Letters: Philadelphia-area veteran says farewell to Gen. Stanley McChrystal

FRIDAY, July 23, was the final day of military service for Gen. Stanley McChrystal.

After 34 years of exemplary service, he retired. The media say he was fired. Officially, he handed in his resignation, which was accepted by the president.

As a veteran, I give the general a hefty salute. The only smudge on his record was telling the truth. President Obama and Vice President Biden know zilch about the complexities of war. The "Hershey bars" lined up on the sleeve of his Class A uniform showed his combat experience. Each stood for six months of actual combat. He had about a dozen.

His DD-214, which lists all his medals and where he served, will not state "fired" or "relieved of duties." It will just state his separation date from the Army. I wish him well, and I think he's better off than trying to fight the politics of Washington.

George J. Walton, Upper Darby