Different view of the B-52’s Vietnam War missions

In reference to Steve Nelson’s Sunday op-ed column (“An honest, tragic recollection of a dreadful war,” May 23):

In 1970, my father was a first sergeant in a Marine rifle company stationed along the demilitarized zone (DMZ) in the Republic of Vietnam. Each night that year, with map in hand, I watched CBS News to see where the North Vietnamese Army ambushed, assaulted or subjected Marines to sporadic artillery and rocket barrages and the deaths they inflicted. At the time, I was attending grade school in a poor, little, working-class cow town called Greeley, about 50 miles northeast of the affluent city of Bolder Colo.

I am pleased that Nelson has made peace with his conscience that he participated in “detracting from the war effort by diverting resources” from the B-52 bombing missions.

These were the same B-52s and bombs that my father and thousands of other U.S. Marines were relying on for their safety.

DAVID W. SZELOWSKI

Lebanon

New Hampshire state parks are gems we must protect

Like many here in New Hampshire Senate District 5, I was disappointed with the outcome of the vote on HB 177 last week.

I have fond memories of exploring our state parks with my daughter Phoebe when she was younger, and I know how invaluable these parks are to our economy, culture and history.

HB 177 would protect our state parks by creating a buffer zone around them prohibiting the siting of a landfill. Simply, state parks are New Hampshire’s true gems. Pristine, these parks serve as a source of recreation for Granite Staters while attracting out-of-state tourists. Most important, a buffer zone around the parks is necessary to safeguard the local environment and beauty for generations to come.

I will continue to advocate in the Senate for the protection of our state parks.

SUE PRENTISS

West Lebanon

The writer represents District 5 in the New Hampshire Senate.

Searching back and forth for meaning of the term

According to the Valley News (“Farm owners sue state college system,” May 25), the suit against the Vermont State College System by the Norwich Farm Creamery owners came “after a long back-and-forth between the creamery operators and the state college system.”

What does “back-and-forth” mean here?

This term, increasingly used to avoid the effort of communicating clearly, apparently may mean: arbitration, argument, alteration, altercation, bargaining, commute, confrontation, contention, contest, controversy, cycle, debate, disagreement, discourse, discussion, dispute, dithering, duel, exchange, fight, fluctuation, hunting (e.g. in electronic or mechanical control systems), iteration, laps (on a repeated linear course), loops, mediation, migration (e.g. seasonal), negotiation, objection, orbit, oscillation, shuttle, repetition, rocking, transhumance, vacillation, variation, volley or zigzag.

Which of these meanings should we have guessed was intended?

RICHARD ANDREWS

Springfield, Vt.

Thanks for a wonderful fishing derby in Windsor

I’d like to thank the members of the Windsor Coon Hunters Association for hosting a truly wonderful kids fishing derby last Saturday in Windsor. This was one of the best events I’ve ever attended with my 6-year-old son. He loved it, the other kids at the derby clearly did too, and all the grown-ups seemed to be having a pretty good time as well.

The organizers did such a good job, the sponsors were incredibly generous in providing rods and worms for the kids, a game warden showed up, and there was a relaxed, friendly atmosphere that welcomed everyone from the serious young anglers to those who were brand-new to fishing.

What a truly wonderful and generous opportunity the Windsor Coon Hunters Association provided to all the kids who attended — and I’m sure turned more than a few into lifelong anglers. Thank you.

BRIANNE GOODSPEED

Wilder