THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, November 20, 1995 TAG: 9511160022
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 30 lines
The theft of pumpkins and halloween decorations by ODU students from surrounding neighborhoods was criminal, not to mention unneighborly.
However, statements attributed to Scott Ward, Larchmont Civic League president, made me stop and think, ``Oh, really, give me a break!''
He claims that young children were affected by the theft of their pumpkins because ``it (the pumpkin) becomes a member of the family and that's what they stole.''
It's a pumpkin, for crying out loud! Something we make pies out of a month later for Thanksgiving. That must really traumatize a young child!
I think Mr. Ward's statement about ``suffering'' should also be put into perspective. Maybe next year instead of buying pumpkins and decorations, Mr. Ward and his neighbors could collect that money and donate it so that hungry men, women and children could be fed a holiday dinner.
One benefit would be that their children would see their parents practice caring, compassion and love toward fellow human beings.
BETTIE McMORAN
Virginia Beach, Nov. 4, 1995 by CNB