Saturday, May 24, 2003
Let's mark Memorial Dayin the way it was intended
EDITOR:
Our nation's veterans who are no longer with us deserve a national day of honor and recognition. Memorial Day is the day.
World War II was the single most violent conflict in our national history. By the grace of God, our fallen heroes were saved from the clutches of a totalitarian dictatorship. Japan surrendered shortly thereafter.
In the war for Iraq, our nation put an end to Saddam Hussein's reign; our nation sacrificed the lives of our finest. More than 145 U.S. deaths were confirmed. To honor those killed as well as their families, we pay tribute this Memorial Day.
Lest we forget, Memorial Day is the day to honor and remember those who have given their all in our conflicts down through the years. Their day has a special meaning for families who grieve for a loved one lost in the service of our nation. Let us in sincere humility offer a prayer for those young lives ended on Normandy, Ardennes, Bastogne, Cassino, Remagen, Vietnam, Korea, Desert Storm and Iraq.
For many of us, our tributes will take the form of visiting grave sites, parading, or spending time in private prayer. Our living veterans invite the general public to join them to participate with them in many community activities including various parades, decorating graves and attending their cemetery memorial services.
VINCENT J. DORIA
Youngstown
XThe writer is service officer for American Legion Post 565.
More trees, green spacesdisappear for commerce
EDITOR:
There seems to be a problem with preserving trees and green space in our area as they are sacrificed in the name of commerce and convenience.
One of the last natural areas remaining in Boardman Township is being bulldozed to make way for a repeat of a store that currently exists less than a mile away.
In our beautiful and pristine Mill Creek Park, trees, plants and various animals will be discarded for a bike trail even though the park provides plenty of recreational hiking and biking space already.
In Austintown, acres of green space will be sacrificed for an industrial park, much to the dismay of thousands of residents, some of whom braved freezing weather last winter to get petitions signed.
Why the fuss about trees? In addition to the vast list of negative consequences when deforestation occurs, I propose another hypothesis: When a community disrespects its natural surroundings and compromises its environmental quality, that attitude transfers to animals and finally to humans.
Our area has a high rate of animal abuse, and statistics prove that it is one of the most violent communities in the nation. What message does our environmental disregard send to our children regarding the value we place on life?
As the bulldozers press forward and our children hear the crackling sound of trees falling, think about their reaction and their future? Trees and green space -- it's more than just environmental, it's for our most precious beings -- our children.
JIM PETUCH
Youngstown
Grateful for a clean park
EDITOR:
I want to thank the wonderful citizens who did such a great job cleaning up Crandall Park May 3. Once again, our park is a beautiful place to be.
M.A. O'NEIL
Youngstown