Since its founding in 1776, the United States has been at war during 223 out of its 244 calendar years of existence. In other words, there were only 21 calendar years in which the U.S. did not wage any wars. Given the costs of war, which are major in dollars, destruction and death, and the continuing wounds of war in those who fought and survived, it is time that we mobilize the nation to work toward peace instead of war.
Since the roots of war are deep and wide ranging, coming to peace instead of waging war will not be an easy job. It is up to each one of us to learn all we can about how we go to war and to pay close attention to what our leaders and Congress are doing in the matters of defense and war.
This is especially relevant at this time of COVID-19, and at a time when funds for young Vermonters’ education are threatened. While the United States spends literally trillions of dollars on the machinery for war, including the F-35, every town in Vermont is faced with fighting for money for our schools.
Yes, honor those who have fallen, and work for a better, safer world of citizens at peace with each other.
BUD HAAS
Bradford, Vt.
The writer served in Vietnam in 1966 with the U.S. Coast Guard and is a member of the Will Miller Green Mountain Veterans For Peace, Chapter 57.
Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor the many brave Americans who answered their nation’s call and paid the ultimate sacrifice on the battlefield.
Congress established a National Moment of Remembrance to be observed every Memorial Day at 3 p.m.
On Monday, take the time out of the day, regardless of your activity, with a moment of silence to remember the fallen heroes who fought and died for our freedoms.
JOHN O’BRIEN
Orford
The writer is a retired Army lieutenant colonel and Vietnam veteran.
Right after World War II, the government set up a so-called “52-20 club” as part of the G.I. Bill. After the Korean War, it became the “26-26 club.” The idea was to give veterans money to get them established enough financially before they found a job after getting out of the service. The 52-20 club meant every G.I. would get $20 a week for 52 weeks. The same goes for the 26-26 club: G.I.s would get $26 each week for 26 weeks until they could get a job. It was a one-time deal.
So let’s have a “10-10 club” in which all of our ex-G.I.s who can afford to give $10 each for 10 weeks to help pay for a new Veterans Affairs hospital, which we are badly in need of here in Vermont.
Why do we veterans need a new hospital? The White River Junction VA hospital was built in 1937. There’s not enough parking. The entrance is not big enough. A VA bus and two vehicles fill it up. This is worst during the cold winter days. The ambulance entrance is terrible, much too small. The entrance to the old main building has too many steps to climb. There’s no real handicap way to enter the building. The bathrooms are often out of order. It’s very hard to go with a wheelchair and, hey, there’s not one hook to hang your coat. The elevators are sometimes out of order. Then you have to go the long way to get to appointments. Sometimes the hospital lacks rooms or beds. Every day at the 1937 VA hospital you can see repairs being done.
The hospital may be old, tired and sad, but it’s still the No. 1 VA hospital in the U.S. because we have the best bunch of beautiful doctors and nurses and all the great volunteers and the VA/DAV transportation team who do their very best for our veterans. Thank you for such good care. Now I salute you.
There is always a ray of sun and a rainbow at our old, 1937 VA hospital.
BERNIE SHABAN
Windsor
The writer served in the Army during the Korean War and was a co-founder of the Windsor Veterans Memorial Committee.
Many viral outbreaks and pandemics, such as COVID-19, are the result of diseases transmitted from animals to humans. The Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-20, which killed at least 50 million people, appears to have started on a pig farm in Kansas. The 1997 H5N1 bird flu epidemic is believed to have begun in a Chinese chicken farm. Evidently, the 2009 H1N1 swine flu outbreak originated in a pig factory farm in North Carolina. Animals were also the source of the SARS and MERS coronavirus epidemics.
Today, most farmed animals are raised in factory farms and slaughtered in crowded and unsanitary conditions, where thousands of animals are jammed together. Such industrial methods serve as “amplifiers” for viral pandemics, creating enormous dangers to human health throughout the world.
Maybe the current pandemic will make us think seriously about the food we eat and how it is produced.
Ending factory farming is a public health necessity for drastically reducing the likelihood of further pandemics. In addition, it is well-proven that eating animal products can lead to heart disease, cancer, diabetes and dementia. A plant-based diet is considered the best for the health and well-being of humanity.
The Farm System Reform Bill, now before the U.S. Senate, would put a moratorium on the creation of new factory farms and the expansion of existing ones. It would also set aside $100 billion to help owners of factory farms transition to other agricultural activities. Passage of this bill will reduce the risk of deadly pandemics. Please urge your senators to support this important legislation.
JACK HURLEY
Claremont