Honor their sacrifice
I am a 96-year-old World War II veteran with a question. Why haven’t America and the rest of the world spoken out against the resurgence of Nazism?
In WWII, my brother Ed was a Navy pilot who was killed in a crash while training. My brother Bill was a bombardier and was wounded over Germany. My brother Jim served two years in the Pacific with the Marine Corps. I was wounded on Saipan while serving with the 4th Marine Division.
WWII, one of history’s worst wars, was the result of Hitler’s Nazi party. Yet, today in America, the resurgence of white supremacy goes widely ignored and unchallenged.
Although America has not yet achieved the equality envisioned by our founders, we have, for the most part, made steady progress in that direction — until now.
Regressing to a country of division and hatred is a slap in the face of all who fought and died to protect the ideals our flag stands for.
At no time in the history of mankind did a man or woman choose their parents or where they were born. Those born in fortunate circumstances too often consider it their right. The remainder spends a lifetime trying to justify their existence.
Hate devours — love inspires.
John R. Rohner, Boulder
Keep the Sand Dunes funded
I always get nostalgic as Memorial Day approaches. For many years, we’d pack up and join several other families for an annual camping trip to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. When my children were very young, Medano Creek was their beachfront playground. When they got older, they “surfed” down the sides of the scorching sand dunes. At night, there were campfires under the glorious stars. Those trips created wonderful memories and inspired our kids to pursue many other outdoor adventures as they became young adults.
The Sand Dunes National Park is one of the crown jewels of Colorado and was made possible because of funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which funds parks and outdoor recreation areas all across the country. Earlier this year, Congress took the necessary step of permanently reauthorizing this important program. However, much more needs to be done. Without full funding, hundreds of other projects will stay on the drafting table.
Sen. Cory Gardner is a co-sponsor of a bipartisan bill that would permanently fund the program. I urge you to call his office to let him know how important this bill is to you so that thousands of other families in Colorado can continue to make memories at wonderful parks like the Sand Dunes National Park.
Gina Bernacchi, Denver
