Missing the point on Bush's duty

As a former Air National Guard member I know of the many ways to make up missed duty periods. But when a member enlists for pilot training, he agrees to a service period that in 1968 was six years after training. There is no way that Bush came anywhere near fulfilling that requirement.

I am also well aware of the political influence and privilege that pervaded the Guard. That is what was abused in Bush's case. His family's contacts in Texas and the federal government pulled the strings for him to be released in order to attend Harvard Business School.

We can only guess whether it was Bush's academic standing or other influences that obtained that honor.

EDWARD GORMAN

Ridgefield, Conn.