Letters to the Editor

Kneeling Player Out of Line

I have been thinking about NFL player Colin Kaepernick and his act of kneeling during the playing of the National Anthem prior to football games. I have read that he is doing this as a protest against racism and police violence in America. I know America is not perfect, but as a Navy veteran and American Legion member, I find his method of protest distasteful although I recognize his right to protest.

It is my understanding that Mr. Kaepernick is biracial, having a white mother and a black father. This reminds me of another biracial man who was born and raised in our community and died in service to our country. CPL Jonathan Yale, USMC was a graduate of Prince Edward County High School and grew up in Meherrin. On April 22nd, 2008, in Ramadi, Iraq, he and fellow Marine, LCPL Jordan Haerter were on gate guard duty at their platoon’s camp when a suicide bomber driving a truck loaded with 2,000 pounds of explosives tried to crash the gate. Both Marines responded instantly and continuously fired upon the truck and driver. They did not leave their post although the Iraqi policemen standing guard with them ran for cover. The truck exploded before it could enter the camp. Yale and Haerter were killed, but they saved the lives of the 40 Marines inside the camp. CPL Yale posthumously received the Navy Cross for his actions but probably was deserving of being awarded the Medal of Honor.

Both Yale and Kaepernick may have been treated unjustly and maybe because of their skin tone; but Jonathan Yale, a poor kid from Burkeville, stood tall and answered the call of his country. I have no doubt he stood at attention and saluted when the National Anthem was played. He is a Hero and a Patriot and deserves to be honored and remembered. Kaepernick is just another overpaid athlete protesting and getting media attention. He can kneel all he wants to, I won’t pay him much mind.

Ed Dunn,

Commander, Jack Garland
American Legion Post 32,
Farmville, VA

Governor Seeks to Steer Presidential Election

Governor Terry McAuliffe (and long time Clinton friend) has decided to do Hillary a big favor just prior to the presidential elections. He is using his power of office to buy votes through a benevolent act of pardoning over 200,000 felons in Va. and to restore their voting rights. McAuliffe calls his actions, “earning votes”…. (by exploiting his office) … he negated to add!  The Virginia supreme court struck down his blanket attempt to buy votes but, he has circumvented this ruling by granting individual pardons accumulating some 13,000 (felony) votes (so far) that are assured to cast for Hillary! What’s next, … voting booth tampering?

If McAuliffe truly feels these felons are rehabilitated enough to vote for Hillary, they should also be rehabilitated enough to have their gun rights restored! McAuliffe needs to demonstrate that his actions to bring felons back into society is a genuine act of charity, “to those who pay taxes” (as he stated). All rights to own and carry a firearm needs to be given back as well showing this is no partial measure of compassion. “If you can vote, you can tote” … a gun! If McAuliffe doesn’t agree to restore gun rights as well, one might think his actions are all about steering an election!

 Karl Schmidt

Farmville, Va.