Letters to the Editor 05-30-2003
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Farewell, My Friend - Rude And Tacky - Irresponsible Drivers - Veterans' Benefits
Farewell, My Friend
Editor, Times-Union:"I am proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free, and I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me, and I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today." Lee Greenwood, "God Bless the U.S.A."
Lance Cpl. David Fribley died securing the ground that I now stand on. That is a very hard thing to say. On the 26th of March my unit moved into An Nasiriyah and took over as security for an air base right outside of town. This was only three days after my friend had fallen.
We heard of the attack on David and his men shortly after it happened. As a soldier it scared me to know that tactics like that were being used. As an American it infuriated me. My sorrow deepened when I found out that one of the fallen was my friend and brother.
I was two years ahead of David and therefore didn't have a chance to know him to well. I now wish I took the time. I did, however, have plenty of opportunities to see him both on the track and on the football field. I was a photographer for the high school newspaper and was on the sidelines for many of his games. It was always evident that he loved what he did. He gave 100 percent and never gave up. That was definitely one of his greatest traits.
Although he didn't want to, he will always be a hero. Not only to the city of Warsaw, not only to his brother Marines but also to me. He gave his life to secure a piece of ground that I now call home.
Because of his extreme sacrifice, the citizens of An Nasiriyah live freely now. My biggest wish, as I drive through the streets of town, is that the men and women of An Nasiriyah know exactly what sacrifices brave men like David have made. Sacrifices that help ensure that they will be able to live freely, without the rule of an evil dictator.
David paid the ultimate price for the men and women in this area. He also helped open the eyes of 650 men of the Indiana National Guard and helped them realize the danger that they would be facing when they arrived in the town.
I will be forever grateful for what David has done. He is a hero among heroes and will never be forgotten.
On the 26th of May 2003, Memorial Day, I flew a flag at half mast over Tallil Air Base in memory of Lance Cpl. David Fribley. I felt this as a small but fitting tribute to a brother on a day meant to honor our fallen. I will serve the rest of my days here trying my best to live and serve by his words.
"I will strive for excellence in all that I do."
Farewell, my friend and brother, you will always be missed.
Cpl. Matthew J. McClelland
1st Battalion 293d Infantry Regiment
U.S. Army
Tallil Air Base
An Nasiriyah, Iraq
via e-mail
Rude And Tacky
Editor, Times-Union:To the lawyer who felt the need to berate the street department worker today (May 28): What gives you the right to speak to another human being in the manner that you did? Were you really in that big of a hurry that being stuck behind the sweeper made your tirade necessary?
Although I'm sure you don't care, I found your name-calling and swearing to be very rude and tacky. Throwing your profession around like it somehow entitles you to more of the road or makes you better was even more tacky. I don't care what your job title is, it does not automatically give you the respect and power you think it does. Gracious attitudes and treating others with respect is what really truly earns one respect. Not foul mouths and holier-than-thou attitudes, which is what you displayed. An apology to the worker you berated for doing his job would be nice, some might say even necessary, but we know that won't happen. So how about the next time you would like to berate someone in public like you did today, you stop and think about how your words affect everyone around you and what they could possibly cost you. I, for one, know which firm I won't be going to should I ever need legal services. I hope the rest of your day was nice, because for one street department worker, it was pretty well shot.
Tiffany Varney
North Webster
via e-mail
Irresponsible Drivers
Editor, Times-Union:This letter is in response to Ms. Yarnall. Before you go off badmouthing the truck drivers, remember not all traffic accidents at red lights are caused by truckers. Yes, there are trucks that run red lights. Some of them do not try to stop, and I agree they should be ticketed. Have you ever rode in a semi? Do you realize how hard it is to stop 80,000 pounds on a dime? A truck does not have to be speeding to be unable to stop for a light, either. Warsaw already has a reputation from coast to coast as a speed trap for most trucks. How about all the cars that are doing 60+ on U.S. 30? Do they stop for the lights? Most of the truckers drive thousands of miles a year without accidents. Not all truckers are doing drugs and running ungodly hours, causing fatal accidents; we only seem to hear about the ones who do. Many of those truckers are honest, hard working men trying their best to provide for their families.
Going 20 miles below the speed limit is dangerous and staying in the right-hand lane is not always possible. What do they do when another vehicle is trying to come on to 30 from the on ramp by Kmart? Get cussed at, flipped off and tailgated by a car for not speeding up or moving over? If you pay attention, you'll see that most irresponsible drivers are in cars, NOT semis!
Lindsay Riddle
Wife of a hard-working trucker
Warsaw
Veterans' Benefits
Editor, Times-Union:This is (mainly) to Don Guard. You're right, I do not know everything about veterans' medical benefits. I do know I've read newspaper and American Legion articles that state our VA cabinet member said one category was cut and two others may be scaled down. This is due to lack of funds, as reported. My statement regarding not finding WMD still holds true at the time of this writing. My opinion(s) regarding "W" calling this war is just that. I still see no reasons for cause that he stated over national TV. I also made it very clear that I was referring to another article written by a columnist. I did not say it was true, much less did I say I felt the same way. As far as impeachment goes, that was a rhetorical question. Perhaps others missed that too. It's obvious that you did. Please bear in mind that I am not a "party" person. ... I am very independent. Apparently you are a Republican. I apologize for stepping on your toes. I know you are a veteran and may well have been through more than I have during my eight years and two VN tours. Should you ever wish to discuss any of this in an adult ego state, please feel free to call me sometime. Again, my apologies for offending you (or anyone else). Enough said, I will not continue an opinion "war" with you.
