America's helpers
EDITOR: While some of us may want to stay out of Syria's internal conflicts, it is incorrect to base that opinion on the idea that we did it ourselves in our Revolutionary War ("Syria's task," Letters, Thursday).
Spain contributed more money to our cause than any other nation (funneling most of it through France). The Spanish also contributed gunpowder and eventually declared war against England in support of us. They had troops fighting the British on the west side of the Appalachians.
France supplied not only money but 35,000 troops and 123 ships of war. The Dutch were so open in their support that the British declared war on them. Prussia sent senior military advisers to train Gen. George Washington's rag-tag troops into a real fighting force.
Trained officers came to fight with/lead the colonial armies from Poland, including Casimir Pulaski, who formatted the first American cavalry from untrained volunteers with horses. He died from wounds he suffered while leading our troops against the British in the Battle of Savannah.
Our country, and our freedom, owes much to these countries and people who supported and fought with us during the founding of our nation.
RUSS SCHROY
Santa Rosa
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