A quiet pride

Regarding your April 27 article "Military majesty sets tone at parade":

Your report could have been balanced a lot better. Even though it stated that "the protesters were a tiny minority, unseen by much of the crowd," you then proceeded to devote a lot of the written space to them. That distorted the picture for me entirely.

The media are often quite clumsy when they try to present both sides. One chicken is not the equal of one elephant.

I witnessed the parade and was deeply impressed. It was very much carried on in the American manner. No strutting, no goose-stepping, no aggressive music, such as seen in certain other countries around the globe. Among the participants were even the wives and children of soldiers, as well as high school bands.

This volunteer military is very effective in showing its quiet pride, and the residents of North Carolina, like myself, know how to appreciate it.

Fred Ullman

Raleigh

Peace-loving veterans

Regarding your April 27 article "Military majesty sets tone at parade":

I am a veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of Veterans for Peace. I was present for the "Salute to Our Troops" parade in downtown Raleigh.

I was there to support our troops in a way that some people were offended by. I stood by the street with a friend of mine and held up a "Veterans for Peace" banner. I was asked by a gentleman why I was not supporting the troops. I answered that I had been a troop myself and that I was lucky to come home unharmed by war.

I support and love our troops, but I feel sorry for them. They have been swindled into putting their lives on the line for a pack of lies. The politicians who, like sheep, supported this war without asking questions betrayed our troops. Politicians who continue to keep our troops in harm's way and to lie to them about why they are really there are the ones I do not support.

The best way to support these brave men and women is to tell them the truth and bring them home safe and sound.

Ken Knight

Garner

A comforting display

Of several letters condemning the "Salute to Our Troops" parade, the one that bothered me most was "A show of force" on April 25 likening us to Communists on May Day.

If we ever needed a time machine, we need one now so that the writer could go back with me to 1942 and join in as we watched newsreels of parades in Berlin and Tokyo and fighting in both theaters. We had enemy submarines off the East Coast, reports of enemy planes off Los Angeles, nightly blackouts and air raid drills; and we knew we were under threat.

For someone who was 11 years old at the time, it was a great comfort to see our troops on parade. A salute to all of them, then and now.

David Thomas

U.S. Army, Far East Command, 1949-53

Raleigh

Thankful for fine tribute

I would like to take the opportunity to thank the N.C. Bankers Association and the many leaders in the City of Raleigh and Wake County who made the April 26 "Salute to Our Troops" parade possible. As one who had the privilege of attending the parade, I can say that their months of thoughtful planning made the event a tremendous success.

As a member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, I am grateful for the City of Raleigh and its residents for showcasing their deep gratitude for the service and sacrifice of our nation's military. From my conversations with several men and women in uniform and their families, I know that the tribute was very much appreciated.

No one should ever question North Carolina's love for the United States Armed Forces. God bless our men and women in uniform, and may God continue to bless America.

Next page >