Greatest Generation
My husband and I recently toured the wonderful World War II museum in New Orleans. I now have a better understanding of the tremendous sacrifices that were made by Americans and our allies in that war.
My father-in-law, who passed away last year, left his pregnant wife, was sent to England and France to serve, and came home to a 2-year-old daughter he had never met. My mother, who also died last year, went to work in a war plant making parts for war planes just as soon as she graduated high school.
Millions served and died in that war. They have been called the "Greatest Generation," and I agree. They are my heroes.
SUSAN S. HENLEY
Cherokee Village
A great man served
In loving memory of my dad, who served in World War II in the European Theater. A great man who served under General Patton. Thank you for your service, Dad.
LARRY OMOHUNDRO
West Fork
Scoop on candidates
Seems we need each candidate to tell us about themselves and what they stand for. They should not tell us what they think about the other candidates--we the public need to decide that for ourselves.
We need all local papers to list names of all candidates in their area, who they are and what they stand for--not what the paper thinks about the candidates; that is what the public needs to decide for themselves. Seems the way things are now is the way movie theaters used to get customers to buy snacks. Maybe they still do.
The newspapers need to list all the candidates running, not just the ones they favor.
Not everyone has a computer/smartphone. Some of us depend on our newspapers to help educate us--not control us.
In our area we had two people running for an office, but no information. My husband asked some friends; they did not know who the people were either--sad. I cannot vote for someone I know nothing about.
Education is a must.
BERNICE BINGHAM
Hensley
Convenience on iPad
Regarding Mr. William Franklin's letter, I actually prefer the iPad edition of the Democrat-Gazette.
I don't have to walk down my long driveway and pick the soggy newspaper out of a rain puddle or search for it in the rose bushes. If I'm having a restless night and can't sleep at 3 a.m., I can read the morning news. If I'm taking a little trip for two or three days or longer, I can take the daily edition with me. I don't have to ask my neighbor to pick it up and save it for me, and read old news when I come home. Believe me when I say it's a convenience I wish I'd had in January when I slid down my icy driveway, landing on my backside.
Oh, another thing, please don't bring back Mallard Fillmore.
JUANITA LYNCH
Paragould
Kept trains running
My dad, the late Lee Poynter, is my hero. He played baseball professionally (1934-1939), a game that I was only fair at. I did not play past high school, which disappointed him. He was a pitcher in the old Cotton States league.
The Monday after Pearl Harbor (Dec. 7, 1941), he drove his 1936 Chevy to town to enlist. The Army said, "No, you are too valuable where you are" (a machinist on the MoPac Railroad). We had to keep the trains running.
So Dad spent World War II "beatin' on steam engines at Cotter, Arkansas."
TERRY POYNTER
Little Rock
Old friends, heroes
On Memorial Day I always think of three of my old friends who have passed on: Capt. John Yancey (U.S. Marine Corps), Sanford R. Brooks (U.S. Army), and Capt. Buddy Spivey (U.S. Marine Corps) as heroes.
John Yancey joined the Marine Corps the day after Pearl Harbor. He was a member of the 1st Division and Carlson Raiders. Landed on Guadalcanal where he was given a battlefield promotion to lieutenant. John participated in many island landings in World War II. John was company commander of the Little Rock Reserve Marine company which was called to duty early in the Korean War. They were attacked by the enemy at the Chosin Reservoir where John was seriously wounded. He returned to Little Rock and owned Yancey's Liquor Store in the Heights.
Sanford "Sandy" Brooks was a rifleman in the Army during WWII. His company attacked German troops in Belgium directly north of the Battle of the Bulge three days before the battle. His company fought through Belgium and Germany and was one of the first to cross Remagen Bridge in Germany. He was captured, escaped and was wounded. Sandy returned to Little Rock and was engaged in the insurance and real estate business.
Buddy Spivey was a decorated Marine wounded in Vietnam. Buddy lost his sight and one leg and earned two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars. Buddy spent many years touring around for the Veterans Administration, encouraging other soldiers to continue with their lives despite having received serious injuries. He became an honored counselor for the VA in Little Rock with veterans who have lost their sight.
I miss my old friends on Memorial Day.
ROBERT M. TRAYLOR JR.
Little Rock
Editorial on 05/26/2018