46.0°,
Light Drizzle Letters to the Editor: East Rockaway, Lynbrook
Aug. 18-24, 2016
Trump’s not worthy of Purple Heart
To the Editor:
A few weeks ago, one of our wounded veterans gave the Purple Heart he had earned while serving our country to Donald Trump. The veteran could have received greater appreciation if he had put it in a recycling bin.
The medal would have been impossible for Mr. Trump to earn. In spite of being sent to one of the finest military schools in the country, it was not enough to entice him to serve in our military. When given the opportunity to serve during the Vietnam War, Mr. Trump received not one but five deferments. He received the last one due to a bone spur in his heel.
Would the veteran still give Trump his medal if he knew of his avoidance to serve his country? Maybe or maybe not. We will never know. But let’s remember what Donald Trump said, “I could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and people would still vote for me.”
Samuel Ango, Baldwin
Thanks for sharing, John O’Connell
To the Editor:
I read John O’Connell’s op-ed piece, “I’m blessed to have learned some lessons” (Aug. 11-17), last Friday afternoon, before I left work, and its positivity and hopefulness got my weekend off to such a pleasant and relaxed start. I had to let John know how sorry I am about his cancer diagnosis and how delighted I am that his most recent tests are all clear and that his prognosis is a good one.
Finally, I wanted to say thank you. His words touched my heart.
Many people feel sorry for themselves or turn bitter when they receive the kind of news he did. Having been fortunate and blessed to this point in my life, I don’t know what I would feel if confronted with such startling and frightening news. Perhaps my reaction would be one of despair.
I would hope, though, that I would learn, as John did, to recognize what truly matters and appreciate the love and support of friends and family, the skill of the medical community that treated me, and the kindness in small acts, gestures or smiles that can lift the heart and spirit in a time of challenge. I thank him for letting me, and all readers, into that very personal place from which his piece arose.
My very best wishes to John. May he keep receiving great news, and may he continue to make a difference by sharing his insights and opinions with Herald readers.
Alison Walsh, Valley Stream
