Letters: PACT Act will help millions of vets; A mask is a small sacrifice

PACT Act will help millions of vets

I have the honor to serve as the Commander of the Department of Pennsylvania, Veterans of Foreign Wars. In that position I have a duty to help educate our citizens regarding what is really needed for our veterans. I now ask everyone to contact their Senators to support the PACT Act.

This legislation is supported by more than 60 veteran organizations. It will help millions of veterans by providing life-saving health care and benefits to those exposed to burn pits and other hazards while in service to our country. This toxic exposure has had a huge impact on veterans, and we need you all to send your voice of support now.

I am excited to see bipartisan work on this by Senate leaders trying to help veterans who have been exposed to environmental toxins. This is the most significant veteran legislation of our time. It has been estimated that 3.5 million veterans who were exposed to the poisons of war due to the prevalence of burn pits, radiation, contaminated water and other toxicants during deployments and military assignments.

I ask you to now help support your veterans who have defended our nation and gone in harm’s way. Contact your congressmen and let them hear your voice.

A mask is a small sacrifice

If you have been following the COVID-19 numbers in the news, they have been marching up and our Community Level is in the high category again — where the CDC recommends, “Wear a mask indoors in public and on public transportation. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Get tested if you have symptoms. If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider taking additional precautions.”

This is not what any of us wanted. We are all very sick of masks and all the rest of this.

But I find an interesting parallel that this is coming on Memorial Day weekend; a holiday to honor those who sacrificed their lives to keep us safe. Leaving aside our personal safety, can’t we, the beneficiaries of such great sacrifices, make the small sacrifice of wearing a mask to keep our friends and neighbors safe? In a small way, this annoying inconvenience can be a fitting way to honor their much greater sacrifice, and acknowledge a common thread of mutual care that preserves our society and nation through sacrifices great and small.

Missing newspapers in Centre County

I am deeply frustrated and highly disappointed that Newborn Enterprises (distributor of magazines and newspapers) has decided not to distribute newspapers such as the Altoona Mirror, Harrisburg Patriot, and USA Today to citizens of the Centre Region. That decision deprives readers of State College, Bellefonte and other communities in central Pennsylvania of being able to enjoy the daily newspapers (news and sports).

I think their action is selfish, inconsiderate, unsympathetic and unconscionable. It wouldn’t be so bad if we had an alternative distributing company. But I have been unable (in my efforts) to find one like Newborn Enterprises. There is no excuse for discontinuing the delivery of newspapers and magazines to people in Happy Valley. This decision by Newborn Enterprises deprives people of the joy and happiness of reading newspapers.

If there is a person reading this, please send a letter to the editor with what I and many people desire because I miss those newspapers. I would really appreciate that effort on your part. You can reach Newborn at 814-944-3593 if you wish to talk with them directly.