Remember our soldiers this holiday

12/29/2006

During the holiday season it is very easy to get caught up in some pretty unimportant pursuits, like getting the latest electronic game or attending the best parties. Even though we are a long way from Veteran's Day or Memorial Day, it is a good time to remember that the reason we are able to go to parties and buy electronic games without interference is because of the men and women in our military who are serving overseas, protecting us, putting themselves in constant danger. In the last 230 years thousands of soldiers have died for the freedom we take for granted and sometimes hold very cheaply.

Like most people, I'm normally caught up in commercialism during Christmas, but this year has been a little different. A month ago, on Thanksgiving Day, my cousin, Sgt. Jim Priestap, was killed by a sniper in Baghdad. His wife and two young children don't get to spend this Christmas with him, or any other Christmas. Because of people like my cousin, and thousands of other brave men and women, we can celebrate the season in peace.

Whatever you think about the war in Iraq, it might be a good idea, just once or twice during this holiday, to remember the sacrifice that so many have made for so many years so that we can have our freedoms. And regardless of your opinion about any war, never ever think that any of them has ever died in vain.

Stephen T. Priestap

Glendel Lane

Why do some people still vilify Carter?

Isn't it a shame how hard old hatreds die? Jimmy Carter has been out of office for 30 years and there are still some who want to vilify him.

Was he really the worst president in our history? Not if you study history and remember Richard Nixon. And what he has done since leaving office is far more than most ex-presidents do. His work with Habitat for Humanity has done unimaginable good for the human condition throughout the country.

As for Bill Clinton, the only ones he hurt were his family and himself. He and George H.W. Bush reconciled their differences and worked together for the good of people around the world and still managed to be civil to each other.

Surely a recent letter writer could have found something more germane to write about. Why not bury those old bones? Let's spend our energies trying to get out of the mess that the President Bush has created.

FRED McNAMAR

West Alexis Road

Very happy for the lady who won the million-dollar lottery scratch-off ticket. Very disappointed that she would receive $345,000. My thoughts were, if you won a million dollars on the lottery, you would get a million dollars.

I was in shock when I read that you would have to take it in installments, or you only get half. Do you think these store owners inform the players when they're shelling out $20 that when you win you'll received one third of the money? The Ohio Lottery sucks.

John Kralik

Oregon