Dear Mr. President….

I am not a political person, I am a people person. Please don’t try to make something political out of this. Just give me a chance to say what I want to say….just listen.

Okay, Mr. President, you have won the Nobel Peace Prize. Congratulations! It is a prestigious honor and you are among the elite whose tireless efforts to bring about world peace have been rewarded.

By their own admission, the committee awarded the honor to you because of what you have said you will do, more than for what you have done already. You haven’t been in office even a year yet, so it is early to tally your score as a humanitarian.

But that is not to say that you won’t do what it is that your Nobel Prize denotes: work tirelessly to bring about some portion of peace in this war-torn world of ours. I am hoping that you will rise to the task and make it happen.

I also know that the weapons of war—and more specifically, their manufacture—makes work and provides jobs for those who need them. And the money spent on weapons, and uniforms and vehicles and ships and planes, puts much-needed money in the economy. So I challenge you, Mr. President, to find a way to stimulate our economy without making war.

Further, I would ask you to visit at least one VA hospital. Go see what is left of those who have served their country so valiantly: the walking wounded, the permanently scarred, and those who have to wonder why they did what they did….and got where they are now.

And don’t just walk through the wards, waving your best parade wave, stop and talk to them. Listen as they tell you their stories. Learn, Mr. President, from their experiences. Take to heart what they have to say. Recognize them as the heroes that they are, and thank them for what they have done in the name of freedom.

And then use your clout to do something about it.

Please, don’t label me with political labels. I am not a liberal. I am a nurse, and I have seen what war does to people, and to their families. And to countries and resources and life.

Use your prize for its intended purpose: make a difference.

Yes, I know that we have to maintain some semblance of weaponry to protect our freedom. And I know that those who target us do so simply because we are America. So, I am not saying to disband the armed forces and send everyone home to the family farm.

I know that we have to have a presence in this world. I also know that, to many people in this world, we represent freedom. And hope.

I know that what I am asking of you is huge. I know that it seems like a formidable task, too. But then, are you not the first duly-elected member of your race to serve in the highest office in our government? A man who made history? The President of the United States?

I think you have what it takes….so please, just do it!