Politics & Government

Late Largo Soldier's Letter Changed Congressman's Mind on War

Matt Sitton wrote to U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young about his concerns regarding improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan. Last month, he was killed by one.

A letter from a Largo soldier who was killed in action in Afghanistan helped change a Congressman's position on the war, TBO.com reports.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Matt Sitton wrote to U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young, who attended the same Largo church, regarding his concerns about his men being forced to walk through fields full of improvised explosive devices, according to TBO. Sitton, 26, was killed by an IED last month.

Since then, Young has reversed his position on Afghanistan — in part, he says, because of Sitton's letter. As TBO reports:

Find out what's happening in Largowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In a position opposite that held by most leaders of his party, the influential Republican is now calling for U.S. troops to leave the country ahead of the 2014 deadline called for by President Barack Obama.

Young had scheduled a hearing Thursday morning to question the agency in charge of protecting troops against IEDs, TBO reports.

Find out what's happening in Largowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Read more about Sitton's letter and Young's response in TBO's story.

Related Coverage:

  • Clearwater Marine Aquarium Raises $10K For Largo Soldier's Family
  • Largo Soldier's Family Moved by Community's Support
  • Fallen Hero is Welcomed Home to Escort in Largo
  • Largo Soldier's Widow: 'He Wanted to Be an American Hero'
  • Largo Soldier Killed in Afghanistan
  • IED Claims Lives of Two 4th Brigade Soldiers in Afghanistan


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