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Losing The Battle At Home

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 14, 2008

I am a soldier in Iraq. I have walked the streets of many a village and seen oppression with my own eyes. I am actively engaged in building self-worth into a country that has been enslaved for decades. I am one of many teaching the citizens of Iraq what it means to be free.

So it is with Zachary Sharples and his "Rayhawk" haircut ("His Rayhawk Strikes Out" Local News, Oct. 9). He is practicing his First Amendment right of free expression and joining his community in support of their baseball team. The Manatee County School District is taking away this right, as well as failing to follow their doctrine of community relations.

The Tampa Bay Rays are contenders for the World Series. That should cause a great deal of excitement among members of the community. Instead of punishing a student for taking an interest in community affairs, they should celebrate the fact that this young man is supporting a major income-producing business.

I struggle in Iraq against a terrorist mindset in order to keep Zachary Sharples free to wear a Rayhawk in public without retribution. I would hate to think that I am winning the fight against terrorists in Iraq only to lose the same fight in the streets of Palmetto.

KEN MORROW

Joint Base Balad, Iraq

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