the Marines' actions urinating on Taliban fighters is no big deal.

I am a Marine of eight years active service. Marines do not do this and expect it to be acceptable. These were young men who have been on many deployments and saw atrocities that you and I will never comprehend. Saying that, we never have and never will lower our expectations and standards of conduct to excuse unacceptable behavior. Just because the other guy does it does not make it OK for us to do it.

These Marines will be dealt with fairly and, hopefully, their actions will not endanger other Marines in that area of conflict.

"The Few, the Proud" has a meaning that if you have not been a Marine it is impossible to understand. We have set the standards since 1775 and will continue to do so.

Semper-Fi.

Art Hall

Salunga