Just Sayin': Where's the history in 125th anniversary?

Where's the history in 125th anniversary?

Nassau County's 125th anniversary is a lost educational opportunity. I understand that hosting celebrities to entice people to gala events is a subjective choice when trying to reach the largest paying audience for publicity [ “Blakeman's official flattery of LI's own Howard Stern,” From The Point, Jan. 27].

Nassau County decided to spend $10 million on this celebration. The county has dozens of village historians, nine colleges and nearly innumerable historical societies, houses of worship and museums, each offering a unique historical perspective. Have these experts even been approached for a conversation on their potential roles in this celebration?

In 1999, Hofstra's Long Island History Studies Institute hosted a centennial conference with dozens of speakers. It produced a conference volume, “Nassau: From Rural Hinterland to Suburban Metropolis.”

Now, Nassau County is hosting a history-themed party without any true history-based offerings. The $10 million is a staggering amount for a golf outing and a gala, which are selective, exclusive “pay to play” events with no historic educational outreach or focus.

I am confident the village historians, museums, etc. would be eager to share their stories and expertise and accept an invitation to join this celebration.

Kathryn Curran, Riverhead

The writer is executive director of the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, which supports the study of Long Island history.

With Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman granting an official proclamation to shock jock Howard Stern, I would ask Blakeman if entertainment is more important than education. Has Stern given more “dedication and service to the community” or made more “significant contributions for the betterment of our residents” than the thousands of Nassau County schoolteachers 

If not, then I propose that the 125th anniversary Eisenhower Park gala for celebrities from the entertainment and sports worlds be followed up with with a separate luncheon honoring those people who educate rather than (merely) entertain.

Richard Siegelman, Plainview

All vets are trained how to shoot rifles

The letter about the pain relief cream TV commercial showing a veteran shooting a rifle ignores the fact that many veterans enjoy going to the range to fire their weapons and also go hunting [ “This commercial doesn't honor vets,” Just Sayin', Jan. 20].

It's misinformation to say, “Many veterans never shot a gun as part of their service.” Basic training teaches you weapon training and safety no matter what branch you're in. As long as you're serving, you never know when you might need a weapon to protect yourself.

Kevin Mullen, Holtsville

Ethnicity is in the ears of the beholder

Years ago, someone, after seeing my last name, asked, “Where do you come from?” Somewhat taken aback, I replied, “Brooklyn” [ “When ethnicity enters political rhetoric,” Just Sayin', Jan. 27]. Unsatisfied, the questioner followed with “And your father?” “The Bronx,” I said. He did not follow up.

Tradition is worthy of continuance, but in catering to it, divisions are accentuated, not ameliorated. And a guiding principle of the United States, e pluribus unum — out of many, one — is undermined.

Richard M. Frauenglass, Huntington