I was delighted to read Greg Randolph's fourth column about his travels this past year ("Falling hard for Europe," April 25). He sounds like a bright, extremely engaged young man, and his observations were astute. I've been traveling for over 40 years and still share his state of happy confusion while taking in the world.

I was also moved by the story of Natasha McKinnon, an Iraq vet facing challenges of losing her left leg and memory problems but continuing to pursue her degree in animal science ("Combat veterans face extra hurdles as students," April 27). She will be a great asset to the VA, working with military companion dogs and those who need their services.

Finally, in the same story, Jason Lindsay, another Iraq vet, wondered why students complain about homework. After seeing the effects of service in Iraq on my son, McKinnon and Lindsay, one starts to put things in better perspective; homework is not a big deal.

If these young people are going to be our future leaders, we have one less thing to worry about.

Marti Van Horne

Raleigh