Letters to the Editor

+ Remember our veterans on 11/11/11
Dear Editor:
Nov. 11 is Veterans Day. This is the day in 1918 that the World War I Armistice was signed (the 11th month, the 11th day and the 11th hour). Since 1954, this date has been designated as Veterans Day. It is a day to commemorate and confirm the sacrifice of those who understood and cherished the values and high virtues upon which our nation was conceived.

Even today, thousands of our best and brightest are deployed to all corners of the world, in defense of the freedoms our veterans have earned us. We pray for their safe return and stand ready to support their families while they are away. Each page of America’s history is etched with the sacrifice of our armed forces. On each page is written the legacy of their accomplishments.

As Americans, we share equally in the responsibility and each of us has an equal obligation to ensure that our veterans are cared for. That obligation and care is owed to all veterans including the service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan — and especially to our wounded warriors.

Our local veterans will be celebrating their day with a parade at 10 a.m. Nov. 11, in Palmetto, with a ceremony to follow. Also, many veterans groups will be out distributing poppies at cooperating retail locations. Be sure to thank them for their service and make a donation to help veterans if you are able.
No matter what you are doing or where you are, please offer a prayer of thanks to those who are currently serving and for the gallant souls of our departed comrades, friends and loved ones. Let us always remember the freedoms our veterans have earned for all of us and let us always draw strength and inspiration from what they have done. We are privileged to have such heroes among us.
God bless America.
George Johnston,
senior vice commander
VFW Post 12055

+ Beware of the dailies’ outsourced call centers
Dear Editor:
With so many people out of work, I feel people should know that both local daily newspapers, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune (a New York Times publication) and the Bradenton Herald (Lakewood Ranch Herald) both have their customer-call service centers located in Manila, Philippines.

Because both papers are so interested in getting people back to work (as we all are), why have they outsourced these jobs?
George Feintuch
Lakewood Ranch