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BITS AND PIECES - 5/18/2008
(by Howard Ball - OpEd Columnist - May 18, 2008)
Buy a poppy and wear it with pride
As we approach Memorial Day individuals will be in your town selling Buddy Poppies and American Legion Poppies. These are to remember the men and women of the community who gave of their lives to protect your freedom.
Many years ago the poppy was chosen as this symbol to remind us of "Flanders' Fields" where many American Heroes heroes died in two wars. The proceeds go to help hospitalized veterans, some of whom remain institutionalized from World Wars One and Two. There is a new crop of patients who deserve your help and that is what why the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Amvets, Jewish War Veterans,
et al, are hoping you will care enough to chip in a buck and wear the poppy.
Some of the wonderful people who sell the poppies are experiencing some rude refusals from ignorant persons. There is nothing political about seeing your buddy blown to bits. There's nothing political about giving up the best years of your life to crawl through mud and slime. The men and women who purchased your freedom with their lives knew they were fighting for their country. They would rather be home, but duty called and they answered.
Making a political statement with our veterans is not acceptable. You must respect the sacrifice they made to let you speak your mind. We remember the dead on Memorial Day but there are millions of Americans who served their country they survived and had their lives changed. Thousands of your youth are now in combat. I don't care what you politicians call it – some bad guy is building a bomb to kill one of your soldiers. When they came home they will be veterans and need your love and assistance.
The soldiers, sailors and Marines who are in harm's way every moment of the day are the folks down the street. Your paperboy may be an officer in charge of men and women who put their lives on the line every day.
They deserve more than some smartass political comment to a person who is only paying respect to America's heroes. Buy a poppy and wear it with pride.
bless our Veterans and God bless America.
Also… for many years I wrote and editorial entitled "Graduation by Death." It speaks of the tragedy of teenage deaths around graduation time. In the 50 years
Suburban Trends has been in your home there has not been a year that we have not reported the untimely death of young people in alcohol- related car accidents. Scores of young people never grew old because of holiday drinking.
If you think the kids are sneaking somewhere to get the booze, you are wrong. Many of the parties are parent- ponsored and the liquor and beer are provided by adults.
You may be your kid's pal when you buy a six-pack, but you also may be in the market for a coffin. The law in this case is very plain. You can pay a severe penalty if caught. If you get away with it and your kid kills someone that's the ultimate penalty.
Have a safe and sober and happy graduation, and live to see tomorrow.
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