Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 18, 1995 TAG: 9507190008
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
I was a proud American military man who returned home in uniform only to be spit on, cursed and knifed because I was a ``baby burner.'' I lost a lot of friends over there, and a lot of respect for our leaders here.
There is a dollar on the horizon, so let's forget the millions of lives affected by this unpopular war. Let's forget the pain, agony, anguish and misery. Let's forget it all and put it behind us while we chase the almighty dollar, because blood money makes everything better. You say it's over. I say go to hell.
STEPHEN DOUGLAS GARNETT
ROANOKE
National and local news to ponder
AFTER LEARNING about Supreme Court decisions to limit school integration and attacking federal job-quota systems, I drove to the top of Mill Mountain, gazed down at the Roanoke Valley and did some serious thinking. I thought about how Roanoke city took Northeast land, called Tank City, from African-Americans, and gave them such small compensation. Some had to move into city housing projects. That land must be worth a small fortune to the city today.
At least one public official has suggested that a school be built in a majority African-American district. The suggestion came right on the heels of the Supreme Court decisions. It makes me wonder.
Dark clouds formed in the sky in the shape of men, and they seemed to be dancing. Perhaps it was the dance of life. I thought it was time to go, but when I saw the shining light of the sun, I decided to stay a few more minutes.
GLORIA JEAN COAN
ROANOKE
An unkind remark on life and death
REGARDING Kathy P. Chitwood's June 16 letter to the editor, ``Johnson's four-minute ultimatum'':
Roanoke County Supervisor Bob Johnson's remark to her (``If we live long enough, we are all eventually going to meet our maker'') was very cold and unkind. I belong to a volunteer rescue squad covering a large area of Southside Bedford County. We pride ourselves on answering calls quickly, but sometimes it takes longer to scramble a crew. Maybe a crew cannot get to the Johnson house in four minutes, but perhaps he should be thankful they can make it at all. I have been on many codes, and have never made or heard a remark like his.
As a cardiopulmonary-resuscitation instructor, I tell people constantly that if at least one person in each household knew CPR, they, too, could help their loved one(s) and make a difference until advanced help arrives. Save a life - take a CPR class.
Rescue squads always need new members. Perhaps more people could help that way, but you must be dedicated to serving. A thank-you goes a long way, so give your volunteer rescue squad a pat on the back. Don't judge all crews by a few, and don't judge all people by Johnson.
BERTIE M. PADGETT
LPN III, EMT-CT
BEDFORD
A heartfelt message ... to a killer
WELL, killer, two years have passed since you murdered my daughter, Pamela Susan Gallagher. Are you proud of what you did? Have you washed her blood from your hands? Not likely that you ever will.
On Father's Day, thanks to you, I didn't receive a card or telephone call from her. And on Pam's birthday (July 8), I didn't have the pleasure of wishing her a happy birthday.
There's no way you will ever know how much you have hurt her family. But I doubt if you really care. Are you proud of your cowardly act? On the anniversary of her murder - June 23 - did you celebrate with a smile on your face while I sat here with a hole in my heart that will never heal? If you have children, will you tell them proudly that you took a young woman's life who had every right to live? I don't think so, because you are a coward.
Oh, sure, I will cope with the pain of her death, thanks to my faith in God. How are you coping? Does your conscience keep you awake at night as my hurt keeps me awake?
No, I don't hate you, because you are a child of God. I suppose I feel sorry for you, but I can never forgive you. Are you looking over your shoulder in constant fear of being apprehended? Oh, your time - sooner or later - will come in this world or the next. Are your prepared for the consequence?
JOHN A. GALLAGHER
ROANOKE
by CNB