DATE: Sunday, May 11, 1997                  TAG: 9705100009

SECTION: COMMENTARY              PAGE: J4   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Editorial

                                            LENGTH:  187 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

HEALTH

Organ-donor stories are an inspiration

The Virginian-Pilot deserves our heartfelt appreciation for the poignant, inspirational stories concerning organ transplants during National Organ Transplant Week (April 20-26).

The act of signing up to be an organ donor is one that is totally absolved of discrimination and hatred. It is a pure gift that touches many more lives than just the recipient's.

Hopefully, your stories brought encourgement to people in need of a transplant, and inspired others to contribute in a way they never thought possible.

Milton Chappell

Michael Valentine

Norfolk, April 26, 1997

VOLUNTEERS

Most people readily respond to need

Colin Powell graced the cover of Newsweek asking America to step forward with volunteerism. I wonder if we in Hampton Roads will step up and answer that call. Most people would instantly respond yes, because we already have many volunteer and charity organizations. But two recent incidents leave me doubting.

The first regards the building of a home for outpatients with cancer. The house would allow cancer patients and their families coming from great distances to stay without the worry of hotel expenses. Local residents of that neighborhood protested the building of the home. They felt that the traffic congestion would be too much. Luckily City Council voted to allow the home to be built.

The second involves a local restaurant. Recently, local celebrities and restaurants held a charity for child abuse. The celebs acted as waiters and hostesses to help bring in a crowd. The restaurants agreed to give 10 percent of earnings. One of the restaurant owners decided instead of losing money on the deal, he would raise his prices 10 percent to balance out his act of ``charity.''

All one can hope is that these individuals are the exceptions and not the rule.

Andrew Dewitt

Virginia Beach, May 1, 1997

Yes, let's teach children to make a difference

People are complaining about ``mandating'' volunteerism in the schools. Are they seriously against it? To teach responsibility as a ``real world'' issue is a step in the right direction. Do they really consider that only the 3 R's should be taught? Shouldn't our children learn about the needs of humans and animals and all living things as a natural part of life?

I can't wait until learning about running a home and balancing checkbooks, morals and honesty and consideration of others will be ``mandated.'' Our schools are going to the malls, why not to nursing homes and other places, too many to list, in need of help? We might come up with a generation of adults who can make a difference while they have the privilege of life.

C. A. Kemp

Virginia Beach, April 30, 1997

Each of us has something to contribute

As I read about and watch news coverage of the President's Summit on America's Future, I feel compelled to once again thank the many volunteers in the Portsmouth area who made such a positive impact on my life more than 20 years ago.

I had the honor and privilege of representing my hometown as the 1974 Junior Miss and the 1975 Miss Portsmouth (Miss America preliminary). I was fortunate to do well at the state level of competition with the support and help of family, friends, caring volunteers from these organizations and teachers who instilled in me the belief that I could succeed. Many people opened their homes and hearts and gave of their time and money to me.

I am now an active volunteer in my community and appreciate how rewarding it is to help and encourage young people. The satisfaction and delight that I receive from a child's success or smile is far greater than anything I give up to volunteer. We all have something to contribute to today's youth. Please find a way.

Lonnell Freeman Battle

Alexandria, April 28, 1997

THE CONFEDERATE FLAG

Not a symbol of racism

Your article about the NAACP's war on the Confederacy disturbed me. If these people would spend more time studying the history of the war instead of trying to ignore it, everyone would be a lot happier.

Slavery was only a small part of why the confederacy came to be. Most of the confederates who fought in the war did so to make life better for themselves economically. You can't tell people that the confederate flag is bad because a few people use it now as a symbol of racism. These people represent only a small minority of the white community.

The confederate flag is an important part of our history. The day I can no longer display a confederate flag is the day I start suing for my civil rights.

