I AM writing regarding your June 5 article on Harvard University president Drew Faust addressing an ROTC commissioning ceremony in Harvard Yard and her commending the new military officers for choosing to serve their country ("Faust criticizes military's ban on gays," City & Region).
I did not find anything she said as explicitly taking issue with the ban against openly gay and lesbian members of the military. I would also like to correct you in noting it is not the military's ban but Congress's and Bill Clinton's ban - in other words, the law, with which the military must comply.
What I do take issue with is Faust saying, "For four years you have gone the extra mile - literally - up Mass. Ave. to MIT to complete your training. You have awakened at dawn while your roommates slept in. . . . You have our respect for your choices, our admiration for your commitment, and our deep gratitude for your willingness to confront dangers on the nation's behalf in the months and years to come."
If Faust was serious, she would be seeking to end Harvard's ban on ROTC on its campus. Doing so would mean ROTC students would not have to commute to MIT, and thus would make their sacrifices to God and country a little easier.
WAYNE L. JOHNSON
Alexandria, Va.
The writer is a retired Navy commander with the Judge Advocate General's Corps.
