In the June 9 editorial “Let them in: Keep Arlington Cemetery for all eligible vets,” it was noted that we are running out of space for eligible veterans and certain family members to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The government made a promise to veterans that burial at Arlington was their right. However, it was also noted that there are currently 134 national cemeteries throughout the land.
Recently, my family and I had the honor of inurnment of the ashes of my late wife at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Mich. Driving into that cemetery, on the Avenue of Flags, one’s eye is immediately drawn to row after row of pristine white grave markers framed against green grass and blue sky.
While my wife’s soul rests in heaven, her earthly remains will lie among heroes for all eternity on this hallowed ground. It is clearly beautiful and distinguished and well worth a visit.
GLENN SHIELDS
Maumee
Editor’s note: Mr. Shields is a retired soldier of the U.S. Army.
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Immigrants must enter legally
I would like to respond to the June 14 letter, “Family separation is inhumane.”
If families come to the border at a legal crossing point, they are not separated. But because these families chose to sneak across the border illegally, they have broken the law and are put in jail until their case is brought to trial.
Would you prefer that they put the kids in jail, too?
KATHIE DONALDSON
Archbold
Officials lack a real plan
The Lucas County Land Bank and city of Toledo officials have until June 26 to inspect St. Anthony Church (June 12, “Diocese grants time for inspection of St. Anthony Church”).
There are still concerns over separation of church and state and it needs to be made certain that no taxpayer funds or any other special benefits go to the Diocese of Toledo in exchange for the land and building. The building will never be a church again while owned by the city or other public agency that accepts tax dollars.
If the city succeeds in getting the building and land as a gift, it still needs to make Padua Center whole. They will be injured by the loss of the cleared land they had hoped to use to expand their programing for the neighborhood.
U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) and city officials flew in to save a relic of their religion’s past glory without any real concrete plan to redevelop it.
DOUGLAS BERGER
West Toledo
Editor’s note: Mr. Berger is president of Secular Humanists of Western Lake Erie.
First Published June 18, 2018, 9:43 p.m.
