LETTERS: Thoughts on Veterans Day
Thoughts on
Veterans Day
I agree that the Canyon of Heroes should and must be reserved for our country's true heroes ["Veterans are the real heroes," Letters, Nov. 8]. Perhaps it's time to redefine the word "hero" and which group should be given that designation.
Veterans surely fit the designation, as well as the courageous men and women who rushed to help on 9/11 and those who lost their lives on that horrible day. These people are truly heroic.
Beth Rose Feuerstein
Long Beach
While the Yankee "heroes" attract hundreds of thousands as they parade through the Canyon of Heroes, it is a shame that if the true heroes were to march through that very same canyon on Veterans Day, few would come ["A Big Apple celebration," News, Nov. 7].
Bill Viggiano
Williston Park
Many days in the calendar could have been chosen for Veterans Day. Why did we have to replace Armistice Day?
I've spoken to many people who have no knowledge of what Armistice was, and when or why it occurred. Remember World War I, folks? The war had been going on for four long years in 1918 when nations agreed to stop and try peace. Armistice means peace.
Let's make peace and stop killing each other. Bring back the lovely day called Armistice Day - marking when the fighting officially ended in 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
Rocky Russo
West HempsteadFirst home buyers
boost the economy
In the past six months, both of our daughters have bought homes to take advantage of the first-time home buyers' tax credit ["Obama stimulus bill helps jobless and home buyers," News, Nov. 7].
Because they live near Boston and San Francisco, the purchase prices, though below boom levels, were still exorbitant. One of the houses needed a new roof before it could qualify for homeowners insurance. So $8,000 went to a roof. The other needed a new foundation and work on the sewer line. Tax credit? Gone!
Gone where? To local contractors who need the work. From them, into the local economy. Every cent of it. That is a much better return on investment than any TARP money the government has wasted on bonuses.
Susan B. Russo
Wading RiverLet's try raising alcohol taxes
When the state or county needs money, they increase taxes on cigarettes. Why not try increasing the taxes on alcohol? From where I sit, everyone would benefit with safer roads and fewer health care costs associated with the abuse of alcohol.
Kathleen Flandorffer
Merrick
