Today’s veterans need better GI benefitsRecently, a delegation of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) visited Washington to tell lawmakers one thing: our newest generation of veterans deserves real educational benefits that make college tuition affordable. Now is the time for our Congress to take action on this and pass a 21st-century GI Bill.
After World War II, attending college gave veterans time to readjust to civilian life and prepared them for careers as innovators and leaders. For every dollar spent on the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, seven went back into the economy in the form of increased productivity, consumer spending and tax revenue.
Today’s GI Bill only covers part of the costs of college. Tuition costs have increased faster than inflation, and many veterans must take out student loans or forego education altogether.
In a time when we are asking so much of our Armed Forces, paying for college is one of the best ways to show our gratitude as a Nation. Congress needs to pass a new GI Bill this year.
ó Debra Spess
Concord
Confederate flag should wave, too
Following the story of my friend Mac Butner’s concern about the flags flying at Southeast Middle School, I wondered if a Confederate flag is included in this illustrious assemblage. Like myself, I am sure some of the students are proud descendants of brave sons of the South who served during the War of Northern Agression.
ó Ken Upright
Kannapolis
Turn off the phone, turn on headlightsI have two issues I would like to write about when it comes to driving safety. AAA states that a good majority of automobile accidents are caused by distractions. One of those major distractions is cell phones. It is already a law that teenagers can’t talk on cell phones while driving. Why is this not a law for adults, too? I have been behind many people who are talking on cell phones and cannot drive the speed limit. Driving too slow is just as dangerous as driving too fast. There cannot be anything important enough for people to risk their lives and the lives of others by talking on a cell phone. Pull over and stop before you talk.
The second topic is the number of people who drive in the dark without headlights or with one headlight burned out. You cannot see in the dark without headlights, and other drivers may not see you, either. The end result is an accident where someone could be seriously injured. Some people think their lights are on because they have dash lights, when in reality only their parking lights are on.
These are two very important issues that need attention. So the next time you are driving down the road and your cell phone rings, pull over and talk. The next time you are in your car in the dark, make sure that your headlights are turned on. Maybe you can save a life instead of causing and accident.
ó Vickie Toms
Salisbury
Where was county on earlier annexation?Regarding the county commission’s decision to hire an attorney to fight the N.C. 150 annexation:
I did not see the outcry from the Rowan County commissioners when the city of Salisbury annexed the Harrison Road area, an area that could least afford it. But now that it will take money out of one of their own’s pockets, it is a bad thing.
I guess it is like someone told me when I worked at the VA: No one cares about trailer trash. But I see that the city of Salisbury did.
ó George H. Lewis
Salisbury
Archery range deserves a shotI feel the community would benefit from having a place to learn and shoot archery. As a Boy Scout, I only get to shoot archery at summer camp.
So I think that there should be more places to shoot archery, because I would like to learn how to shoot archery more than one time a year. With a community archery range, more kids would have the opportunity to learn archery. Boy Scouts like myself could practice more often.
ó Seth Culp
Troop 448