- April 22, 2024
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Dear Editor:
I didn't get this old (88) without a lot of help from medical science, although, back in my youth, we didn't have vaccines for mumps, measles, whooping cough, polio or DDT for malaria. You just caught whatever, went to bed for several days, got up, and went back to looking for something to eat. It was during the Depression.
I was in the U.S. Navy during the Korean police action, and they vaccinated me before we shipped out; we didn't have a choice; it was, “Line up and get your shots, or else.”
When it came to the China virus, I chose to get vaccinated. If you don't want to get vaccinated, then don't; it's none of my business; it's between you, the Lord and the undertaker. If you catch the virus and you die the only thing that I can think of that would have some bearing on me is: There will be more key lime pie available for me!
Douglas R. Glover
Palm Coast
Dear Editor:
It is easy to feel out of sorts and maybe a sense of fear for the decline of our democracy, with all the negative events we experience — daily friends dying of COVID, national capital being attacked, and the inability to have a civil conversation with people who have a different part affiliation
However, my faith In this country has been restored by a very simple ceremony. That ceremony was the graduation of 351 young men and women Into the United States Marine Corp. The event I attended on Sept. 24 was not only beautiful and full of pageantry but was reassuring to me that this nation will stay on track.
My grandson was one of the 351 who made it through 12 weeks of intensive training and is now a United States marine. They started out as 351 very different individuals and finished as one cohesive body.
The ceremony was one of simple yet elegant pageantry. There were about 1,500 to 2,000 spectators. Before the ceremony began, there was the usual amount of talking to one’s neighbor, but, once the ceremony began, there was absolute quiet.
There were several commands given to the audience. The first was for everybody to stand for the national anthem and for men to remove any hats. It was heartwarming and reaffirming to see everyone stand as they were directed.
The recorded voice then told everyone to be seated at the end of the national anthem. Another command was for each section to stand when the colors passed their section. Again, there was absolute compliance. The only other command I recall was to hold applause until all award winners were named. Again, there was 100%. compliance.
One of the speakers talked about instilling teamwork in the recruits and that was clear by watching all 351 respond in unison's to commands given. Anyone who has an opportunity to view this simple ceremony, which is repeated weekly, should definitely attend.
John Brady
Palm Coast
