More action needed to fight child abuse

Editor:

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Why doesn't this surprise me? A longtime Kanawha County Metro 911 dispatcher recently admitted to sexual abuse charges linked to the fondling of his teenage stepdaughter.

I attended a rape crisis center for several months. What an eye-opener. It is such a shame it has taken so long, so very long for officials who are in charge of government agencies, whether they have been elected or appointed, to start speaking about abuse toward women and children, especially here in West Virginia.

 From bullying to the inappropriate touch or strike to battery, does it still continue? Yes it does. How long does it take before anything is done? A month, a year, 10 years?

Have those in charge truly made their impact that this behavior will not be accepted? Not in schools, nor in the workplace nor when one comes into a person's place of business. Can victims count on those that their voices, their cries, will be heard, or will it just fall to the wayside?

I have seen and spoken with women and children, with the same response from each. "Did you report it?" I would ask. Their reply: "No, why should I? Nothing will ever be done."

Elizabeth M. Sullivan

Paw Paw

A salute to cadet and colleagues

Editor:

I had the honor and the privilege to attend the visitation of friends and family for Marine Cadet Brendan C. George at Casdorph and Curry Funeral Home. Brendan was a Marine Corps Junior ROTC cadet at St. Albans High School, and passed away Oct. 14, on his 15th birthday. Brendan was a friend of my son, who is one of his fellow cadets. I did not have the opportunity to meet Brendan in his life, but my son spoke highly of him, and considered him as a close friend.

At the memorial service, the St. Albans High School Marine Corps cadets paid tribute to their fallen friend and comrade by rendering the "slow salute" at his casket side one-by-one, paying the last and greatest tribute a service member can to a departed comrade. Each and every cadet performed this ceremony with pride, professionalism and dignity. As a 30-year veteran I am proud of these young women and men. Our children are our future, and these young women and men of the Junior ROTC are the vanguard. If these cadets continue their service to our country and their fellow mankind in the manner they did tonight, in uniform or civilian capacity, then surely America's future is secure. St. Albans High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC, the state of West Virginia, and our nation has lost one of its finest, before his finest hour. Godspeed, Marine Cadet Sergeant Brendan C. George. And Godspeed to these young cadets.

Retired Col. Michael Kitts, U.S. Army

St. Albans

The GI bill is alive and well

Editor:

In response to the op-ed by Dan Cook on Oct. 9, first, let me thank him for his service, but sometimes the record must be put straight. The GI bill is well and alive and, if anything, has been made more generous by the current Congress.

The assertion the GI Bill has been done away with is totally untrue. Secondly, I served in the military during the 1970's and always paid both federal and state taxes, so this is also incorrect. I don't know the exact date when the military was required to pay taxes but it is certainly not in recent history.

I would also comment on Mr. Cook's premise the current all-volunteer army barely has high school degrees and seems to be the "bottom of the barrel." The all-volunteer army is by far the most effective fighting force ever fielded by this country. If Mr. Cook would spend some time and speak to our military leadership, of which many have known the services comprised of draftees and now the all-volunteer army, I can assure you they would choose the all-volunteer army. I am closely related to one of our military schools and the supposedly "elite" are some of the best this country has to offer. I have, unfortunately, known parents of the elite who have given sons and daughters to the cause. Yes, these men and women were from the what Mr. Cook would call "the entitled," and I can assure Mr. Cook death in battle knows no class.

While I'm sure Mr. Cook's comments are based on his life experiences, facts are facts.

Steve Lane

White Sulphur Springs

Fix the roads or stop the taxes

Editor:

 laugh every time I read about our big surplus in the state of West Virginia! What a joke! There is not to be a big surplus in this state anyhow! There hasn't been any resurfacing or repair to hardly any roads in this state since Cecil Underwood was governor of this state! I am a lifelong Democrat! These roads in this state are in terrible condition. Nothing has been done to show a surplus! They resemble the '50s and '60s roads. You tear up a new car in two years! It all started under Gov. Caperton and still continues today! All kind of taxes in West Virginia are designated for road repair! If they aren't going to fix them, they should stop the taxation!

Howard L. Keyser

New Haven