Sir

WE would like to express our thanks to the Bulgarian people for sending their soldiers to help preserve the freedom of the Iraqi people in the fight against terrorism.
Certainly, it was a difficult sacrifice to make. Our hearts go out to both the military and to the families of the five soldiers who laid their lives down on the altar of freedom.
Although there is not complete agreement among all Bulgarians with the Bulgarian Government's policy to support Coalition action to free Iraq, we do appreciate the Government standing by us at this time.
Terrorism is not something that you can just ignore without consequences. And, yes, some European countries do not support the Coalition action to keep Iraq free.
Yet, terrorism is like cancer. You cannot ignore it without deadly consequences. We can choose to fight this war now and actively work to destroy terrorist networks and dictatorships that harbour them or we will simply fight them later in more bloody and costly battles.
Terrorists aren't too picky who they kill. Basically, anyone that disagrees with their thinking and warped way of life is at risk. Their fanaticism knows no bounds, and gives no quarter to innocent people.
When a terrorist commits one of their barbarous acts, they often could care less what countries citizens may be involved. For instance, when a jet liner is blown up, citizens of non-Coalition countries don't get a free pass. People in night clubs that were bombed in Asia recently had citizens of many countries in them too. All of them are equally dead.
Bulgarian leaders have wisely decided it is better to help fight this battle now than to ignore it and wait for some possible future catastrophe to occur on their soil as had happened on 9/11 in the States.
Someone once said that the blood of patriots is what waters the tree of liberty. This is truly one reality of freedom. Everyone must pay a price for freedom and it does not come cheaply. The price of liberty is not just eternal vigilance. It often requires one to lay down their life for their country and for the cause of freedom.
Laying down one's life for their country is an honourable act of sacrifice. How much more it is act of sacrificial honour and bravery to do so for the freedom of others.
Most Bulgarians remember the dear price they paid to free Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in 1877. Just as Bulgarian warriors and patriots paid the price often with their own blood for the freedom of the Bulgarian nation then, so did these five brave soldiers pay the same price for the freedom of others today.
Our family does appreciate Bulgaria standing by us in the cause of freedom. Regardless of any political considerations, it was simply the right thing to do. This also sends a strong message to the world that Bulgaria is active in fighting terrorism as well as willing to take her place in multinational actions in the cause of liberty.
Our family deeply appreciates Bulgarian standing by us in the cause of freedom. So do the Iraqi people that have been freed from the despotism and were crushed for years under the boots of Saddam Hussein.
Cordially,
-Keith and Margie Brown