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Your Views: Military should keep promise of bonus to recruits
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Please do not think I am disrespecting the military; I am not. I have a son in the Army and give all of our military the utmost respect.

However, could someone please comment on, e-mail me, write me, anything, to explain why the branches of the military during sign-up offer huge sign-up bonuses but never pay them?

My son was offered $20,000 to sign up. It's in his contract. However, he gets brushed off, not answered or ignored when he asks about it.

His family honestly could use that money. They have children, one brand new baby, past bills, new bills, and they need things and have obligations. He is deploying sometime after the first of the year. I honestly do not understand this at all.

If our men and women are willing to put themselves in harm's way for us, then why can't the military be honest when signing them up?

Again, this is asked with all due respect and honor. And he is not alone in this.

The United States should stand behind the men and women risking their lives for their country, don't you think?

Sherry Humphries
Gainesville

Spray-painted graffiti needs to be dealt with
As I was driving down Harmony Church Road in Hall County, I noticed a subdivision entrance sign and power boxes that were covered in graffiti. This seems to be some sort of pattern. I've noticed this before, but it has been painted over. Evidently the children who do this are too stupid to remember where they live without a sign.

I actually thought there was a law against selling spray paint to little children. However, they seem to get it somehow.

These children are so stupid and immature that they can't write or spell correctly. If these were my children, I would use the spray paint to cover the redness on their bottoms after I dealt with them. It's too bad their parents don't care or know enough to do anything about this.

In my neighborhood, we know how to deal with this type of thing.

Carol Singleton
Gillsville

Blackwood's column of memories treasured
I really appreciated Harris Blackwood's column this week. Jim Chapman was one of my favorites over the years. His wonderful grandparents were our good neighbors during my growing years when neighbors were really neighbors. I went to school with Gwen and his Aunt Evelyn. They were much like sisters to me.

When Jim left The Times, he suggested that the readers would enjoy Harris' writing and moving into his column spot. He was very right. I have been a faithful reader of his column, also.

This week, I appreciated what he had to say about Miss Daisy and coach Drane Watson. They are included in some of my most "treasured memories."

I remember the saying about coach Drane Watson, "He may be a Drane, but he certainly is not a "drip."

Thanks, Harris, for the fond memories!

Phoebe Vickers
Flowery Branch