What’s Pearl Harbor Day? Let me tell you
On one hand, I would like to compliment the Sentinel on a nice article remembering Pearl Harbor on Thursday. On the other hand, I thought it unfortunate that I had to look back to Page B3 to find it.
The attack on Pearl Harbor was one of the most significant events ever to happen to the United States, and I think articles about it should be kept to the front, especially on the anniversary recognizing it. Publications like the Orlando Sentinel are the only places where we will be reminded of what happened on Dec. 7, 1941.
To our younger generation, it has become something that they read in a history book and not something to be remembered. On that day, I was in a doctor’s office and had the occasion to ask a young lady in her late teens if she were aware that it was Pearl Harbor Day. Her response was, “What’s that?”
That’s the fault of members of the older generation’s allowing it to slip back in their own memories. What a shame.
Carl Anderson Orlando
Cherish good health
Thursday’s front-page article “Death of Timber Creek student, 14, stuns east Orange community” about Grace Foley dying suddenly after an epileptic seizure is beyond tragic; there are no words.
On Feb 8 of this year, seemingly healthy Shakira Webster, highly regarded employment-placement specialist at the Division of Blind Services, also died suddenly due to epilepsy. Only 39, the Casselberry resident was a loving, talented and passionate professional, extremely dedicated to helping her vision-impaired clients, as well as anyone else, as she volunteered for many causes. Her former clients, family and friends are still in disbelief. Shakira and her mom, Paulette, came here from Barbados, and I cannot imagine her mother’s sadness, left alone without her only child.
Both Grace and Shakira were selfless spirits who radiated good will, helping others all year. Especially in this holiday season, it reminds us that good health is a gift to be cherished every single day.
Lisa Maile Maitland
SunRail suicides and renting out rooms
Let’s not talk about what a poor investment SunRail has been. You cannot prevent people from committing suicide. Whether they jump off a bridge, drive a vehicle into water, walk in front of a train, or any method you can think of, you won’t be able to stop it from happening (“Agencies work to stop train suicides,” Orlando Sentinel, Sunday).
Let’s put things in perspective: If you put a fence on both sides of the tracks with razor wire on top, what would you do at the many street crossings? Let’s try to focus on something that might have a solution that could be at least partially solved.
Also, why does the Sentinel give front-page coverage to people who only think about what they want and think the rules should be changed to suit them? (“Couple wants Orange commission to allow short-term vacation rentals,” Sunday). Short-term rentals are restricted to limited areas for a reason. If homeowners want that type of arrangement, go buy a bed-and-breakfast in an area that is zoned for that type of housing.
Bill Butz Longwood
