America is as strong as American steel

America is as strongas American steel
EDITOR:
Today we watch as one steel company after another makes its trek to the bankruptcy court to dissolve its assets and end the careers of more hard working men and women of steel. Yesterday it was CSC, and today it is LTV. Who will be next?
Hundreds of thousands of men and women have poured their life's blood into making these companies what they once were. Today they stand and watch as a judge surgically divides what is left. I now sit and ponder what my father and grandfather thought as they went off to the mill to build this great nation.
The giant structures of stone and steel that rose in the sky during our lifetime were brought down in one coordinated terrorist act. There were the great ships of war that brought freedom to oppressed people everywhere and the skies filled with planes that sent the island nation of the rising sun scampering back to their home shores.
I am a proud 46-year-old steelworker and the son and grandson of steelworkers who labored to build our homes, our communities and our nation. It is time that this nation begins to protect the industry that rose up to defeat Fascism, Nazism and Communism. The people of this great nation rose up after that fateful day, December 7, 1941, to fulfill the prophetic uttering of the Japanese admirals when they said that they fear they have only awaken a sleeping giant. We have out produced with quantity and quality every nation on this earth and we can and will again.
Sixty years ago we were awakened by a dastardly attack on our people and we rose to build the mightiest fighting force the world has ever seen. It was our fathers, mothers, aunts and uncles who built those ships, planes, tanks and bombs, and it is up to us to maintain the peace that they gave us. Three months ago, we again faced a challenge that we are rising to overcome but forces outside our control are eroding our strength. It is now up to us to rise and defeat terrorism and those who would attempt to destroy us from within and without.
What good is steel? Not a ship that floats, a plane that flies, a bomb that is dropped or a missile that races to its target could be there without the American steel industry. Our cars, bridges or our skyscrapers would not be there if not for the men and women that stand by the furnaces. For the good of the country, for the good of the communities and for the good of the American people, that's what steel is good for. Today we must tell our legislators that for the good of this great nation we must protect our industrial base. We must stand strong, yes, "strong as steel."
JIM COURIM
Niles
X The writer is a member of USWA Local 1375.
Patriotism a necessity in times of peace and war
EDITOR:
As a young adult, I am puzzled as to why it takes an act of terrorism or a similar tragedy to awaken patriotism in this country. Patriotism should be present in our lives 365 days a year. It should not be a feeling that Americans express only when we are threatened by terrorism.
American people have much to be thankful for and proud of in this great country, but the newspapers are filled with articles regarding less-than-honest politicians, improprieties in the justice system and mishandling of public funds.
It is no wonder that the American people tend to lose sight of the more important things in life, such as freedom of speech and the protection of important fundamental rights.
Americans are residents of the greatest nation on the planet, yet, it is too often taken for granted. Maybe Americans only become concerned when our values and freedoms are threatened. It is sad that Americans do not recognize what they have by being citizens of the United States.
Additionally, why are the firefighters and policemen and policewomen of our states only recognized as heroes when they die in the line of duty? Are they not heroes each and every day that they put their lives on the line to protect our property and well-being?
Americans need to open their eyes and recognize that they are very privileged to live in this country and to express patriotism as an effort to keep our nation strong and united.
JOCELYN PELLETIER
North Jackson
X The writer is an English student of Eric Eye at Jackson-Milton High School.