Veterans hold up the American flag during the playing of the national anthem before the Milwaukee Bucks faced the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center last week. (David Zalubowski, Associated Press)
Re: “Patriotic pageantry at sporting events has lost its meaning,” Nov. 15 Perspective article.
Will Bardenwerper wrote that patriotic pageantry at sporting events has lost its meaning, especially because of the finding that the Department of Defense has paid sports teams for these displays. I am amazed that these teams are being paid.
Regardless, these “performances” and “homecomings” are heartwarming and leave us with a sense of pride. In no way does it mask the knowledge that there are those who will not come home to their loved ones. Instead, itap a bright side of the realities of war, but it will never take away from the sacrifice of those who have given their life.
Our way of life and our own lives are in danger from those who want to destroy us. The debate we should be having is how to eliminate this threat.
Therese Roth, Denver
This letter was published in the Nov. 20 edition.Right on, Will Bardenwerper, for your article on misleading patriotic pageantry. As a Vietnam veteran, I abhor our country’s propensity for war and lessons not learned. During the Vietnam War era, the media’s coverage of the horrors of war helped rally the anti-war movement, which hastened the U.S. exit. War is hell for all and it shouldn’t be romanticized.
Drew Conneen, Castle Pines
This letter was published in the Nov. 20 edition.
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