Firefighters are best of the best

Dear Editor:

After months of debate and negative dialogue, I feel obligated to respond.

Months ago my firefighter son was badly injured on the job and may soon require a second surgery, and his career may possibly be over.

As a mother and grandmother of firefighters and frequent user of services that firefighters provide, I feel obligated to respond to all the rhetoric concerning firefighter benefits. The benefits paid to firefighters deserve to be paid -- you are getting the "best of the best!" I don't think the public realizes the years of training, physical and mental testing, and in some cases, advanced education that is required. When one or two positions open up in a department, most times hundreds, apply for that spot. During those interim years, most are unpaid, volunteer firefighters until or when they get hired as permanent firefighters. When one is finally chosen, believe me, you are getting "the best of the best!"

Firefighters respond to many emergencies such as traffic accidents, medical, gas leaks, etc., and of course, fires. Every call requires skill, expertise, strength, courage and compassion.

You may thinking at this point, I am only a proud mom, and I am.

Unfortunately, I have had to call 911 using the services of firefighters at least 17 times over the course of 25 years. All resulted in hospital stays, starting with a head-on auto

collision (not my fault) that resulted in a broken neck, my husband's serious heart condition, (cardiac arrest) and several hip dislocations (excruciating pain). In every instance, the minute I heard the sirens I breathed a sigh of relief. In every single instance, in Santa Clara and Contra Costa counties both, I felt like "I was saved."

Every firefighter that who treated us was well-trained, kind, compassionate, polite, knowledgeable and just wonderful in every way.

I wasn't thinking about the parcel taxes I may have to pay or benefits to the brave firefighters, I was just praying I would be soon out of pain and still alive when It was all over. In my mind, they deserve the benefit -- they have earned them! Trust me, if your life, or your child's life, or any loved one is in danger, you will be grateful there was a fully staffed fire station and trained firefighters close by.

I feel they deserved an Olympic gold medal because they were "the best of the best," taking care of me until I got to the hospital.

Karen Long

Brentwood

Veteran's view on patriotism

Dear Editor:

I remind all who attended this year's Antioch Memorial Day Thunder of the speech by the event's keynote speaker, Chuck Kohler, a Pearl Harbor survivor, who said,"Those shipmates and buddies, forever they're lost, never to breathe air again, must always be honored and forever remembered, or their sacrifices will have been in vain."

Honored and forever remembered applied then, and applies today, and involves all wars and conflicts. That is remembrance. But where is that remembrance? It is lost as shown by Antioch residents who show up in paltry numbers to Memorial Day and Veterans Day? As the largest city in Contra Costa County, with more than 120,000 residents, it is appalling that a mere 400 to 500 show up to remember and honor our veterans, past and present. One hundred of those were bikers.

By comparison, an estimated crowd of some 30,000 attended the Antioch Fourth of July fireworks! A sure sign of patriotism. But also a sure sign that July 4 has more meaning to Antioch residents than remembering our veterans.

Antioch residents should show and express their patriotism and remembrance by a tremendous turnout at Memorial Day Thunder in May and at the Veterans Day Parade in November. I know both of these events have fallen on weekdays giving rise to the excuse by some, "I have to work," or "I'm going camping."

True patriots plan for these events and do whatever it takes to remember and honor our veterans, including those who paid the ultimate price for your freedom. Don't let their sacrifice be in vain. And one more thing, show your patriotism further by flying the American flag year round.

Larry Thomas

Vietnam veteran Antioch

McNerney deserves to be re-elected

Dear Editor:

We need a leader who will not only lead the fight to restore our economy, but possess the expertise and willpower to move our towns and families forward.

For these reasons, I am completely behind re-electing Congressman Jerry McNerney. He fully acknowledges the value of the dollar and the hardships of unemployment, and understands the difficulties of supporting a family in these tough times. Jerry McNerney proves his intelligence on what matters to all of us, because he is one of us. Congressman McNerney faces the same struggles as all of us and, for this reason, remains an unyielding advocate for what we require here in Contra Costa County.

Congressman McNerney worked with families at risk for foreclosure, and fought to bring federal dollars to our communities to revitalize our local economies. In an age of political inadequacy and widespread frustration, I firmly believe that Congressman McNerney, with his strong moral standings and genuine, down-to-earth demeanor, is the man to complete the task.

Alex Goodson

Brentwood

Upset about children of illegals

Dear Editor:

Isn't this just terrific? I am livid! Now, people brought into this country illegally as children will be competing for jobs with the descendants whose ancestors came here hundreds of years ago. Does anyone really know the definition of "illegal" or "legal?"

So now, in the Bay Area alone 46,000 of those under 31 will qualify for work permits. Because I'm in that same age category, this means if I were in the job market, I might find myself in that competitive realm. I just can't wait. Luckily, I own a successful business and there is no way I'll ever hire these people.

This is a total atrocity! But then look at the politicians who support this! Lungren, Miller, Lee! No surprise!

Dawn Magnussen

Brentwood

Letters policy

Let your East County neighbors know what you think about issues of the day by writing a letter to the editor.

Send letters to Editor, The News, 1700 Cavallo Road, Antioch, CA 94509, or email them to bnews@bayareanewsgroup.com or fax them to Judith Prieve at 925-706-2305.

Letters should be signed. Both letters and email should include the daytime phone number and address of the writer. The information will not be printed but rather used for verification purposes.

We reserve the right to edit or not publish letters deemed potentially libelous, that are ads for local businesses or are otherwise unsuitable for a family newspaper.

Also, we are looking for guest commentaries, especially on local issues. Please send your guest commentaries to jprieve@bayareanewsgroup.com or bnews@bayareanewsgroup.com. If you have any questions, call 925-779-7178.