Veterans should be honored every day

Veterans should be honored every day

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the Allied nations and Germany declared an armistice, ending the Great War, now known as World War I. The following year, President Woodrow Wilson declared Nov. 11 as Armistice Day.

In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed legislation calling it Veterans Day, a day to honor all Americans who have served in the military during both wartime and peacetime.

On Friday, we again commemorated this holiday.

Unfortunately, the meaning of national holidays is often forgotten and becomes merely a day off or an excuse for stores to offer sales. Veterans throughout our country have sacrificed a great deal to ensure that America preserves the freedoms that we enjoy and often take for granted.

A kind deed or even a simple word of thanks to veterans could lift their spirits and let them know they are not forgotten. Let us remember all those who have served this great nation.

Our veterans are our real American heroes. We should all be sure to honor them every day.

— Mark A. Nocero, Smithtown

I'm paying my tax bill under protest

I recently paid my school taxes. On the check, I wrote “Paid Under Protest.” I did that because the Nassau County Department of Assessment raised my tax bill among 841 other properties that were also raised. They reduced the Taxpayer Protection Planbase exemption, causing an increase in my tax bill.

When the TPP was enacted, it calculated a base exemption. That base would be reduced by 20% annually. There was a provision that the base could be reduced for “fire, demolition, destruction or new exemption.” Yet my house has not incurred any of those conditions. It was explained, after I went tothe Legislature to protest, that the grade (condition) rating on my house was reduced as part of a successful grievance for 2020-21, which did happen. How they justified that as one of the four reasons is beyond me. They used different reasons for other properties.

So, 842 properties had tax bills increased without notice. They might have slipped in this increase under the radar had I and others not spotted the change. This change not only affects this year but next as well. I will continue to fight this.

Scott Diamond, Levittown

Unexpected kindness of one stranger

Recently, my parents, who are in their late eighties, went shopping at a chain grocery store in Center Moriches. On the checkout line, they saw a man got in line behind them carrying only one item. My parents suggested he go ahead of them. When it was time for my parents to pay for their groceries, the cashier told them that their bill had been paid by the man with one item. In fact, he gave the cashier $40, and the bill was $35, so my parents received $5 change! They were stunned. They looked around to thank the man, but he was gone. They remain overwhelmed with gratitude. This man touched the hearts of two octogenarians and made them very happy. It's people like him who give us hope for humanity.

Rita Maniscalco, Huntington