VETERANS MEMORIALS
Response to 'Patriot Guard Riders aid
at soldiers’ funerals,' Metro, Dec. 8
Ann Hardie’s feature on Georgia’s Patriot Guard Riders reminded me of their participation at my husband’s service. He was a World War II Navy veteran.
Those who have not met the Patriot Guard Riders may mistakenly conclude they are a bunch of rough-looking guys in faded jeans and vests who are riding motorcycles and up to no good. That is not true. They are not all “guys.” There are female Patriot Guard Riders, and those of all ages. Their silent presence at funerals fulfills their exemplary mission: “Standing for those who stood for us.”
At my husband’s service, the riders were already at the site when we arrived. I don’t know how long they had stood at attention holding American flags, but they clearly planned their arrival to be unobtrusive and respectful. As the service ended, a female rider presented me with a booklet containing condolences from riders across the country. After my goodbye to my husband, their leader pressed a lapel pin into my hand. It held the words “Mission Accomplished.” I found this simple message and the silent presence of these patriots immensely comforting.
MARY MAHONEY, DECATUR
FREEDOM
As we honor Mandela,
remember enslaved
I really enjoyed your recent coverage of the life of civil rights icon Nelson Mandela. He was a tireless fighter against apartheid and social injustice.
Did he make any progress in the abolition of slavery? It has been reported that thousands are enslaved in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ethiopia. Other African countries like Mauritania have high slavery rates. Millions live in slavery, but at least we are rid of the evil that is apartheid.
Let’s all celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela!
PAT MURPHY, FAYETTEVILLE
COMMENTARY
Don’t demean writer
who’s a Nobel winner
Regarding “A Harvard wonk challenges the Atlanta story” (Metro, Dec. 8), there was one jarring note in this piece. It felt spiteful to call [Paul] Krugman the “renowned darling of the left.”
Krugman is renowned because he’s a Nobel Prize winner and a distinguished professor at Princeton — no mean honors.
GENE GRIESSMAN, SANDY SPRINGS
Cartoonist should try
sharing his own funds
Regarding Mike Luckovich’s Dec. 8 cartoon on income inequality (Opinion), I have a great idea.
Luckovich should go find a protesting fast food worker and give that individual enough of his income so that there would be no income inequality between them. What? That’s not a good idea, Mike? You work hard, are talented and deserve to keep what you earn?
Oh — you want the government to be your proxy and seize, by force, the income of others as the means to those ends — while you keep yours?
LEN CAYCE, LAWRENCEVILLE
