Two Colorado parents whose sons fought in Afghanistan will offer vastly different views when they testify at the state Capitol today on a war resolution.

John C. Buckley III, a Colorado Springs attorney, is furious over the Democratic-backed measure, which opposes sending more troops to Iraq.

"I almost lost a son in this war, and I still think that, by and large, we have tried to do the right thing," Buckley said.

He said he believes the resolution undermines support for the troops: "This resolution sends a message to every Coloradan who wears a uniform."

But Gaye Lowe-Kaplan, a retired teacher from Lakewood whose son is scheduled to be discharged from the Marines in July, said she thinks it's an important issue for legislators to discuss.

"I'm not a pacifist. I think we need to defend our country. But not this way.

My kid's life was offered up for a lie," she said, and then broke down.

"That's what I can't get over."

Both parents said they will testify today before the Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee in what is expected to be a marathon hearing.

The war resolution states that it is not in the national interest of the United States to deepen its military involvement in Iraq.

"We're going to debate foreign policy and military affairs when we've got a billion-dollar water infrastructure we need to figure out," Buckley said.

"I'm paying them to spend a day doing nothing. Debate something you can make an impact on," he said.

Buckley's son, former Army Ranger John C. Buckley IV, was injured in an explosion in Afghanistan in 2002 while searching for Osama bin Laden.

Three other soldiers, including his best friend, died in the explosion.

The younger Buckley, now 24, suffers post-traumaticstress disorder and is 100 percent disabled, his father said.

The elder Buckley, a former Air Force pilot who once worked as a civilian in the Middle East, believes the United States is in for a lengthy war that has been building for years because of resentment of the West.

"Our grandchildren will be fighting this," he said. "If you think you can negotiate with (the terrorists) you're wrong.

"They're religious fanatics who crucify their own women and children."

As for Lowe-Kaplan, she helped found Military Families Speak Out/Colorado.

"I wonder what this war is doing to the souls of our children, to say nothing of the soul of our country," she wrote in an e-mail to Sen. Ron Tupa, D-Boulder, thanking him for introducing the war resolution.

Her son, Andy, served in Afghanistan and Iraq. The 22-year-old also lost a good friend and suffers post-traumatic stress disorder, she said.

"He does not get into political discussions with me. He says only, 'I'm just doing my job,' " Lowe-Kaplan said.

"But I also know that he's pretty proud of what I do."

Iraq resolution

A Senate committee today will debate a resolution against deepening military involvement in Iraq.

• When 1 p.m., but an unrelated bill is scheduled to be heard first.

• Where: Old Supreme Court chambers, second floor, north side of the state Capitol.

• To testify: Sign up when you arrive at the hearing.

bartels@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5327

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