’21-gun salute’ rarely used
After attending two events this Memorial Day weekend at Chattanooga National Cemetery, I noticed that both sponsoring organizations had incorrectly printed in their programs the term “21-gun salute.”
An actual 21-gun salute is reserved for heads of state, such as presidents and vice presidents, and involves firing of a cannon (gun) 21 separate rounds. You will probably never see a 21-gun salute performed in this area. What is performed at these ceremonies and sometimes at veterans’ funerals is called “Three volleys” and is done with a rifle squad firing three times simultaneously.
The rifle squad can be made up of any number of rifles, three, five, but most often seven. That is where a lot of people think “seven rifles firing three shots equals 21-gun salute” but that is incorrect.
This causes some veterans’ families to think they have been short-changed when they only have three or five rifles for their funeral but the honor of three volleys is the same regardless of the number of rifles in the squad.
The next time there is a presidential funeral in Washington, watch the coverage on television and you’ll see a true 21-gun salute.
DAVID COX
Tennessee Director
Bugles Across America
Firearms law is common sense
Sadly, the Free Press has published yet another editorial in opposition to a Tennessee law that recognizes the right of citizens with licenses to carry guns to do so even in places that serve alcohol (May 29).
While the law is clear that it is a crime to consume alcohol while carrying a gun, the editorial misleadingly headlines that “Guns and alcohol shouldn’t mix,” smears those who favor the law as being holdovers from the “wild West” who are guided by “emotion and politics,” and congratulates those who oppose the law as being “sensible and responsible” and exhibiting “common sense.”
However, the shrill ad hominem rantings of the editorial are themselves merely emotional arguments that abandon thoughtful principles.
The important principles are these: God has given each of us the right to defend ourselves and our neighbors; the U.S. Constitution confirms and protects that right; and the rights of law-abiding, trained and licensed citizens should not be abrogated by government.
Those who possess a license to carry a gun are law-abiding citizens who, as long as they do not drink themselves, should be allowed to protect themselves in Applebee’s just as they are in Hardee’s.
It’s just common sense.
PHILIP LANCASTER
Lookout Mountain, Ga.
Obama’s absence speaks volumes
Having spent some time at our National Cemetery on Memorial Day, I can’t help but reflect on the fact that our president decided the day wasn’t important enough for him to participate in ceremonies at Arlington.
Clearly, Mr. Obama has a marked distaste for his role as commander in chief of our armed forces. Given his conspicuous absence from any traditional Memorial Day events, I can only conclude that he is at best indifferent to — or at worst, openly contemptuous of — the sacrifices made by our military heroes. Lip service is facile, while one’s actions bespeak real convictions!
We enjoy a remarkable (though dwindling) freedom in America, a nation that most of us continue to see as great, notwithstanding that Obama apparently sees little noteworthy, distinctive or honorable about the U.S.A.
As former Tennessee Congressman Robin Beard often observed, “It ought to make you mad.”
KENT KRESSENBERG
Obama not only president absent
In a recent letter, a gentleman criticized the president for paying his Memorial Day respect at a cemetery near his former home in Illinois, rather then laying a wreath at Arlington. With all the other problems that we face in our country, this is scraping the barrel and a true waste of print.
Just for the record, President George H.W. Bush never once visited Arlington in the four years that he was in office, and no one would deny his patriotism. He skipped one year to play golf, and if you research before writing to the newspaper, you find that even Saint Ronnie missed a few.
SALLY COOK
Hixson
Collections timely for the food bank
On May 8, area letter carriers rounded up more than 66,000 pounds of food to stock the shelves of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. It was a lovely day, but even more beautiful was the generosity shown by citizens, the letter carriers and volunteers who helped sort the food as the trucks rolled in.
The board, staff and volunteers of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank appreciate the carriers, the Postal Service, media members who spread the word, and a generous citizenry. This year the need is historic as our national economy works its way back to good health. Unemployment is still high, impacting many families for the very first time. At the same time, our corporate food donations are at a low level. Thus, it is community support that is providing relief in these unusual times.
The Letter Carriers Drive historically supports food banks. It is the only national food drive, filling the shelves of every food bank across the country, and we cannot adequately thank our great postal men and women.
CLARE M. SAWYER
President
Chattanooga Area Food Bank
Article missed singer’s purpose
In reference to the May 29 article about LifeSpring Foundation’s trip to Mongolia, I was disappointed that readers had to jump to page B8 before hearing about the Chattanooga team member, Terran “T-Ran” Gilbert. T-Ran was invited by LifeSpring Foundation to join the Mongolia trip as their music leader. T-Ran and his band, 22Visionz, are performing again on Faith and Family Night at Riverbend this year. He took time away from recording with his band to help organize benefit concerts for the Mongolia project in Tennessee, Florida and Texas.
T-Ran has a heart for young people because of his own struggles as a teen. His music brings healing, hope and unity that transcends racial and geographical borders.
At a time when we have African-Americans marching in the streets to protest youth violence, your newspaper should celebrate when young people from Chattanooga are doing things to save lives. T-Ran is doing just that by going to Mongolia. I wish the May 29 article would have emphasized that.
NICOLE GWYN
Why fault Obama but not others?
Obama’s priorities are the same as Reagan and Bush and “W”:
On May 29 was a letter criticizing Obama for not going to Arlington (Cemetery).
I assume that if I checked “Letters to the Editor” for May 1983, 1992 and 2007, I would find identical letters of criticism regarding President Reagan, H.W. Bush and G.W. Bush for skipping the laying of wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Why do people feel it necessary to only criticize this president for the same actions as past Republican presidents?
NELSON SULLIVAN
Hixson