Planned Parenthood Response
Editor:
Just a polite reply to Dennis Evans, who wrote a letter preferring Ted Cruz over Donald Trump. Personally, I think that either one would be a disaster, but this is concerning your remark about Planned Parenthood selling baby parts.
If you bothered to keep up on the news, you would have seen that Planned Parenthood was cleared of all charges and that the group that faked the story were arrested for doing it. You should look a little deeper next time.
Daniel Heinecke
Donation Appreciated
Editor:
I volunteer at Shepherd’s Crook food pantry and I need to thank someone who dropped by Friday, Feb. 12 to donate some canned and boxed goods and also a bag of clothes. They also donated a Maxwell House one-pound coffee can full of money. They did not leave any name or address for a thank you note.
I got a call from the volunteer on site and told her that I would pick the can up in the morning. I brought it home Saturday afternoon after we closed and it took almost an hour to count, $193.08 was my count; over 100, $1 bills plus lots of coins. I will deposit it on Tuesday. A big shout out to this individual and/or family – thank you.
Shepherd’s Crook has been operating since September 2002 and we moved from St. Paul’s By the Sea Episcopal Church because of the fire in 2013. Now we are located at 205 S. Baltimore Avenue in Ocean City. In October 2015, we changed from three days to five days each week from 10 a.m. to noon. We are closed on Wednesdays and Sundays. We are blessed to have been joined in this ministry of outreach by O.C. Baptist, Atlantic United Methodist, First Presbyterian, Holy Spirit Episcopal and St. Peter’s Lutheran churches.
We have a total of 24 volunteers and we serve 40 to 45 individuals each day in the off season. The community that we serve come to us by walking, bus, and bicycle and a very few by car. All are welcome to come in, select items from our non-perishable shelves, enjoy a cup of coffee and an item from WAWA heated in our microwave. It is not unusual to find a selection of donuts from a local restaurant that have been donated.
Bruce Young
Ocean City
(The writer is a volunteer coordinator at Shepherd’s Crook.)
Thoughts On Trump
Editor:
Here my thoughts and feelings about Trump. Knowing the situation in this country regarding our debt, I started thinking why would Trump, with his wealth, want to run for president? With that thought I looked into where most of his wealth is and what the possibility of the dollar decline or failure would have on the core of his wealth. You can look this information up: Most of it is in commercial real estate, residential rental property, golf courses, resorts and related type facilities all of which might experience losses if we have a serious economic decline.
Now, what does Mr. Trump gain by becoming president? Obviously, he’s not a politician and really doesn’t belong to any particular party. He’s a businessman and an opportunist. So ask yourself what does America have that will increase in value regardless of what happens to the dollar or America in general? Natural resources. The government owns anywhere from 29% to 81% of 12 western states that hold a mass amount of untouched natural resources. The states are Nevada 81%, Utah 67%, Alaska and Idaho 62%, Oregon 53%, California & Wyoming 48%, Arizona 42%, Colorado 36%, New Mexico 35% and Montana & Washington 29%. These percentages are based on a 2014 analysis.
So, if elected, what does it give Mr. Trump? As president, he’ll have first-hand information on the pulse of our government and what they intend to do with this untapped wealth. As a businessman he’ll, I believe, find a way to use this info to maintain or increase his personal wealth. We, the people, might reap some benefit from what he’ll do with this information, through economic growth, but it won’t be done for Americas benefit but for him personally. He’s not a patriot. I think he’ll be doing it for himself.
I’m uncertain as to what cause or effects his dealings with other countries might have on our relations with them or their feeling toward America. I think he’ll be tough and difficult to deal with and it could lead to major discord. Based on his comments and attitude, it’s really uncertain and a major concern. The world is a very dangerous place now and the last thing any of us can afford or want is war. War today would be very destructive and we would all be losers.
I don’t know the answer regarding Mr. Trump. I only have questions. Will he make a good president? Will he be able to solve our debt problem? Will he, through his dealing with other nations, help to cause economic growth? If he becomes president only time will tell but I just don’t feel comfortable about the possibility.
These, of course, are my general thoughts and concerns regarding the possibility of him being elected president. I think it’s important that each of us consider these issues before casting our vote. I can only hope and pray that the right person, capable and willing to solve are nations problems, is chosen.
Paul St. Andre
Ocean City
National Salute Time
Editor:
It’s that time of year again when Americans reach out and say thank you to Veterans during the National Salute to Veterans Patients Week. This year, the weeklong recognition runs from Feb. 14 to Feb. 20, giving every American the opportunity to demonstrate their appreciation for the service men and women who voluntarily sacrificed in a myriad of ways to protect and preserve our freedom. Volunteers at VA facilities, including all of our sites throughout the VA Maryland Health Care System, join us during this annual salute, launched in 1978.
For 28 consecutive years, the nationally syndicated column started by Ann Landers, now called “Ask Annie,” has devoted space to the National Salute, asking readers to send Valentine cards and letters to hospitalized Veterans at VA medical facilities across the county. More than a million cards and letters are sent to VA patients each year during National Salute.
This year at the VA Maryland Health Care System, community members who serve as volunteers, including youth choirs, military bands, singers, and local residents with musical talents, are performing for Veteran patients during National Salute throughout our facilities. Others will sort and deliver the Valentine’s Day cards that come in all shapes and sizes, many that are handmade by students in local schools. It’s hard to express how these small kindnesses often cheer Veteran patients, especially if they haven’t received any visitors because their families live too far away.
While we join the nation to encourage the community to volunteer at VA facilities during National Salute to Veteran Patients Week, Marylander’s have the opportunity to show their appreciation to Veteran patients by volunteering their time or donating to a VA medical facility throughout the year. Currently, approximately 900 volunteers serve throughout the VA Maryland Health Care System, accumulating more than 8,564 hours monthly and equaling more than $197,571 of monthly paid hours. That translates to an annual savings of $2,370,742 for the health care system. Volunteers do a variety of tasks, including serving as drivers in our transportation network to ensure that Veterans can get to and from their medical appointments, among other services.
Becoming a volunteer is easy. This year, the VA Maryland Health Care System is putting out a call for volunteers across the state who like driving and who would like to participate in our Veterans Transportation Network. For more information, call the VA Maryland Health Care System’s Voluntary Service offices: the Baltimore VA Medical Center at: 410-605-7100; the Loch Raven VA Community Living & Rehabilitation Center at 410-605-7000, ext. 5877; or the Perry Point VA Medical Center at 410-642-1038. You can also get information about how to become a volunteer by visiting our website www.maryland.va.gov/giving/volunteer001.asp.
Even if it’s something as simple as sending a Valentine, I invite the community to celebrate National Salute to Veteran Patients Week with us, and together, let’s show Maryland’s Veterans that we appreciate their sacrifice and service.
Adam M. Robinson, Jr., M.D.
(The writer is the director of the VA Maryland Health Care System.)