Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 28, 1995                   TAG: 9504290009
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

`OLD FIRST' NURTURED GENERATIONS

The flames that leaped and angrily devoured the structure, which housed the very foundation of our religious life and experiences, weren't fiery enough to destroy our spirits. We were lovingly and carefully nurtured there by all the families who were ``Old First.'' They taught us by precept and example the dignity of worship, the power of prayer and an everlasting faith that can remove mountains.

God grant that we may call upon that faith to see us through this devastation and destruction without bitterness and without questioning God's will.

Yes, I weep sad tears for five generations of my family, and for all the families who made ``Old First'' what it was and what it will continue to be in sad, sweet and sacred memories.

EUNICE R. POINDEXTER

ROANOKE

Candidate's position is afoul

WHEN Dr. Newell Falkinburg announced his candidacy for the state legislature (April 14 article, ``1st GOP hopeful enters race to face Woodrum''), he said he wanted parental notification for abortion to be required by law in Virginia. Yet the good doctor is running afoul of the most prominent medical organizations in the country. The American Medical Association opposes abortion-notification laws. So do the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and dozens of other associations of physicians.

If all these highly respected medical organizations oppose abortion notification on medical grounds, why does Falkinburg think otherwise? What makes him right and so many other physicians wrong? Let us hope he isn't choosing political expediency over the health of young women in Virginia.

LINDA R. APPEL

ROANOKE

Book profits should compensate vets

I HEARD it suggested that former Defense Secretary Robert McNamara should donate his book profits to disabled veterans who were injured in war efforts that he directed.

It reminded me of my first thoughts when I heard his comments about being wrong. My vivid memory is of the motorized gurneys that were everywhere on the grounds of McGuire Veterans Affairs Hospital in Richmond. They were ``driven'' by veterans with permanent spinal-cord injuries who will never walk or sit up again. They will spend the rest of their lives on their stomach, only moving their arms, hands or fingers.

If McNamara has any trace of remorse or consciousness, he'll stand on the corner selling his books, giving every dime to these betrayed patriots who believed and trusted him while he lied to America and led them to death or disability.

JACK WATTS

BOONES MILL

Turning to God after the tragedy

PRAYER? A taboo word when it comes to schools. God? A supreme being that's called upon during times of trouble.

I find it strange that our hypocritical atheistic leaders and the news media of this country in the past several days have been calling upon Americans to pray. Sorry, but carnage has taken place. Shut the barn door after the horse has gotten out. That mentality has never worked.

As soon as the rubble is cleared, bodies recovered and buried, it will be back to business as usual.

A heinous disaster took place in Oklahoma City. Sometimes you have to hit the mule between the eyes with a 2-by-4 to get his attention. But how long is this attention span going to last?

GARY K. SPENCE

CHRISTIANSBURG

Convicted molester deserves no pity

I'M DISGUSTED with your newspaper! Regarding your April 18 article about Reiko L. Smith, convicted baby molester (``Sodomizer gets 60-year sentence''):

You once again succeeded in making the assailant's life seem so pitiful that we, the readers, should understand why he sodomized an 18-month-old baby. So what if he saw his father killed - is this supposed to justify what he did? I'm so tired of hearing these criminals' excuses as reported by your newspaper and the rest of the liberal press. You bleeding hearts make me sick! That monster took something from that sweet baby that can never be returned to him.

JACKIE MORRIS

SALEM