To the editor:

History teaches that pacifism does not protect against threats to peace. Peace with force may not be peace, but peace without force is fragile. Peace has only been achieved by force resulting in either of two forms of peace. One form is an oppressive peace as when the German Nazis over-ran other countries or peace in freedom when oppressors are fought and suppressed as after the victory of the allied forces in World War II. Peace cannot exist without force. Peace when left to its own device dies a slow demise. Our veterans are the peace keepers of a civilized society.

Roger W Hancock

Auburn