Letters to the Editor - The Lakeville Journal - 5-27-21

Reflections on Memorial Day

Next Monday, we will remember those who died while serving in the U.S. military.  For most Americans, these last wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were not only the longest in U.S. history, but also perhaps the least understood. This may be due in part to the fact that there was no draft and also because the issues have been murky and unresolved. Still, the United States has lost over 7,036 military members in those two countries.     

We take this day to remember those who lost their lives while serving because it is the right thing to do. These men and women raised their hands and said they would give their lives to protect our Constitution and our way of life. That’s what they signed up for and whatever happened after that depends upon whom you ask.  But we can’t ask these folks. Their war stories will remain with their battle buddies, their friends and their families.  

It is easy to question what makes a young person stand up for this commitment. Some join to get an education that their families could not afford.  Some have family traditions that include military service.  Some are trying to create order in their lives. Almost all want to be part of something larger than themselves.

No matter what the reason, Memorial Day is one that deserves at least a few moments of our time to consider the following: 

 What it takes to make one’s peace with death at a very young age, and

 What it is like to die without friends and family on foreign soil.   

Of all the years we can recall, this one should certainly resonate with those of us whose loved ones have been very far away and whose hands we could not hold at the end. 

Jane Strong

The Equus Effect

Sharon

McCarthyism:  now and then

Every now and then the legislative chambers of the United States are incumbered with a McCarthy — some GOP power politician with sights solely focused on his own preeminence — his domination, lofty status, sheer joy in making or breaking policy, people, peers, national pride and purpose. For over 70 years, McCarthyism has been defined as reckless, unsubstantiated accusations, as well as public attacks on the character or patriotism of a political opponent.  

Back then, which in the late 1940s and 1950s, Joe McCarthy perpetrated the Red Scare. He burnt books, subpoenaed and blacklisted masses, ruined lives and saw Un-American in all but himself. McCarthy claimed to have the names of 57 communist traitors. He also claimed a false number of air missions to qualify for the Distinguished Flying Cross. McCarthy’s chief counsel was none other than Roy Cohn.  Across his tenure, Former 45 endlessly lamented not having Roy Cohn as his legal weapon — Barr didn’t stand the test, not lethal enough, didn’t denounce a legit election.  

In the now, Kevin McCarthy clamors to be Speaker of a House he is content to have invaded, its members threatened, and its constitutional imperatives stomped on. The current Kevin McCarthy speaks with multi tongues — some days the 2020 election was stolen, some days Biden is unquestionably the rightful president. In our times, Kevin McCarthy limply leads a House GOP to vote against legislation — laws protecting democracy, securing the Capitol, ensuring voting rights as is American. This McCarthy impedes truth, casts truth from his leadership team, runs over his own representative to prevent the formation of a January 6 Commission.  

Starkly in contrast to the McCarthys is retired Army Ranger Colonel Ralph Puckett, a man of valor, a Korean War hero. At 94, Puckett recently rolled into his Metal of Honor ceremony, stood tall, back straight, chest full of profound character — a man who refused to abandon his troops, who, badly wounded, led, saved lives and gave of himself to his country. 

These three government guys enter a Hall

Only the Colonel stands true and tall

Three government guys enter a Hall

Only the Colonel answers his country’s call

Three government guys chose to serve

Only the Colonel the Metal of Honor deserved

Three government guys stood side to side

Only the Colonel knows honor, has pride

Three government guys perhaps all smart

Only the Colonel has decency, brave heart

Kathy Herald-Marlowe

Sharon

History matters

I wonder how many residents of Salisbury are aware of the significance of the Lakeville Historic District. Do they know that 800 of the 1,000 cannons used in the American Revolutionary War were produced at Ethan Allen’s forge in the Holley Street Block? Or that many of the cannonballs used in that war also were made there? Do they know that General Washington required a 24-hour militia to guard that forge so that the British did not get hold of it?  

Do they know there might not have been a United States of America without our local iron ore and the inventive people who used it? These are just a few reasons that the Holley Block’s history is so important to Lakeville. More emphasis should be made on publicizing this and so much later history there.

Maura Wolf

Salisbury

Accepting happiness

Happy days are here again

The skies above are clear again

Trees are blossoming all around 

Flowers spurting from the ground

Temps are rising, skin is warming

Bees are soon to be swarming

In the car taking a local trip

Writing this ditty as a quip

Views are beautiful and grand

Nothing but beauty, nothing bland

So! let’s be thankful one and all

And let no troubles on us befall

With apologies and acknowledgments to Yellen and Ager.

Michael Kahler

Lakeville

Gratitude for help after automobile accident

On the night of April 12 my younger sister and I and our sons, ages 2 and 11, were in a car accident on Rt. 44 in North Canaan. We were returning from a fun day at the Mystic Aquarium, and we were almost home when a car hit our vehicle, causing it to roll several times, totaling my sister’s car. Fortunately, no one in our car was seriously injured. 

I want to thank everyone who helped us that night. Emergency crews from both North Canaan and Norfolk responded to the scene, and the EMTs were wonderful, professional, calming, and skillful. 

The actual first responder to the accident was a brave local teenager, Elijah Thomson. In the moments after we were hit and the car came to a rest on its roof, I was stunned and disoriented in the pitch-black darkness. 

As I fumbled with my seatbelt, young Elijah  reached his hand into the ruined car and told us that he was there to help, and his steady presence did help us more than words can express.

We are also grateful for the kindness of other drivers who stopped to help before the professionals arrived — the woman who gave us blankets and encouragement, and other individuals who stayed with us until the ambulances arrived. As I write this, “thank you” seems so insufficient, but if you are one of the folks who stopped to help us that night, I want you to know how grateful we are that you were there.

Tarah Kennedy                                                                                                                                  

Salisbury