Letters to the Editor

Was it worth it?

Editor:

Early November brings Veteran’s Day — the day for us to remember those who served in our armed forces. But was it worth it?

Was the service of my grandfather, Douglas, at the end of WWII worth it?

Was the service of my grandfather, Harvey, during the Korean War worth it?

Was the service of my mentor, Oren, during the Cold War worth it?

For these conflicts, we can look at the results. WWII beat Hitler. The Korean War kept North Korea from overtaking South Korea, and now South Korea is a prosperous country and North Korea is a pariah state. The Cold War saw the triumph of America over the Soviet Union without an invasion by either one.

But what about more recent conflicts?

Was the service of my friend, Mitch, during Operation Desert Storm worth it?

Is the service of those I know who are in the military now — Natasha in the U.S. Air Force abroad and Tyler serving stateside — is their service worth it?

Or how about Malakai, a friend who is currently in the ROTC program. Will his future service be worth it?

The debate over the first Gulf War may go on as long as the country lasts, and who knows what our current service members — i.e. future veterans — will be called upon to do?

We can say, though, that the military these more recent and future veterans supported provided and continue to provide a protection for the freedom we enjoy. To some extent, whether their sacrifices are worth it depends on what we do with the freedom they have sacrificed to safeguard.

So let’s go do something amazing with the freedom we’ve been given. Let’s make it worth it.

Jonathan Gardner

Los Lunas

Did the election affect your friendships?

Editor:

Now that Election Day has come and gone, do you have any friends left? Did you vote on principles of personalities? Did you vote?

Well, if you didn’t vote you have no business complaining about how things are run in this country.

It’s a good time to start fresh. Love everybody; forgive everybody; and spend some time every day making yourself just a little bit better. Be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. It’s a choice.

My grandmother said it best ... There’s so much good in the worst of us and so much bad in the best of us that it little behooves the most of us to talk about the rest of us.

Now go make some new friends.

Dea Smith

Salt Lake City, Utah

New development in Tomé not good for area

Editor:

If you haven’t already noticed, a fertile 30 acres of agricultural land was recently acquired by a developer/farmer. It is located at Romero Road and La Entrada.

It is currently being “fake” farmed probably because of the great government subsidies given to the new owner. In fact, the property has already been subdivided and a gated community is sure to be developed.

This development will affect taxes, water depletion, traffic concerns, etc. Not to mention the impact on the historic nature of Tomé.

Rita M. Padilla-Gutierrez

Tomé