Honoring veterans: Letters to the editor, Dec. 11, 2019
Recalling her family on Vets Day
For two hours on Monday, Nov. 11, the focus in Fowler shifted from coffee shops and corner stores to the Veterans’ Memorial Monument, located near Armstrong and Adams avenues, in front of the Fowler Unified School District Office.
After a welcome by Mayor David Cardenas, and recognition of members of all branches of the military by program emcee Rick Darling, Boy Scouts from Fowler Troup 390 assisted the honored veterans in hoisting new flags. Honorees were also presented the flags that flew at the site during the past year.
It was an inspiring, small-town observance that hearkened back to a Norman Rockwell age — recalling the way I grew up. Members of Fowler/Lonestar 4-H handed out programs to those in attendance, while ladies from the Fowler Improvement Association provided refreshments.
I am fortunate that Fowler honors veterans with this humble ceremony, and I am proud to say that four generations of my family served: brother Frederick (Mike) Drinen, USN, 1971-1974; father Frederick D. Drinen, WWII; grandfather Daniel Henry Drinen, Jr., WWI, (cook in France); and great-grandfather D. H. Drinen (entire career in U.S. military, stationed in Territory of Philippines).
Please consider joining us next year.
Lucile King, Selma
Eisenhower’s warning was true
The impeachment hearings were sparked by corruption in Ukraine, where powerful men bent their government to enrich themselves. Our corporations bend our government by purchasing with campaign money a Congress that raids the public treasury for their fodder. We, too, have an oligarchic kleptocracy, the military-industrial complex which Eisenhower warned us about.
Edd Dickerman, Fresno
History does really come around
Just by chance I came across a 70th anniversary edition of Life magazine. (hardbound, “coffee table” style.) Under a photo of Sen. Joseph McCarthy was this caption. “In the early 1950s McCarthy charged the State Department had been infiltrated by communists. What ensued was a national witch-hunt that smeared the reputations of many innocent people, all in an atomosphere of irresponsibiliy and shadows.”
Who would have thought that this truely hated man would have been right. A very sad commentary on our current political situation. Aparrently, history does repeat.
Chuck Hall, Fresno
No council members get to hear expert
While Californians say homelessness is one of the top problems facing the state, on Nov. 7 the author of a Pulitzer Prize winning book on the topic came to Fresno to explain his research findings and offer ideas and fresh perspectives on how to alleviate the problem.
The public in attendance noted that not a single City Council member was present. Matthew Desmond, author of “Evicted,” is a Princeton University sociologist and recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship a.k.a MacArthur genius grant. His research focuses on poverty in America, housing insecurity and public policy.
After I finish reading “Evicted” I plan to send my copy to a council member or perhaps the mayoral candidates. If you have a copy of the book I encourage you to do the same. If you don’t like to read, go to the Central Library and visit the graphically illustrated exhibit inspired by the book. And invite a City Council member to join you!
Karen Hammer, Clovis
This story was originally published December 11, 2019 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Honoring veterans: Letters to the editor, Dec. 11, 2019."