Herman Kappes III

Chesapeake, May 1, 1997

State should not honor Confederacy

I've just finished reading the article on this state honoring the organization Sons of Confederate Veterans. I can't understand why these people don't see that this is like a slap in the face to all African Americans.

To be reminded of the brutality and long suffering our people endured at the hands of the white slave owners is unjust. And that this state fought a war rather than abolish slavery - this history and heritage I would rather forget.

Maybe this is a way of reminding us that nothing really has changed. Governor Allen proved that by signing the proclamation.

S. T. Sanders

Virginia Beach, May 1, 1997

The NAACP seeks to intimidate

On April 30, the Virginia Chapter of the NAACP demonstrated in front of the state Capitol where they ``symbolically'' buried Southern Confederate history and heritage. Its president stated, ``We're sending out a signal to all the (political) candidates that we consider this issue (Confederate heritage) a litmus test for the entire campaign.''

This cynical attempt to gain political power through intimidation is not new with the NAACP, but it has taken on a new and vicious tone over the past two years.

At the University of Massachusetts, black students, including campus members of the NAACP, demonstrated against the Minuteman school logo, as it represented the quintessential white power structure - a white man with a gun.

Several years ago, at a debate on the Confederate flag in Richmond, a member of the NAACP was asked why he singled out the Confederate flag when the Stars and Stripes had flown over a slave state for more than 80 years. He answered: ``One flag at a time.''

The NAACP lost membership during the 1980s. The organization is desperately in search of an issue. Given this state of affairs, how long will it be before respectable organizations such as the Daughters of the American Revolution and The Sons of Union Veterans will have to ask if their organizations are NAACP approved?

Charles Edward Foiles

Member

Sons of Confederate Veterans

Chesapeake, May 2, 1997

EDUCATION

In favor of a second chance

I would like to commend ODU for implementing the second- chance policy for students.

Perhaps ODU evaluated students' previous performance and could see no ethical reason to not ``forgive'' a grade by having the student retake the class and using the better of the two grades. Perhaps ODU realized students really want to learn the material and not just keep a grade and move on without ever having grasped the fundamentals. Perhaps, too, ODU may have realized the stigma associated with acquiring a poor grade and having that remain on your record while searching for a good job.

It is a sad day when other colleges cannot see the overall value for the students, as well as the college, by offering this mode of forgiveness. Taking an entire class over and paying for the privilege is not easy. Ask anyone who has had to forego graduation due to being in school another semester.

Apparently ODU sees the wisdom of positive reinforcement. In the very first line of your article regarding this new policy, the debate of increasing opportunities vs. lowering standards won hands down.

Deborah T. Lichniak

Virginia Beach, May 2, 1997

NAUTICUS

Theater is a treasure

Although many citizens of Norfolk have visited Nauticus, I wonder how many have had the experience that I had last Sunday when I attended the concert of The Battlefield Band. The acoustics were splendid, and the view was magnificent. The entire rear wall of the stage is glass so that the band played against a backdrop of the waterfront, which was magical with lights, cruising boats and the Portsmouth skyline across the river. Employees of Nauticus were very helpful and extremely courteous to all.

We are fortunate to have such a gem of a theater available for groups like mine to use.

Kathleen Williamson

British Isles Dancers of Norfolk

Norfolk, May 6, 1997

HEALTH

Terry Zahn's battle with cancer gives hope

I read with mixed emotion your article about Terry Zahn's battle with cancer. On one hand, it is sad that someone so young should be stricken; but on the other, I was totally awed by his courage and forthrightness. As a local television icon, he now becomes, for all of us who have experienced cancer either directly or indirectly, our knight in shining armor leading the charge against this most insidious opponent.

As we ride the emotional roller coaster with Terry, our awareness level will certainly be raised to new heights, and our determination to once and for all conquer this plague will be renewed. Thank you, Terry, for your continuing leadership and for becoming, for so many, a beacon of hope, a light at the end of a very long tunnel.

Bobby Melatti

Virginia Beach, April 29, 1997

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