ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, September 21, 1996 TAG: 9609230001
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A7 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
ON RETURNING to Roanoke after a 25-year absence, I was struck by a profound change of attitude by Roanoke's citizens. I left a small, classic Southern city confident in its future and proud of its past. I've come back to a city that has simply forgotten what a special place it is.
Roanoke isn't Charlotte, Atlanta, Richmond or Greensboro. But it's still the gentle, cultured place nestled at the gateway of the Shenandoah Valley, made special by its ties with the raiilroad, its sense of history and its belief in its own unique position in the founding of this land.
As I speak with old friends who have remained here, I am confronted with a seemingly unexplained sense of dread for the future and an abiding inferiority complex. Having traveled to most of the metro areas east of the Mississippi, I believe Roanoke does not need to take a back seat to any I've seen. Wherever I traveled, I was always proud to tell the people I met that I was born and raised in Roanoke. And this never failed to bring forth a positive response.
If Roanokers need inspiration for the future, especially those over 40 years old, they need only look to their past. Maybe we need to start telling ourselves just how lucky and special we are. We have known it all along - we just need to start remembering it.
JOHN MURPHY
VINTON
Don't buy into Dole's desperation
BY NOW, everyone who watches television or picks up a newspaper knows that Bob Dole is the No. 1 war hero of all times. So now, he wants to be the No. 1 president of all times.
He's got everything figured out - even a retirement check for the rest of his life after about six months to a year in the White House. Then his sidekick, Jack Kemp, will take over as president.
Dole is a desperate man with only one more chance. For God's sake, people, don't give it to him. He talks a good line, but there's nothing at the other end.
ROGER SHELTON
SALEM
Veterans weren't excluded in 1994
REGARDING the Sept. 3 article, ``Area man was featured speaker in remembrance of Anzio battle'':
I am pleased that Anzio veteran Clyde Easter finally made it to the speaker's podium in the commemoration this June of Allied losses during Anzio, and the breakout and liberation of Rome. But I deeply regret statements attributed to him that there were no veterans involved in the 50th anniversary celebrations of 1994. The article states:
``Easter's anger with the exclusion of World War II veterans from 50th anniversary ceremonies in Italy two years ago led to his invitation to speak at Memorial Day ceremonies this year at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy.''
Easter may claim to have been misquoted, but it's 100 percent wrong that veterans didn't take part in the 1994 ceremonies.
The return of veterans to Italy for the 50th anniversary celebration of the liberation of Rome on June 4, 1994, was coordinated by the Rome 1994 Committee, composed of representatives of World War II Italian Campaign units. The vice chairman was Dr. John Shirley, then-president of the Society of the 3rd Infantry Division - the unit with which Easter served.
The 3rd Division Society sponsored a 1994 tour for more than 200 veterans and family members who visited battlefields from Africa to Germany. They, along with 750 veterans and family members from other veterans associations, attended the June 4, 1994, memorial services at the U.S. Cemetery in Nettuno.
Easter claims to have been ``bumped off'' the 1994 memorial program. To the best of our knowledge, he was never on that program to begin with. The speakers included Dr. Shirley, a veteran, who introduced President Clinton.
Since, apparently through the intercession of Sen. John Warner, Easter was asked to take part this year, the Department of State and Department of the Army should contact associations representing World War II Italian veterans and make sure they are asked to provide a representative for any future memorial programs.
WILLIAM S. STORY
MONETA
LENGTH: Medium: 81 linesby CNB