How can any American dishonor a veteran's grave?

How can any American dishonor a veteran's grave?
EDITOR:
My father, George S. Scott, died March 20, 2005. He served as a Marine in WWII. He was in the 5th Marine Division that invaded Iwo Jima and was injured twice during the battle. After his first injury, he insisted on returning to the field against the advice of his commanders and was injured again. This injury left him crippled for the rest of his life.
I remember every day of his life the pain he experienced in his leg. Not that he ever complained openly in front of his family, but at times as a little girl I could hear him cry out in pain behind closed doors. My mother would tell us children that your father's leg is hurting, but not to mention to him that you heard anything. We never did tell him and he never really talked too much about the war. I think he always felt it was his American duty and the pride he felt for his country and our freedom. I am so proud of my father and considered it an honor to have known him.
My mother placed a bronze flag holder on his grave for Memorial Day to honor him for his valor in serving his country. He served his country so that other Americans could be free, could walk on both legs, have both arms, and could live to share life with their families.
My mother went to my father's grave to pick up the bronze flag holder. It was gone. I've been told that people steal these markers to melt them down for money. My mother cried.
CAROL FOSTER
Austintown
Picking up the tab is one thing; this was too much
EDITOR:
On how many occasions does a group of 15 people go out for lunch? Well, it happens everyday, but not with this story attached.
Just recently, 15 individuals and staff from No Limits Alternative Center (a center for individuals with disabilities) attended a lunch at the Hartville Kitchen near Akron. Each person was required to bring $15 to pay for lunch and dessert. Fifteen dollars is a lot to ask, especially when most people are on fixed incomes. Not often do we go to sit-down restaurants such as Hartville. It was going to be a great treat for everyone. Well, that wasn't even the start.
When we arrived, everyone put their orders in, with staff monitoring the cost of meals. Our dinners were brought to the table and everyone jumped in without any hesitation. Our waitresses came back to take our dessert orders. Some of the individuals were not going to be able to order dessert because of the cost of their meals. At that time our waitresses notified us of something amazing. Someone who still remains anonymous had paid for our meals. We looked at one another in shock. We had all experienced a friend paying for another friend or something similar to that, but one person paying for fifteen people! It was a great gift. We will probably never know the person who did this, but hopefully through this letter a big thank you is heard. There are some really great people out there. One of the individuals who attends No Limits said, "God's gonna take care of the person who did that for us."
TRACIE CORLL
Youngstown
Give me a new Liberty
EDITOR:
I'm writing to discuss the issue of how Liberty needs to be built up. I think that Liberty is boring. There's not much excitement here. There should be more places to shop around here, places where the youth can hang out, etc.
I'm kind of getting tired of having to drive to Niles or Boardman in order to shop or hang out. It's not like Liberty doesn't have the space. There is space in the Liberty Plaza, open lots going up and down Belmont, and many vacant stores next to thriving businesses.
Building up Liberty can bring more excitement and attractions. It can put us more on the map. When someone talks about Liberty, people will not have to ask "where?" or "what" are they talking about?" They will know.
Maybe if there were more things to do, more businesses, and more recreational places, people would be less likely to move out of Liberty. They will stay, and it might be even possible that others may want to live here also. The community might become even more diverse, which is good.
Liberty is a nice place, and it could be even better if there were more clothing stores, a movie theater and an all purpose store (a Walmart or a Target).
CHERRISSE CONSTANTINE
Youngstown
Workers Comp offers more than some employers know
EDITOR:
The writer of the May 21 letter, "Workers' Compensation plan irks Valley business owner," expressed concern regarding the rate increases and that this area's unemployment rate is the highest in the state.
To address these concerns: Granted there has been an increase in rates, like everything else these days, however, is she taking advantage of all the free, yes free services that are offered by Workers' Comp. To name a few:
They offer assessments and monitoring of your workplace.
They have a Premium Discount Program, and Drug Free Work Place Program to help reduce your rates.
You may receive a 4% discount on premiums by attending safety seminars through local Safety Councils.
The staff works with employers to develop and implement return-to-work programs.
They have a Comprehensive Fraud Department that works to reduce Workers' Comp abuse and fraud.
They will work with you to have a safe work environment, which means, less accidents and illness, which means lower rates.
I feel the businesses in Ohio are fortunate because at this time we are one of the 4 monopolistic states left in the country, which means business must go through the state for their Workers' Comp, unless you are large enough to be self insured. The rates in other states are not any lower than the state of Ohio. Private insurance companies do not offer the comprehensive safety and risk management services that are provided by Ohio Workers' Comp.
As a safety consultant, I find that many businesses are unaware of the services Workers' Comp has to offer.
Many of the employers that take advantage of these services receive tremendous discounts on their premiums through the group rating program.
MARY LOU SOCCORSY
Health & amp; Safety Services, Inc.
Youngstown
President was out of line
EDITOR:
Amidst the 24-7 media coverage of President Bush's secret visit to Iraq I have seen no comment upon two revealing points.
First, why was the trip kept secret even from the Iraqi Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki, whom the president intended to meet? Al-Maliki was totally unaware of the meeting until five minutes before Bush arrived. Did he not trust the Iraqi prime minister enough to allow him advanced notice? Bush's presumption of being welcome is arrogantly insulting.
Second, since when does one head of state visit another sovereign country (Iraq is sovereign, is it not?) without waiting for an invitation? The answer, of course, is that among sovereign states such an affront does not happen. Colonial powers, on the other hand, visited their colonies (England used to refer to the American colonies as "His Majesty's plantations") whenever they so wished. No permission was required between lords and subjects.
President Bush may have wanted to look al-Maliki in the eye as he has boasted. But in the process, wittingly or not, he demonstrated clearly who is calling the shots. In so doing, the president has made it immeasurably more difficult for the Iraq government to show its people that it can govern them independently.
PAUL W. McBRIDE
West Ithaca, N.Y,
The writer is a Youngstown native who recently retired from Ithaca College, where he taught United States history for over 30 years.