Families can find support
This is in response to the Oct. 3 front page article “Alone at Home.” I am a disabled Desert Storm veteran who retired as master sergeant with 23 years of military service to our community. There are thousands of families who have and are going through the same emotional turmoil when a loved one is sent to a foreign land to support and defend our country. A reservist completes required training and is prepared continuously according to military standards. All units have support groups for dependents, and meetings are held monthly for those that wish to attend.
All dependents are provided military assistance, phone numbers and points of contacts for any military situation. Also a reservist of 21 years should know and advise their dependents of the active support groups and where to go for matters of concern.
I am insulted by the comments, “We just don’t have community support,” and “I really do feel alone.” People of this area have always supported our military. For one example, count vehicles as they pass and notice the yellow ribbon magnets supporting our troops.
My brother is also military. He is married with two young boys and has been serving in Iraq since December of 2003. My sister-in-law has a full-time job, is also taking care of their home and two boys. She and the boys attend a monthly military support group meeting and support fund-raising activities for our troops. She is a proud military wife making time in a busy schedule, choosing to do something positive rather than criticize the military and citizens of the community.
“Alone at Home” you need to quit looking for pity, stop criticizing the community and go to a monthly support group meeting to find out what’s going on.
God Bless America as well as all of our past and present military troops.
Carmen A. Clark
Uniontown
Better to exercise voting rights
I found myself perplexed after reading Ray Pohaski’s letter, “Best vote is no vote,” in the Oct. 6 edition. He advocated not voting and proposed that our voting in any political election perpetuates a system which is so inherently flawed it is beyond useful.
I propose that the author’s broad generalization of political figures as automatons who can’t work out their own salvation is not true for the majority. It is unwise to paint any group with one brush, be it political or otherwise, because there are always exceptions.
The author also refers to the pandering of these public servants to special interests as repeating the mantras of their respective cults, which is basically what our form of democratic government really is. This is another broad generalization. In any case, massive abstentions from voting lead to a risk that our society will sink into anarchy, where only chaos rules.
The most intriguing line, however, is the author’s take on America’s current state of affairs. “The system we have is really no better than any other system, because Americans are no better than folks the world over.” From a Christian standpoint, this is factual. All human beings are equal in God’s sight. Even the framers believed this, as Jefferson included “All men are created equal” in our Declaration of Independence.
However, it can be argued that Americans have a better chance of living a higher quality life thanks to our government. Consider that, in many dictatorial and totalitarian countries, Mr. Pohaski’s public expression of opinion would not be only banned, but also punished.
One of the greatest benefits of living in America is the freedom to both possess and express an opinion, and mine is that all registered voters should vote on Nov. 2.
Mike Kelly
Masontown
Stop stealing signs
I would like to ask the person who removed the signs for Kerry-Edwards in Connellsville to stop. Removal of the signs is no guarantee of Bush becoming re-elected, but I am almost sure it is illegal and comes with a penalty.
Please refrain from this activity. Do something constructive.
Nora Boyd
Connellsville