I found myself deeply moved recently when I was introduced to a historic location in New Albany that few people know is even there. On Ekin Avenue, just west of Silver Street Elementary School, is the New Albany National Cemetery. This cemetery is one of only seven established by Congress in 1862 for burial of Union and Confederate casualties. There are over 7,000 interments there, now, from seven wars including the Civil War, Indian Wars, the Spanish American War, World Wars I and II, Korea and Vietnam.

Also, over 100 cadets from the ROTC units of Floyd Central, Lanesville and New Albany High Schools were led in a march by Lt. Col. Ben Gipe, Commander of the Floyd Central unit, for over 9.5 miles to lay a wreath at one of the graves of those dead soldiers.

I was moved as I read the names of soldier after soldier who gave his life that I might enjoy the freedoms I take for granted all too often. As a veteran, I have been moved in the last week by the current sentiment of gratitude toward me that still represents the feelings of the majority of Americans toward its military. And, I was proud as I watched my own son march with those high school students and pay respect to those who most of us still consider to have paid the ultimate price for American freedom.

As moved as I was by their sacrifice, I am deeply disturbed by the current sentiment by a very small minority of Americans that continue to think we need to apologize for those sacrifices. I was disturbed when you published a column by one of your contributors who describe these historical events as no more than “the grim reality of institutionalized murder.” He even disrespectfully described his own grandfather as a contributor to the “other mass bloodlettings since.”

Now, I realize that very few people can read more than one paragraph of this author’s writings without scratching their heads and saying, “huh?” And I should honestly expect nothing better than this to come from the same individual who had to be removed from a recent New Albany City Council meeting by law enforcement officials because he felt the need to threaten another citizen with obscenities when they stated a view he didn’t happen to agree with. And, as a veteran who has fought for his freedom to express his views and a representative of the political party who still defends citizens’ rights to freely express themselves according to the first amendment to the Constitution, I would never suggest that you censor his writings. However, haven’t we had enough of the views of this minority of Americans who continue to believe that we are the source of the world’s problems?

How quickly people like this forget that every time another country is starving or succumbs to the latest disaster, America is the first nation — sometimes the only nation — to arrive with aide. How quickly the socialists among us jump on any chance to discredit their homeland for its errors and forget the great sacrifices its sons paid to keep the world free from the type of tyranny they seem to prefer. I remember the 60’s and 70’s, when many of us joined our country’s military while these folks crossed the border into Canada to avoid service. I remember when our soldiers returned home, they were jeered and criticized by these disrespectful few — an error we have been quickly correcting in the recent years since.

Today, American soldiers are cheered and respected when they return from war — even when Americans may not support our reasons for being there. Today, we do not need a draft for military service because Americans once again respect the call to service, volunteer in large numbers, and recognize that sometimes there is a higher good worth giving to than indulgent selfishness. This Veterans Day, America still thanked our military members for sacrificing to ensure our freedoms.

Mr. Editor, please do us the favor of relegating this contributor back to the realms of his blog where his opinions belong. Instead, please give us considered, intelligent opinions which do less to purposely offend, to disrespect those who continue to sacrificially give of themselves and to represent nothing more than an angry view of just how bad our community and America has become.

— Dave Matthews, New Albany



‘Lets quit together’

Here’s what needs to be done here in the United States: President Obama made a statement that on Nov. 19 — The Great American Smoke-out date — he is going to quit smoking, and he said, “America, please join me in quitting one of the most disgusting addictions the world has ever known. Let’s all quit together and spend our money and time helping ourselves to become better citizens of the world. With addiction, we lose our ability to freely make choices. I long for my former freedom and I’m sure you do too. Nov. 19th is the date. Let’s regain our original freedom from tobacco. Please join me in quitting smoking. Sincerely, President Obama.”

— Jamey Aebersold, New Albany



Reader thanks Hill

Congressman Baron Hill should be thanked and applauded for voting for the health interests of Hoosiers over the enormous pressure from political opponents and the insurance lobbyists, who spent hundreds of millions on their fearmongering, propaganda campaigns.

While the House bill is far from perfect — and I hope Rep. Hill votes for a stronger public option in Conference Committee — this is a huge step forward in achieving universal healthcare. Perhaps, the U.S. will finally take its place among all other developed nations and ensure all our people have access to quality, affordable healthcare.

The private health insurance companies are in business to make money — and they make it by not providing healthcare. They do not put people first, and are answerable only to their shareholders. We have no control over them. But the government is about protecting the American people — not about profits — and it is answerable to us, to “we, the people.” I’d rather put my trust in my government than in a predatory, greedy, and monopolized industry that discriminates against the ill.

Though I am not surprised at the snarky, disingenuous remark of the Republican Party’s P.R. spokesman, Ken Spain, we need to remember that when the Republicans were in power, they did nothing to stop the escalation in healthcare costs or the inequities in the delivery system. They threw money around like drunken sailors on unnecessary wars and war profiteers, were silent while billions of taxpayer dollars “went missing” in Iraq, and then passed the Medicare drug bill (including that ridiculous 'donut hole') without any way to pay for it. Their hypocrisy is staggering.

What is truly unconscionable, Mr. Spain, is allowing 44,500 American deaths annually (Harvard study, Oct. 2009) due to lack of health insurance. Nobody should die, or go bankrupt, because they are denied access to health insurance. This is about human lives, not dented fenders.

— Ruthanne Wolfe, New Albany