Military surgeon from Valley says morale is high in Iraq

Military surgeon from Valleysays morale is high in Iraq
EDITOR:
I am currently on active duty at a military installation in Iraq. I am the surgeon for the 320th Military Police Battalion at the Central Baghdad Prison. I am in charge of all the medical operations here.
This is a very remote base. The food is good, but there is not a lot of access to radio and television. The Internet is great.
We use our helmets and body armor 24/7. This is the first Christmas I have ever been away from home, which is now in Champion. I've been in Kosovo and Afghanistan before but never on Christmas. I always enjoyed watching "The Bob Hope Christmas Specials" with the troops and wondered what it would be like to be away on Christmas. This year I am finding out. On Christmas Day, I plan to attend Mass and be with the medics I work with. They are a great bunch of people.
Morale is high here, and if there is anything I would say to our veterans at home, it is this: American patriotism is alive and well in the U.S. military. Every American would be proud to see how these young men and women are carrying out their duties.
I am proud to to be a part of this operation.
Lt. Col. DAVE YEROPOLI
Baghdad, Iraq
To feel the spirit of Christmas,give generously to the needy
EDITOR:
The greatest anyone can give themselves this Christmas is to give what they could afford to someone less fortunate than themselves.
The true spirit of Christmas doesn't come with a price tag. No gift is more beautifully gift wrapped than the gift of money, food, toys or clothes, etc. if it is given from the heart.
Let's hope and pray that no child is deprived of finding a gift to open Christmas Day, and no stomach feels the pain of hunger.
Just think how great it is to be Santa Claus and not even having to grow whiskers and wear that red suit and cap.
Ho, Ho, Ho, and a Merry Christmas to everyone, I hope.
MARY LOU JURINA
Youngstown
Burghill man appreciatesaid from theater, others
EDITOR:
I would like to begin by extending my sincere thanks to so many people who have been so wonderful me and my family since my illness with brain-stem encephalitis that began in July. On Dec. 11, many of our friends and family came together and organized a benefit in my honor at the Trumbull New Theatre, with the play "Out of the Kitchen Mrs. Claus." The cast put on a wonderful performance. We thank the director and the staff of the TNT for being so gracious. There are so many people to thank, during these past five months, I surely cannot name them all, but they know who they are.
Also, there have been some anonymous donations and gifts given to me and my family, so whoever you are, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. It is quite amazing how people don't even think twice when it comes to someone they care about, is ill and they open their hearts to them, they are the true heroes.
Thank you and God Bless.
TODD HODGSON
Burghill
More safeguards are neededto ensure tamper-free voting
EDITOR:
I can't believe that, even after the last voting mess in Florida, many Americans are set to use new voting machines that won't allow a trustworthy recount if necessary.
It was a great idea for Congress to provide money for new voting machines, but the touch-screen computerized machines are vulnerable to computer hacking and tampering.
The solution is easy, but for some reason it has not been made into a requirement.
The machines should be required to issue a receipt to all voters.
For the sake of our democracy, we should insist that Congress require all states to create a paper trail we can trust.
GARY SEXTON
Youngstown