LETTERS

— Moment of reflection

Here’s a challenge to the heart of America in all of us:

This Memorial Day, take a moment to actually see and feel the heart-stopping display of American flags while driving by First Baptist Church on Rodney Parham in Little Rock. Then, breathe in a gulp of pure freedom and treasure that lump in your throat called patriotism.

This Memorial Day, seek out a veteran or the family of an armed service person and openly honor them for our debt of gratitude. They grab fear by the neck and cast it aside for us every day so that we may live and speak freely. And, when reading about casualties, remember that they are not just troops, they are the sons and daughters of all of us, fighting for our lives and privileges.

This Memorial Day, reflect on the saints who have gone before us and served us so selflessly. Thank the bigger-than-life men like Jennings Osborne who lighted our world, threw countless everyman barbecues and taught us by example with his random acts of kindness. Or, think about fiercely gracious ladies like Jane Krutz who tirelessly lobbied to bring AETN to our state, arts to our schools and charity to our lost and least.

This Memorial Day, let’s remember that we are a people like no other, united in a stunningly faithful and free country. Then, actually sing and feel the words to our spirit-stirring “Star Spangled Banner.”

We are the land of the free because we are the home of the brave.

RITA MITCHELL-HARVEY

Little Rock

The road to recovery

An idyllic day, and a Monday at that.

No one passed me on a double yellow during the 30-mile commutes to and from work. Drivers used their turn signals to change lanes, and tailgating was absent from the normal rush hours. I did not observe any of the frequent scofflaws darting lane to lane as they wove their way through traffic too slow to suit their schedule.

Gone were the malcontents, last in line when the light changes, yet still run the red light. I saw no texting, blabbing on the cell phone, or application of mascara or lipstick. Even the radio traffic reports were missing the daily quota of wrecks.

I observed an admirable level of courtesy as drivers let others in from the side roads and drives rather than block the flow as is so frequently seen. Another pleasant surprise was the police officers observing the laws, which they have sworn to uphold.

Driving was a true pleasure.

What’s that noise? . . . beep, beep,beep . . . my alarm clock! It’s Monday morning and I’ve been dreaming.

I wish the dream would come true.

KEITH de NOBLE

Bigelow

Take back the power

Like all veterans, my brother and I watched Fletchergate unfold along its predictable lines. None of us were surprised at what happened or how much vets were hurt by it. We have a new director now. None of us are holding our breath.

Personally, I’m encouraged. That is tempered with the knowledge of how little female veterans seemed to matter under Dave Fletcher’s leadership and how little veterans in general seem to matter unless it’s an election year.

Inside both VA hospitals are large printed posters detailing patients’ rights and responsibilities. The hospitals are required to protect our privacy in regard to our medical records. I’ve taken back some of my power by refusing any test without a full explanation, at which point I will decide if it’s done.

DEBI YARBERRY

Little Rock

Rude drivers are issue

I never thought I would write a letter to a newspaper, but I read a letter that really set me off-the one from Dee Ray about drivers in wonderful central Arkansas.

It sounds like maybe he intended it to be about all of us not from there. We go there for many reasons, to go to one of the many medical hospitals, sports events or just for pleasure. Millions of our dollars are spent there for countless reasons. Many of us are going to Children’s Hospital or to the Veterans Hospital.

We don’t know all the streets and have to watch for signs while traveling anywhere from 65 to 75 miles an hour. We see drivers coming up a ramp to cut in front of us as if we don’t have any right to slow down just in case they cut us off. I am not an intruder. I am trying to get to where I’m going in one piece since they don’t seem to see me driving beside them.

People go to Little Rock from all over this state and other states, some just passing through. But one thing is for sure-they won’t forget driving in the Little Rock area and the rude people who want us to get out of the way.

It’s rush hour! How can you really tell? It seems like it’s rush hour 24/7.

I hope Ray doesn’t take offense to this letter like I did to the one he wrote. Drive safe and hopefully we will all have a safe trip there and back.

LILLA WATSON

Norphlet

The cost of progress?

It is embarrassing to me that Frank and Sandra Bruce’s friends were not progressive enough to pony up the fee to tour one of the accomplishments in which the Bruces claim such pride. While I would agree that most everything the Dear Leader of North Little Rock has done is indeed progressive posturing, it comes at a cost.

The Bruces seem quite willing to vote money straight from their neighbors’ pockets to pay for such prostrations to, in my opinion, a progressive ninnyhammer such as Mayor Patrick Hays, but they do not expect tourists to pay at the attractions. Attractions, mind you, lauded as something done to enhance city coffers, yet they only seem to drain them. So yes, the Bruces should “re-evaluate” and remind any out-of-town guests and fellow progressives we must all sacrifice, and wholeheartedly support the projects.

After all, for all we know these friends from another state could be the sort to don plaid shorts, Hawaiian shirts, black socks with brown sandals and inquire as to the location of the spittoons. We can’t have that gawking about the Dear Leader’s monument now, could we? Come to think of it, if the refusal of a tour at the Hays Center is reason not to return to North Little Rock, maybe it should be a required first stop for all visitors from north of the Mason-Dixon. Sounds like the Bruces’ friends might have been looking for a reason not to return. Careful-the phrase “big, fat no” may lead to mandatory diets from the Grand Potentate.

JON M. MILLER

Conway

Paid price of freedom

As a World War II medic with the 43rd Infantry Division in the Pacific, I witnessed the death of many who were fighting for our freedoms that have come at a great cost.

Last month I was reminded again of the supreme sacrifice of many as six of us WWII veterans were chosen by College of the Ozarks for a tour of the Philippines, where we all fought in the 1940s.

On the tour, we visited the American Cemetery and Memorial near Manila. It was a solemn reminder that our freedoms have always been costly. For those who did not return home after the war, we owe our gratitude.

Near the chapel at the center of the memorial are inscribed these words: “Comrades in arms whose earthly resting place is known only to God, let us here highly resolve that the cause for which they died shall live.”

Because of their ultimate sacrifice, we should always cherish our freedoms and never take them for granted.

ED KNIGHT

Little Rock

Where is experience?

I find it absolutely incredible that a man whose experience prior to obtaining the Oval Office was “community organizing” would criticize Mitt Romney’s business experience.

Where did Barack Obama get all of his money? Everything that I have read does not give evidence of a real job in his background.

DEAN HALEY

Benton

Editorial, Pages 15 on 05/28/2012

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