As you read this, thousands of soldiers are protecting America’s freedom in service to our beloved country, here and around the world. They are placing themselves in harm’s way so that you and I may live in freedom.
Many of my relatives served in the military. Two uncles served in the U.S. Army during World War I. My son served in the Air Force during the first Gulf War. A brother served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. I had 10 first cousins who served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam and during the Cold War. My wife had four brothers who all served in the military — the Navy, Marines and Army.
The military draft ended in 1973. That may be one reason more young people do not choose to serve in the military.
The military was not looked upon as a bad thing until, quite frankly, the war that I was in during the 1960s. That’s when war and service in our military became a terrible thing. It was protested. Nowadays, you find college administrators who were students during the Vietnam War and were out there burning their draft cards and trying to avoid service, in large part because it was “the thing to do.”
Well, guess who we’ve got running colleges, universities and this country today?
On my return from the Far East in the early ’60s, the message came over the speaker on the plane for us to get into civilian clothing as soon as we were on the ground because protesters were throwing rocks and spitting on returning soldiers.
I wondered what country we were landing in. It was one of the worst days of my life. But I’m not surprised it happened. Disappointed, yes, but not surprised.
I’m sure the next generations will have to pay a terrible price. Will they stand and be counted as a great or a failed generation?
— Hugh Martin
Salisbury

As I watched the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” and re-viewed the vagaries of George Bailey and the “Bailey Bros. Building & Loan Association,” I’m sure I wasn’t the only resident of Rowan County to be reminded of, and to be grateful for, Paul Fisher and his forebears and family, and of F&M Bank for their sacrifices and for their contributions to our community as they have become our leading corporate citizen.
— David Bingham
Salisbury

With the purchase of the Salisbury Mall we now have a circus in the county — ringmaster Sides, three clowns and a big white elephant. A circus has to have a animal and now we’ve got one. Don’t know what Mr. Page can do, so just give him a shovel.
— Jimmy Thompson
Salisbury