Others have rights too
As today is Veterans' Day, I respectfully exercise my right to ask the University of Arkansas women's basketball coach to leave all players intending to show disrespect to our national flag back in the locker room.
As a retired United States Navy petty officer and corpsman, I feel a ballgame is not a "platform" for grievances. Perhaps it is time to buckle down on why they are on that ball court instead of staging "me too" stunts that do nothing but damage the university's standing.
These girls have athletic scholarships that are worth far, far more than scholarships given to students lucky enough to get one and who would actually complete a degree program if only given a chance. Prove "Black Lives Matter" by breaking the mold and becoming college jocks that actually value the amazing gift they are given by graduating. Then go home and help others get an education. Maybe spending time lifting up people instead of putting down people is in order. As Jesus said, lead with your actions, not your words. And pray in private, as these prayers are God's favorite.
I have heard loud and clear that they have a right to spit on the memory of the proud veterans of our nation, and I agree this is their right. But exercising a right does not always mean you are right and that you cannot be held responsible for doing so. With rights come responsibilities; ask any disabled veteran. My service-connected injuries are permanent and total. I know the meaning of sacrifice and I did a helluva lot more for my beliefs than kneel on a basketball court.
All of the rest of us have rights as well. And Veterans Day is my day, not yours. So, please protest in the locker room.
Veteran Lives Matter. All of them.
BUDDY BOYD
Eureka Springs
Don't forget sacrifice
What better way to celebrate Veterans Day than to honor all that served? What is that honor? Is it saying thank you for your service; or maybe applauding as a group of deploying or returning service members walk through an airport; or is it standing, hand over heart during the playing of the national anthem?
Recently a group of six female college basketball players took a knee and it went viral.
As a 24-year retired infantry first sergeant, I have mixed feelings. Is it more disrespectful to kneel quietly or to sit in the bleachers gaming or texting? I've watched people chew gum, chat on the phone, interact with their children, drink and eat while our anthem was being played. I guess as a Vietnam veteran I should be appalled, I should feel disrespected and I should condemn those few for their actions. I don't.
I took an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States. Part of our Constitution is freedom of speech. Speech is not defined as printed, spoken or silent. That said, it is not for me to judge, condemn or restrain anyone from expressing their opinion. If you do it peacefully, respectively and without harm to anyone or anything, I do not have a problem with it.
In all our wars and conflicts over 1 million men and women gave their lives to preserve the freedoms we enjoy today.
Rather than getting wrapped around an axle of who is kneeling or who is not on this Veterans Day, use that energy to visit a gravesite of a fallen soldier, or visit a nursing home and thank an old veteran that no longer has family, or simply thank a veteran for their service. And never ever forget someone gave their tomorrow so you could have today.
God bless America.
STAN JAROS
Cammack Village
An absolute disgrace
My favorite part of the day is that first cup of coffee and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on my front porch. I am almost ashamed to admit that most times I immediately focus on the sports section as I am growing tired of the constant political rhetoric we have to endure.
To my dismay on a recent morning, what do I see but young women on the U of A basketball team kneeling during the national anthem. Are you kidding me? Go away! Move to North Korea, see if you can get a free college education there, see if they will allow you to eat free, sleep free, and provide you a quality education ... free. I am furious.
Jimmy Dykes, kick them off the team, please, this is an absolute disgrace.
JAY TODD JANES
Maumelle
Remember warriors
One hundred years ago the conflict known as "The Great War" or the "War to End All Wars" was 2 years old and would drag on for another two years. One of the few good things (maybe the only good thing) to come out of that horrendous event was a body of work by men and women known collectively as "The War Poets."
Two of the most prominent were Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon, who were both active participants in the conflict and became friends at a war hospital. Sassoon survived but Owen was killed in battle just one week before the armistice became effective. His poems were collected by Sassoon and published after the war. Perhaps Owen's most celebrated poem was one describing the horrors of a gas attack which ended with the Latin phrase, "The old lie: Dulce et decorum est/Pro patria mori." which translates to "It is sweet and becoming to die for one's country."
John McCrae was lesser-known but penned the most recognizable poem associated with the war, "In Flanders Fields." He too died before the war ended, from pneumonia.
Later wars did not produce any comparable warrior poets, but WWII war correspondent Ernie Pyle's prose accounts and Bill Mauldin's cartoons had poetic elements of their own.
Ironically, one of Sassoon's last poems of the era, "Aftermath," began with the question, "Have you forgotten yet?" Too quickly our collective memories fade, too soon we forget. Too few of us know or even care about those heroes and poets who lie in Flanders Fields, where poppies still blow.
JOHN McPHERSON
Searcy
How to help a veteran
"Thank you for your service." Simple words that can provoke a variety of responses, depending on how individual veterans feel about their service. Coming from a civilian, it's a nice gesture. Coming from a fellow vet, it's an honor. Coming from the VA, it often adds insult to injury. There are better ways to honor the many veterans in our community than simply saying these words. These include:
• Visiting a veterans' nursing home, either by yourself, with a children's or social group, or even with a trained service animal (check with administration on policies first).
• Sending cards, gift baskets and even flowers to hospitalized vets (and remember, some vets are female).
• Organizing a dinner or other event honoring veterans in your community, or visiting house-bound veterans in their own homes.
• Contacting your elected representatives about the continued need to resolve problems at the VA.
• Supporting legislation on the state and federal level to help veterans and returning service members find employment and housing.
• Hiring a vet, especially a disabled or homeless one. The disciplines and values gained in defense of this country can be of value to any company, even if the skill sets don't exactly match your job opening.
And as you are saying "thank you for your service," let me say "thank you for your support."
KATHERINE TUCKER
Perryville
Editorial on 11/11/2016