Post needs younger vets
The Veterans of Foreign War Post 47 Uniontown would like to thank the retailers that allowed us to sell poppies at their storefronts. Also, we would like to thank all of the motorists who bought the poppies, the generosity of those who bought the poppies, and the young ones who put money in the containers. For all their pennies, nickels, dimes, we thank you. You are special. A special thanks goes out to the ladies of the Circle Club who placed flags on the veterans’ grave markers at Sylvan Heights and who sold poppies.
Our two days of selling poppies were very successful, but the sad part was that we did not have enough support from our own members. We have 1,100 members at Post 47, yet only 10 or 12 members volunteered their time. Comments were made by veterans who said they did their share or did enough. We never do enough as long as our health lets us. It takes pride to be a volunteer, no matter what it may be, in helping others.
As our numbers of WWII veterans dwindle there is a concern of who will put flags on the grave markers or who will serve as honor guards at veterans’ funerals. Most of the veterans that care are up in age. Who will fill the gap left by those veterans who pass on? Hopefully the young veterans will, as we did when we were discharged. Post 47 needs younger veterans to join, so that the veterans’ traditional organizations will continue.
William Rostich
New Salem
Ridiculous lawsuits
Some lawsuits can be ridiculous to the utmost degree of pathetic. It’s a shame that our courts allow these lawsuits to be favorable to those who seek them. It may be difficult to improve, but hopefully the intellect of our Supreme Court can modify these imperfections. Our courts seem to be stepping backward rather than forward.
I became disconcerted reading an article in our most proficient newspaper, the Herald-Standard. I refer to a lawsuit of “shoplifting profiling,” in which the courts ruled in favor of those seeking monetary settlement. Some things are etched in stone and are quite impossible to view differently. The profiling issue is a circumstance that applies to all types of individuals who deserve its attention and not just those who are compelled to feel they are being singled out.
Retailers have a critical job to do in minimizing retail theft for which they lose millions of dollars and in turn pass it on to the consumer.
A recent study at a major university on criminal activity and shoplifting found that certain types of individuals are most identifiable to this kind of activity. So, the statement of being etched in stone is not surprising.
The term “being profiled” is inadequately used by those individuals because they see it as a means to take advantage of our courts’ leniency. They claim because of who they are and their distressed feeling something should be totally disregarded as an issue to the fact.
So, in conclusion, a major university study tells the tale, and profiling is not a matter of being picked on, but a matter of why things are the way they are, and retailers must apply whatever means necessary to curtail this astronomical criminal activity.
Being that I’m 57 years old, and out of shape, maybe I should consider a lawsuit against a retail store because they stopped to check me for the bulge in the stomach area of my shirt.
Gary Shaporka
Grindstone