V-J Day story

I am pleased the Trib runs stories on past wars, like the Aug. 14 “Recalling V-J Day” story, as today we are the beneficiaries of all who have served in the Armed Forces.

But while reading the Aug. 14 article, I was surprised when my dad, Buck Gibson, was mentioned. Researching the facts instead of just “getting” the story would have been more professional. There are several reasons for my disappointment:

* First, the information told to the Trib by Jo Koehne about my father is inaccurate. This dishonors my father and the other 316 who survived from among a crew of 1,196 on board the U.S.S. Indianapolis when it was sunk by a Japanese submarine on July 30, 1945.

Verification through the U.S.S. Indianapolis Survivor’s Organization, written books, newspaper and magazine articles would not have been difficult. Why didn’t the Trib contact his family in Belton, Robinson, Waco and Whitney? We would have been the best resource.

* Second, I do not doubt that my dad knew Mrs. Koehne. However, I question the validity of their having dated as my dad would have been in his early twenties and she a teenager.

* Third, she gives the impression that my dad did not have his faculties about him. I do not disclaim that there were residual affects of the ordeal he experienced. Horrifying memories of the ship’s sinking and days prior to their rescue did weigh on his mind heavily. But my dad went on to work at General Tire for 34 years and ran a successful cattle business on our 321-acre farm in Mount Calm.

My dad passed away on Sept. 28, 2008.

I appreciate the deserved mention of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, but I would have expected all the facts to have been verified.

Stacey Gibson

Belton

MDA telethon

It’s time again to be generous and give to Jerry Lewis’ telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association this Labor Day weekend.

This weekend’s telethon is the 45th annual Labor Day show. Last year’s telethon raised $60.5 million. The telethon can be seen at www.mda.org.

More than 250,000 volunteers will take part in helping to raise money for MDA. I want to especially thank all of the local firemen for their annual drive and for anyone else who gives of his time to help this cause.

As a participant of the MDA organization, I can verify that the donations go for research, equipment and camp for the children. I don’t anticipate a cure being found in my lifetime, but hopefully it will be found in my grandchildren’s lifetime.

Lou Gehrig’s disease took the life of my husband 11 years ago. He was robbed of the joy of ever meeting his grandchildren.

Thanks to all who help this weekend.

Lana Dunham

Waco

Baylor football

Baylor University keeps talking about filling up the stadium this season, but have they ever stopped to think that Waco is not a rich town? We have poor and middle-class people who cannot afford these ticket prices. Years ago, there were end zone tickets available, which most people could afford.

This is why Baylor doesn’t have a full house.

Nell Peters

Waco