Women serve well in combat
Shame on Kathleen Parker. Her Dec. 16 column about how women in combat put men at risk seems to have been poorly researched. And I had such a high regard for opinions reported in The Washington Post.
Apparently she has not read the International Business Times’ 2013 article that tells us about Army National Guard Sgt. Carolyn Schapper “stationed in the Iraqi city of Baiji, about 130 miles north of Baghdad,” who was the only woman in a house with 20 men.
“But that didn’t mean a thing when it came to carrying out her assigned missions. Schapper went on about 200 combat patrols during the year she was stationed in Iraq. Her vehicle was twice hit by improvised explosive devices, or IEDs. Mortars and rockets struck her army base several times,” the article reads.
Women in the U.S. military have put their lives on the line for decades, and according to the International Business Times’ article, they currently make up about 20 percent of the national armed forces.
The fact is women have been serving in combat but because it was officially restricted by the government, they received neither combat pay nor was it reflected in their records, which would increase their potential to move up in the ranks.
Lillian Ryan
Searsport
Next generation faces disaster
I don’t understand the silence from college students about the crippling national debt they are saddled with. Where are the student voices that literally forced the United States out of the Vietnam War?
The $19 trillion national debt and $127 trillion in unfunded government promises are mathematically impossible to meet in this economy. We know that for fear of not being re-elected politicians refuse to address it, instead continue the “something-for-nothing” strategy that never seems to fail in the voting booth.
In the last couple weeks, a giant transportation bill was passed and funded with smoke and mirrors. A recent CNN-ORC poll showed that 53 percent of Americans want more boots on the ground in Middle East when we haven’t even started to pay for the last 13 years of that misguided effort. And a gigantic spending bill was passed.
It will be the next generation that will have to deal with it. Maybe they are silent because some politicians are talking about forgiving school loans. If so, it would not be paid for, just added to the tab.
I have given up on my generation doing the right thing and believe only this next generation can turn this around. Why don’t Maine students tell Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King and Reps. Bruce Poliquin and Chellie Pingree what the federal government is doing to them and their futures is not just or fair. I’m 63 years old with children and grandchildren and feel helpless about the disaster we are leaving them but not sure how to help.
Richard Ginn
Bucksport
Let’s celebrate caregivers
I heard about AARP’s “I Heart Caregivers” initiative and, as someone who has been greatly impacted by caregiving issues, I welcome this opportunity for us to share our stories.
I am 82 years old and I’m caring for my 46-year-old son who had an accident two decades ago that left him cognitively and physically impaired. He has neurological damage and it’s hard for him to get around.
I read that AARP Maine recently celebrated a caregiver from Wells, Amy Madge, with a Portrait of Care. Madge was presented with an actual portrait of herself and her mother at an event hosted at a local gallery.
What a wonderful way to bring attention to the 178,000 caregivers in our state who are working hard to support the family members we love. I’m sure there are others like me who appreciate Madge’s dedication to her mom and applaud AARP Maine for honoring her in such a meaningful way. Meanwhile, I shared my story at aarp.org/iheartcaregivers and I hope that others will, too.
Anne Palmer
Waterville