Veterans Day, the 11th month, the 11th day, the 11th hour. What does this mean? Just that. No other day should be used to honor our fallen veterans.

My mother lost a son in 1944. He was 17 when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy; she had to sign for him. He was a second-class gunner's mate when a German torpedo sent his ship to the bottom of the North Atlantic. He will be expecting to be recognized on the 11th month, the 11th day, the 11th hour.

This year, the only recognition my half brother will get on the 11th month, the 11th day, the 11th hour will be when I speak his name in church. So what if Veterans Day falls on a Sunday? Without the veterans, there would be no churches. This day preserves the historical significance of the date.

This day, and this day alone, is set aside to honor our veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and their willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. Schools will be business as usual on Monday; most people will be working. Who will attend?

The Monday observance will surely take the polish off a day which has been shoved aside for convenience.

God bless what used to be America. Are all the dedicated officials just going to stand by and let this day go by as if it is all right? Shame on those who allowed this celebration to be after the real date of the 11th month, the 11th day and the 11th hour!

A disappointed veteran.

Roger Keebaugh
Gainesville

Blame in pit bull attack doesn't point to driver
I have been following, with a great deal of interest, the case of the UPS driver and the pit bull. There have been a couple of articles about this incident. Both pieces have been somewhat misleading with the facts.

For instance, Ms. McAlister stated that the UPS driver entered her home unannounced and was then attacked by her dog. According to the Hall County Animal Control bite report, the dog ran outside of the house when the driver knocked on the door and proceeded to attack the driver.

It puzzles me that someone would place a sign warning of a dangerous dog and then leave their door open for the dog to roam freely. What if a small child or elderly person had wandered to her doorstep? Would either of these have been able to defend themselves against a dog who attached so viciously that it left a man with several bite wounds requiring 18 stitches?

I am amazed at the amount of concern for such an aggressive animal over the well-being and health of an innocent, hard-working human being. The driver was simply doing his job.

The bite report also states that the driver wrestled the dog to the ground and that the owner pulled the dog off of the man. The dog escaped the owners hold and attacked the driver yet again. If it were a human biting a dog and leaving the dog with 18 stitches, the human being would be heavily fined, possibly jailed.

If Ms. McAlister can't control her dog, it is possible she shouldn't own a pit bull. Perhaps a Chihuahua would be a better breed for her to own.

Mike Horton
Oakwood

Take time to honor educators next week
Next week, Nov. 11 through 17, marks the 86th annual observance of American Education Week. It is a time to honor those involved in the education of our nation's future, from custodians to school superintendents.

The Hall County Board of Education has officially proclaimed the observance of American Education Week, and will be presented with the framed proclamation at Monday's Board of Education meeting.
Mark Twain once remarked "We believe that out of the public schools grows the greatness of a nation." Twain departed nearly a century ago, but his words are yet true.

I urge folks to take time to thank an educator who has made and is making a difference by shaping our collective destiny as a community.

Steven Wang
President, Hall County Education Association, Gainesville

Give candidates credit for willingness to run
We all should be proud of our democratic system of government. We should be proud of each and every one of the present presidential candidates, including the ones in the minority parities. Minority party candidates may not have money or recognition, but this doesn't mean that they can't have some good ideas that will contribute to a better government.

Let's look at it this way: If nobody wanted to be president or hold political office, we wouldn't have a government and if we didn't have a government, we would have chaos. Nobody wants chaos except criminals, terrorist, anarchists, etc. This is the reason we should appreciate those who serve.

When the votes are counted in the next presidential election, the winner will become your president and your commander in chief, whether you voted or not. This is what democracy is all about.

When the next president of the U.S. is elected, the political volume should be turned down until the next election. Consolidation is a must to have a more effective government.

J.D. Haynie
Gainesville