Pocono News Section

Fallen Soldier's Parents Talk About President's War Plan

Fallen Soldier's Parents Talk About President's War Plan - Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 6:18PM EST

Reported by: Mark Hiller
Wednesday, Dec 2, 2009 @ 06:18pm EST
PECKVILLE, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - A Mid Valley couple whose son was killed in Afghanistan is speaking out about the president's plan to send 30,000 more American troops to Afghanistan.

Mike and Nancy Argonish looked proudly, Wednesday, on a picture of their son, SGT. Jan Argonish. The Pennsylvania patriot and Peckville native was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan in 2007.

With the sting of his death never far from their thoughts, they hold onto the belief their son held on his mission in Afghanistan. "He supported his president no matter what and he believed that what they were doing was the right thing," said Nancy Argonish. "So I have to, in my son's memory, support the president and support the increased troops."

Mike Argonish said, "Without an increase in troops, it's hard because of the terrain of the country and the in and out and just everything that goes on there."

A flag and a monument that bears his name are visible signs to the Argonish's Peckville neighborhood of Sergeant Jan Argonish's ultimate sacrifice. But it's a sacrifice that the Argonish family says will not have been in vain now that the president has made a further commitment in Afghanistan.

The Argonishes also believe the troop draw down date of July 2011 should, instead, serve as a time to reevaluate the war effort. "If the job is finished in the 18 months, bring them home. If the job's not finished you can't bring them home, " said Mr. Argonish.

Even in the face of what critics say is an impossible fight. "But it doesn't mean that we quit," said Mrs. Argonish. "I think we have to step up our efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan."

And continue a cause their son died fighting for.