Posted: Tuesday, July 1, 2008 5:00 pm
To the editor:
On July 4, 2008, the United States will celebrate its 225th year of independence.
In September 1783 the Treaty of Paris recognized U.S. independence. About 250,000 troops served in the American revolution; 4,435 died and 6,188 were wounded to give use independence from Great Britain. Since that date in 1783, 41,587,451 American veterans have served in 11 wars to keep this country free and independent as we live it today. Of those veterans who fought, 2,877,518 were killed or wounded fighting to defend our freedom.
Also, on July 4, 2008, two newly rebuilt veterans' memorials will appear in Linn County to be dedicated, one in Albany supposedly honoring all Linn County veterans and one in Scio supposedly honoring all veterans from Scio. At both sites if you have bought a brick your name will be on the brick in the memorials. If not, oh well. You weren't a veteran anyway.
I am an atomic veteran and have served in two wars. I have lived all 72 years of my life in Scio, Linn County, Oregon. I was not asked by Scio or Linn County to buy a brick. In my opinion, Scio and Albany representing Linn County, Oregon, have neglected to honor all the totality of these 41,587,451 veterans that so gallantly defended our great nation. We veterans have been disgraced, insulted and omitted by these actions.
Any veterans memorial should include all veterans by name or be a memorial to all veterans with no names. These two memorials are replacing memorials that did honor all veterans and not just those that purchased bricks and their families.
James Parker
Scio