Letters and comments for June 1, 2011

All veterans measure up

To the Editor:

I’m noticing many pick-up trucks and other automobiles with veteran license plates and military stickers. I’m also noting that many are piloted by younger and younger drivers. Considering myself to be young (a young 55-year-old, slightly too healthy), I sometimes catch myself wondering where the driver’s dad served.

Truth be told, with wars going on — in at least two countries and service members sacrificing on every ocean and nearly every continent — those drivers likely are the veterans.

We haven’t done real well preparing these folks to be “young veterans’’ (who may feel old). War being what it is I’m not sure we can. They have grown up listening to talk about America’s “Greatest Generation’’ and WW II. They may doubt they measure up.

No veteran that I have visited with wanted to be “there” when buddies and shipmates were dying. They are all great in mind.

Veterans of all ages measure up, no matter the circumstances. So, while still thinking of myself as young, I know that the next generation of veterans have paid the price.

I thank them.

Cameron McGinnis

Cove

Wonderful experience

To the Editor:

I have recently returned from a trip of a lifetime. The total expense of this trip — airfare, motel-hotel, all meals — was furnished and paid for by a wonderful organization, Honor Flight Network.

Priority is given to World War II veterans.

If you are a WW II veteran and have not heard of this, please look me up in the phone book and I will give you the information you need to make this wonderful trip.

Roy Hills

Island City