I'm glad you don't hold the shooter's sympathies. My heart sank when I heard that story.

Your statement above is a little disturbing though, considering the recent news of soldiers trying to convert people over there to Christianity. Please remember "winning souls over to Christ" is not in your job description over there, and it can make it dangerous for your fellow soldiers - not to mention us too.

As peaceful and loving as it feels to spread the "word of God," it can also be viewed as an attempt to take over their land and resources through Christianity - as "Christian soldiers" have done in the past. Many of the people over there have lost their loved ones, their homes and livelihood in a tragic way. Their (Muslim) faith is all they have left. Don't you think it would be wrong to attempt to take that away from them too? If we are to win their trust, we can't be seen as "crusaders."

My son is on his way out to the desert now. ALL of you are in my prayers.