June 17, 2004

ValleyViewpoints

Marine encourages Americans to support the president and military personnel

Editor,
I am a 28-year-old United States Marine, who has been on active duty for five years. I am as proud of being a Marine today as I was the day I walked into the recruiter's office as a civilian and signed the dotted line. I am currently deployed to Iraq in support of "Iraqi Freedom II" and I am proud and honored to be here. I volunteered to come to the fight. Not just for myself and America, but for the Iraqi people.

I use to be in the Infantry for my first four years, but I recently re-enlisted into another Occupational Specialty. I did so knowing the consequences of my actions, when I resigned on that same dotted line which I did four years prior. I hear almost everyday how President Bush has misled us (the military) and the American people. To these comments I snub my nose.

Every time I turn the television on, I hear that Americans including and especially the military don't want to be here and are angry towards President Bush. However, everyone I have talked with about our Commander in Chief, and the choices he has made regarding Iraq and the overall "War on Terrorism," nearly all agree he has made the right choice. We are proud and honored to be here. If you ask the Marines and other soldiers back in the states how they feel, they will more than likely tell you they wish they were here to help.

So I ask of you who read this, don't jump to conclusions that we don't want to be here, because we do and we are willing to stay for as long as it takes. The news media and other reporters say, "Parents, wives, husbands, friends and family, want their family (military member) out of Iraq because they don't want to be there!" Well they are not here and they don't know the whole story.

There is more than one reason why we are here.

And to all those people who protest in the streets, "if it wasn't for us, you wouldn't be able to do what you do!" So instead of protesting and condemning us, the next time you see an American military service member (male or female), say thank you and that you support them. It's time that Americans and the world swallow their pride and for once put down the signs, posters and banners and support the American president and the military under his charge.

Sergeant Dennis J. Wininger
United States Marine Corps
Willow Glen High School graduate

Don’t change the name of Almaden Branch Library

Editor,
Regarding the article on efforts to rename the Almaden Library (Almaden Times Weekly, June 10 issue) why must there be controversy? The Almaden Community Center and Almaden Branch Library is undergoing re-construction, not re-naming. Keep our name Almaden Branch Library. I attended the public hearing regarding changing the name or our Almaden Branch Library and I do not feel that your recent article and coverage of the meeting reflects the views for both sides.

This is what I want people to know: The group for renaming the library to Doris Dillon Almaden Valley Branch Library was very well organized. Most of them were school teachers and principals of schools. This does not represent the majority of the residents of Almaden Valley.

The residents that attended the meeting that want the name to stay as is did not know they would be able to speak. They spoke very passionately; from the heart and off the cuff. The two students that spoke on Doris’s behalf and all the others that Doris has taught are going to remember her whether or not a building is named after her. Doris’s legacy is the children she taught, not putting her name on a building. The Library Commission voted not to change the name. However they made it very clear, that the City Council does not always follow their recommendations.

We need to keep an identity that is easily understandable to all of our citizens and one that reflects civic pride.

We need to keep the names of our libraries geographical.

Help us keep our name Almaden Branch Library.

Diane Perovich
Royalwood Way

AYA sports fields will make car-pooling easier

Editor,
I have three children playing soccer and baseball in Almaden. Trying to get them to their practices and games is certainly a challenge, however it would not be possible without the help of carpools. I look forward to carpooling to the proposed sports fields in Almaden instead of all the way to Evergreen College, or Harker Academy in Santa Clara. Our children deserve to have decent fields in their own community to play on with out the risk of injury. Thank you to all those involved to get this much-needed facility completed.

G. Todd
Via Jose

New fields will mean no longer having to be embarrassed

Editor,
I am a 14-year-old soccer and baseball player in Almaden. Two years ago my team hosted a soccer ‘friendly’ at one of our local middle schools. It was very embarrassing to overhear comments regarding our poor field conditions from members of the other team. Even if I am too old to play on the proposed sports fields, I will be glad that other Almaden athletes will not have to be embarrassed when other teams come to play in our area.

A. Todd
Via Jose

Almaden couple left their mark on valley

Editor,
So long, farewell… We at Mural In Progress wish to bid a fond adieu to the Santa Clara County and our neighbors in Almaden Valley. Our nonprofit is moving our operations to the Sacramento area after working with over 30,000 students on 80 murals in Santa Clara County.

Mural In Progress provided opportunities for children to create world-class art in community projects by working with a professional muralist. We’ve had the chance to meet and work with the most amazing children, teachers and administrators these past four years. This process brings out the best in everyone involved.

We wish to thank all of the school PTO and PTA clubs as well for allowing Mural In Progress to work with your children to create positive lifelong memories.

For more information, please call or visit our Web site to view completed murals. For everyone in Santa Clara County, we wish you Godspeed, and keep muralling!

Karen and Steve Romito
Mural In Progress
www.muralinprogress.com