Gold Star mom, Vietnam vet's thoughts, lack of sportsmanship, Northwell Health dispute, child's death

Gold Star mom's efforts praised

I applaud Cathy Heighter for her devotion to her son Army Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter and her tireless effort to make things better for those like him who have made the ultimate sacrifice “Decades after son’s sacrifice, Mom honors him with a promise,” News, May 25].

It should be noted that Black men serve in the armed forces at a disproportionately higher rate compared with their population and I thank them, as I do all who serve, for their service.

— Allan Johanson, Port Washington

Vietnamese didn’t need us

This past Memorial Day marked the 56th anniversary of my safe return from Vietnam following service with the 1st Infantry Division “Honoring LI’s fallen,” News, May 26].

Our government told us the fight against communism was worth the sacrifice that turned out to be more than 58,000 dead comrades.

Today as I look closer at my own clothing, shoes, household appliances and furniture, I see a “Made In Vietnam” label.

Apparently, the Vietnamese did not need us to save them from communism to become a successful worldwide manufacturer of consumer goods.

What a waste of American lives.

— David Cepler, Baldwin

The writer served in Vietnam in the 1st Engineer Battalion of the 1st Infantry Division from 1969-1970.

Unsportsmanlike conduct common

To say fair play on and off the playing field “is sacrosanct” is a poor analogy “This wild ride in sports is why we watch,” Column, May 24]. Gamesmanship and lack of sportsmanship is as prevalent as ever on our sports fields, amateur and professional.

Let’s start and end with our nation’s pastime. Baseball teams never shake hands after a game. C’mon boys of summer, the game is over! Let’s shake hands. Pitchers throw with deadly velocity at a batter’s head if they encroach upon a strike zone. And I don’t have time to list all the cheating: steroids, sign stealing, pine tar (remember that one), spitballs.

This culture of cheating and classless sportsmanship has permeated youth sports. Just search for parents behaving badly at a soccer game, parents fighting other parents at any type of game and lack of respect for opposing youth players from “adults” because they are on the other side. Sorry, but sports are a perfect representation of how repulsive some in our communities behave. Art imitates life? Sports illustrate life!

— Glen Rose, Holbrook

Lack of concern for patients

Thousands of Long Islanders could lose in-network healthcare at Northwell Health [“Out-of-network dispute,” News, May 20].

Fidelis’ withdrawal from participation in Northwell Health’s system shows an egregious lack of concern for patients.

My wife has afflictions, including relapsing polychondritis, and other autoimmune illnesses. She has suffered with symptoms from these disorders for 30 years. Recently, she started on therapies in consultation with her doctors, primarily in the Northwell system, and this has finally reduced her infections and diminished her pain.

Informing her midyear that her treating physicians will soon no longer be accessible via Fidelis threatens the continuity of her treatment at such a point where she was finally getting some relief. She has been told that she can go to a different insurance company, but open enrollment is not until November. Specialty enrollment apparently is not an option.

To switch physicians within the Northwell sphere requires timely new patient appointments, finding providers who agree with the treatments rendered and re-petitioning for her IV meds, a process that could take months. How can Fidelis summarily drop key healthcare personnel midyear?

— Seth Eisen, Dix Hills

Child’s custody raises question

Someone seems to have loved this child [“Suspect is linked with other kids who died,” News, May 24]. By what process did 7-year-old Jor’Dynn Duncan end up in the custody of her father’s fiancee Emily Kelly rather than her own mother, other blood relative, or even foster care? That is the most pressing question that needs to be asked and answered by as many different authorities as possible.

— James Moyssiadis, Mount Sinai