I recently attended the memorial service for Maj. Dewayne Williams on Sept. 11 in Jacksonville. I want to thank Ken Rollins and especially the Vietnam Veterans who participated in the ceremony. I was deeply moved by the Fallen Comrade ceremony they performed.
My husband and three of my brothers served in Vietnam. One of my brothers was awarded the Purple Heart and another was awarded two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star.
One of my co-workers, who also attended the ceremony, had a brother who died in Vietnam. I appreciate the honor these men showed to Maj. Williams and to their country.
I only wish they could have been shown the same honor and appreciation when they returned from serving their country.
May God bless them all.
Karen Barnwell Tierce
Jacksonville
The Times and The Star
Calhoun County native and nationally known author Rick Bragg wrote an article in a recent Sunday’s New York Times about the planned startup of the chemical weapons incinerator at the Anniston Army Depot. The article, which appeared on the front page of the most famous daily newspaper in the United States, was entitled “Burning of Chemical Arms Puts Fear in the Wind.”
Although The Star is a regular subscriber to the New York Times news service, this front page story about Calhoun County was not reprinted in our local paper. While there may be many reasons why The Star chose to keep this article from seeing the light of day here, one need look no further than to what Mike Abrams said about our community to The New York Times. According to the article, Mr. Abams was quoted as saying, “I firmly believe that the incinerator should not be burdened with the safety of the community when we don’t present a realistic threat to the community.”
It is shocking to read how the Army really feels about the 75,000 people who live within the nine-mile radius of this facility, including the people living near AAD who were profiled in the Times story. Maybe if more people in Calhoun County had an opportunity to read the Times article they would begin to understand why the Army and FEMA have failed to overpressurize our schools, hospitals, and nursing homes; why it took years to get money for the software upgrade at our local EMA; and why the 3,900 special needs individuals have no protection. Obviously, the Army simply does not want to be “burdened” with the safety of our citizens.
Julie Gray
Anniston
Internet charges
Please give us at least the names of decedents on your accessible home page obituaries link. As out-of-town residents, it is the only way we have of knowing when friends or distant relatives have passed away. Please consider this as a public service.John A. Venable
Phenix City
Emergency workers
We would like to take this opportunity to salute the Anniston Emergency Service for the great work they do each day to help others. Not only do they do their jobs, they go beyond the call of duty. To each of you, our thanks and prayers will be with you daily.The times they transported our mother from home to the Physician’s Center they always came in with a smile and showing concern for her.
The kindness they showed to our family during the time she passed away, there are no words that express how much they have meant to us.
Please, always remember them in your prayers. They risk their lives each day to save the lives of others. We salute them as heroes.
Irma Laney, Ohatchee
For the Ruth Goodwin Family
Breakfast with Osama
After reading the front page of the Sept. 24 Anniston Star, I have grown quite disturbed of the ignorance of some of the things being printed lately.Do you people realize that we are in a terrorist war? I can’t believe that anyone would print what chemicals are currently being stored at the Anniston Army Depot.
I mean, come on guys, why not just print exactly which igloos they are being stored in; or, better yet, just go ahead and invite Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden to breakfast tomorrow.
Anthony Lambert
Wellborn
Workers appreciated
May I take a minute of your time to say that all the workers that donated their time, knowledge and free services were not inmates of the Calhoun County Jail.May credit be given where credit was due a long time ago. This has been brought to the attention of “Nuff said” by myself after such a long time.
I thought I knew Eli Henderson well enough that after he read all the writeups in The Star he would correct this statement being made. There were others, I am sure, that donated their time and skills that also need to be recognized. Not only my sons.
Thank you for letting me speak out in your column.
I would also like to thank my sons for a job well done.
Sandra C. Holley
Anniston
For Parker
My 73-year-old veteran friend Byrl was bedridden on oxygen and getting worse weekly. Then home health care advised Byrl on Christmas Eve he no longer qualified for home care.Byrl panicked and cried he would rather die at home than live in a nursing home.
We wrote a letter begging for help to six incumbent politicians — Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Max Cleland, Richard Shelby, Bob Riley and Jeff Sessions. We heard from three and were ignored by three. Congressmen Riley, Cleland and Shelby wrote, but to our surprise and disappointment, your so-called Sen. Sessions never answered dying Byrl’s plea for help. Maybe the man helped you, but Byrl now lies in Parkhill Cemetery beyond help.
I have met Susan Parker and I feel Susan cares enough to do her very best to help the helpless as well as all Alabamians — even Sessions. At least Susan can do no worse than your so-called Sen. Sessions, in my opinion.
Earl Mack Gavin
Smiths Station
