Letters to the Rockville Centre Herald

Honor the fallen, and the flag

To the Editor:

Memorial Day is the one day of the year on which our nation collectively pays respect and homage to all American servicemen and women who died while in service to our country. Rockville Centre residents again, as they have for the past 93 years, paid respect to those from our community who made the ultimate sacrifice.

One of the traditions Americans proudly followed in the past, at every parade led by a color guard, was to render a military salute if in uniform, doff their hat if wearing one, or place their right hand over their heart as the American flag passes. This is done to show respect for all those who died in the defense of that flag throughout our nation’s proud history.

The flag also represents every man, woman and child who make up the magnificent mosaic of citizens who can trace their roots to every corner of our planet. Our flag is what unites us, and it should be respected as such and rendered appropriate honors. Over the years this tradition has gradually diminished, and rare is the sight of someone showing proper respect to the flag as it passes before them. Usually it is only older people and veterans who do so.

While there is no law binding Americans to render a salute, it nevertheless is the proper thing to do, especially in these times, when we need Americans to take pride in themselves and in our nation. We are still the nation that almost every citizen from every country aspires to reside in. They do so because of our freedom and the opportunities that our honored war dead fought to preserve.

Mickey Clark

Rockville Centre

Village should help prevent DWIs

To the Editor:

Let me start by saying that I’ve never done anything like this, but I feel that the parking situation in Rockville Centre has gotten so bad that something needs to be done, and I’m starting with my local paper.

As we all know, the village has become a very popular area for bars and restaurants. Residents are joined by people from all over who come to town to enjoy a night out.