Congressman Murtha a Coward?

The following is the original text of a letter to the editor of the Kitsap Sun. The date on the file I saved is November 21. I believe it was printed unedited.

According to the report in this morning's L. A. Times, it was a freshman Republican congressman (I believe he was quoting another retired Marine general) who called Congressman John P. Murtha (D - Pa) a coward. My understanding is coward means shirking one's duty out of consideration for oneself over, either others, or the mission?
Ok, I looked it up. Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary - Tenth Edition says a coward is one who shows disgraceful fear or timidity. Encarta defines it as somebody lacking courage. Disregarding either concept, doesn't Congressman Murtha's idea to withdraw to adjacent countries, maintaining readiness if they're needed, have some merit? In light of Rove's (excuse me, Bush's) olive branch reported in the this morning's Washington Post I have to believe he (Rove or Bush - take your pick) sees the utility in thrusting the olive branch out there for mass consumption. (Oops, there's cynicism creeping in there.)
Does anybody remember the phrase Retreat, Hell…? It was uttered by another Marine general in another war. It concluded with …we're just advancing in another direction.