My Letter to the Editor in regards to Gene and other Veterans



VETERANS I

By Michael Morrow

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L E T T E R S

In response to your Oct. 30 article, "Vietnam veteran honored for bravery in war," I was
wondering why there was not an official from the federal government, or at least an elected
official there to present the Silver Star to Gene Simmers.

Could it be that we are all still forgotten patriots?

We went to war as our forefathers did to stop communist aggression in the world and to
preserve the freedoms that most Americans take for granted. We also went to war to possibly
prevent our children from having to go to any future wars.

Unfortunately, every generation has had to do so.

Now, we are faced with a new enemy in terrorism. I am not so sure that the patriotism is going
to be there for future generations.

We must support and recognize our troops for their bravery. We are engaged in battle today,
and by the look of things, there is going to be more American blood shed on battlefields.

My hope is that individuals, school children, local veterans organizations, governments and others
start writing to the men and women in our armed forces. Letters from home were very important
to us when we were in Vietnam, and it was the only thing we had to look forward to each day.

Let's welcome the troops home when they come back. Simmers and others like him should be
honored in parades on Veterans Day, or when appropriate.

God Bless Simmers for his heroism and all veterans. God Bless the United States.

Michael Morrow
Pendleton, Ind.

Originally published Thursday, November 7, 2002
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