As a resident of Great Kills and a mother of a United States Marine Sergeant, 
who has served 2 tours of duty overseas in the 'War on Terror' I decided to 
take direct action to stop a third redeployment to this illegal and immoral 
occupation! It is time that our Congressman listen to the growing number of 
constituents who oppose this war in Iraq. Last year my son deployed to Fallujah
for one year on the ground. He, once again, fought bravely and watched many of 
his friends perish. It is a war of aggression for oil and profit, and is in 
direct violation of the U.N. resolutions and Nuremberg Principles. That makes 
this current Administration responsible for war crimes, and those that are 
complicit, such as our Congressman, also accountable for killing not only 
our soldiers but over half million Iraqis.

Fossella does NOT support our troops, and don't be fooled by the rhetoric 
"de-funding the war means not supporting the troops." The war profiteers, who 
received no-bid government contracts, are getting all of our taxpayer dollars. 
I know this personally, because not only did I have to purchase $3,000 worth of 
body armor to protect him in Iraq, but weekly for one year, I sent him and his 
platoon packages of food and supplies. The one meal a day provided when they 
returned from 12 to 14 hours on patrol, was taken directly out of his paycheck 
at a cost of $60 a month.

To disrupt "business as usual" in Vito Fossella's office was a first and necessary 
step to draw more attention to his deception. The occupation of his office was a 
landmark event on Staten Island. This step was not taken lightly by those who 
participated and those who supported it. We are residents and love our hometown, 
just like anyone else who lives here.We can now say thatour occupation was a victory 
since the Congressman finally did something in our favor, voted "NO" to the Supplemental 
Billauthorizing further funding of this occupation. That's exactly what we wanted him to 
do, no more funds, no more war, bring our troops home now, and please take care of them 
when they get here.

Elaine Brower