Dennis G. Lundgren
Warsaw
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- Farewell, My Friend - Rude And Tacky - Irresponsible Drivers - Veterans' Benefits
Farewell, My Friend
Editor, Times-Union:"I am proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free, and I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me, and I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today." Lee Greenwood, "God Bless the U.S.A."
Lance Cpl. David Fribley died securing the ground that I now stand on. That is a very hard thing to say. On the 26th of March my unit moved into An Nasiriyah and took over as security for an air base right outside of town. This was only three days after my friend had fallen.
We heard of the attack on David and his men shortly after it happened. As a soldier it scared me to know that tactics like that were being used. As an American it infuriated me. My sorrow deepened when I found out that one of the fallen was my friend and brother.
I was two years ahead of David and therefore didn't have a chance to know him to well. I now wish I took the time. I did, however, have plenty of opportunities to see him both on the track and on the football field. I was a photographer for the high school newspaper and was on the sidelines for many of his games. It was always evident that he loved what he did. He gave 100 percent and never gave up. That was definitely one of his greatest traits.
Although he didn't want to, he will always be a hero. Not only to the city of Warsaw, not only to his brother Marines but also to me. He gave his life to secure a piece of ground that I now call home.
Because of his extreme sacrifice, the citizens of An Nasiriyah live freely now. My biggest wish, as I drive through the streets of town, is that the men and women of An Nasiriyah know exactly what sacrifices brave men like David have made. Sacrifices that help ensure that they will be able to live freely, without the rule of an evil dictator.
David paid the ultimate price for the men and women in this area. He also helped open the eyes of 650 men of the Indiana National Guard and helped them realize the danger that they would be facing when they arrived in the town.
I will be forever grateful for what David has done. He is a hero among heroes and will never be forgotten.
On the 26th of May 2003, Memorial Day, I flew a flag at half mast over Tallil Air Base in memory of Lance Cpl. David Fribley. I felt this as a small but fitting tribute to a brother on a day meant to honor our fallen. I will serve the rest of my days here trying my best to live and serve by his words.
"I will strive for excellence in all that I do."
Farewell, my friend and brother, you will always be missed.
Cpl. Matthew J. McClelland
1st Battalion 293d Infantry Regiment
U.S. Army
Tallil Air Base
An Nasiriyah, Iraq
via e-mail
Rude And Tacky
Editor, Times-Union:To the lawyer who felt the need to berate the street department worker today (May 28): What gives you the right to speak to another human being in the manner that you did? Were you really in that big of a hurry that being stuck behind the sweeper made your tirade necessary?
Although I'm sure you don't care, I found your name-calling and swearing to be very rude and tacky. Throwing your profession around like it somehow entitles you to more of the road or makes you better was even more tacky. I don't care what your job title is, it does not automatically give you the respect and power you think it does. Gracious attitudes and treating others with respect is what really truly earns one respect. Not foul mouths and holier-than-thou attitudes, which is what you displayed. An apology to the worker you berated for doing his job would be nice, some might say even necessary, but we know that won't happen. So how about the next time you would like to berate someone in public like you did today, you stop and think about how your words affect everyone around you and what they could possibly cost you. I, for one, know which firm I won't be going to should I ever need legal services. I hope the rest of your day was nice, because for one street department worker, it was pretty well shot.
Tiffany Varney
North Webster
via e-mail
Irresponsible Drivers
Editor, Times-Union:This letter is in response to Ms. Yarnall. Before you go off badmouthing the truck drivers, remember not all traffic accidents at red lights are caused by truckers. Yes, there are trucks that run red lights. Some of them do not try to stop, and I agree they should be ticketed. Have you ever rode in a semi? Do you realize how hard it is to stop 80,000 pounds on a dime? A truck does not have to be speeding to be unable to stop for a light, either. Warsaw already has a reputation from coast to coast as a speed trap for most trucks. How about all the cars that are doing 60+ on U.S. 30? Do they stop for the lights? Most of the truckers drive thousands of miles a year without accidents. Not all truckers are doing drugs and running ungodly hours, causing fatal accidents; we only seem to hear about the ones who do. Many of those truckers are honest, hard working men trying their best to provide for their families.
Going 20 miles below the speed limit is dangerous and staying in the right-hand lane is not always possible. What do they do when another vehicle is trying to come on to 30 from the on ramp by Kmart? Get cussed at, flipped off and tailgated by a car for not speeding up or moving over? If you pay attention, you'll see that most irresponsible drivers are in cars, NOT semis!
Lindsay Riddle
Wife of a hard-working trucker
Warsaw
Veterans' Benefits
Editor, Times-Union:This is (mainly) to Don Guard. You're right, I do not know everything about veterans' medical benefits. I do know I've read newspaper and American Legion articles that state our VA cabinet member said one category was cut and two others may be scaled down. This is due to lack of funds, as reported. My statement regarding not finding WMD still holds true at the time of this writing. My opinion(s) regarding "W" calling this war is just that. I still see no reasons for cause that he stated over national TV. I also made it very clear that I was referring to another article written by a columnist. I did not say it was true, much less did I say I felt the same way. As far as impeachment goes, that was a rhetorical question. Perhaps others missed that too. It's obvious that you did. Please bear in mind that I am not a "party" person. ... I am very independent. Apparently you are a Republican. I apologize for stepping on your toes. I know you are a veteran and may well have been through more than I have during my eight years and two VN tours. Should you ever wish to discuss any of this in an adult ego state, please feel free to call me sometime. Again, my apologies for offending you (or anyone else). Enough said, I will not continue an opinion "war" with you.
Dennis G. Lundgren
Warsaw
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