Most people’s interpretation of Memorial Day being Veterans Day gets me a little sideways, but Hugh Martin’s letter published June 2 (“Some men so loved their country that they gave their lives”) about men dying for their country got me turned plumb around.

He asked, “Am I the only person that thinks this way?” Well, it ain’t against the law to think. You can think what you want to.

Then he asked, “Which verse do you want to believe?” Just because you believe something don’t make it so. I believe the moon’s made out of cheese.

Here are some things I want to think that I know, not believe, about being a veteran.

I was drafted into the Army for two years and hated every minute of it. When someone tells me, “Thank you for your service,” it makes me nauseated and sick to my stomach. 

I would rather have a green planet than a Purple Heart.

I would rather plant a tree instead of planting a statement about what someone else did so I can plant that tree.

I would rather wave off a plastic bag or plastic straw than wave a flag.

I have more respect for opossums and poison oak than I do for preachers and politicians.

I know I am investing in my grandchildren’s future and not in some veteran’s past.

I know I want to be remembered for fighting to ban tobacco in the parks and fighting to ban the releasing of balloons in Rowan County, not for fighting in a war in Vietnam.

No need to thank me. You’re welcome.

— Whitey Harwood

Rowan County