Followed by an angel

On March 1, my dad, Donnie, was traveling down old Speegleville Road when he had a diabetes attack, causing him to black out and his truck to leave the road. Thankfully, a young man was behind him when he lost control and came to my dad’s aid.

Dad said when he woke up he had a Coke in his hand and a sweet tart in his mouth. He also said that Jon checked his pulse several times, letting him know he was going to be fine. Jon also called my mom from his cell phone.

As stubborn as my dad is, he told Jon not to call 9-1-1, that he did a good job but had just forgotten to take his meds. My mother told me after she got there that the truck was back on the road and Jon was just leaving. My father is very bad with names, but he remembers this one — Jonathan Guerra.

Jonathan, if you read the Trib, thank you so very much for being there for my dad. My mother and I are so very grateful there are people out there like you who care for others.

Thank you again.

Jason Kelp

Lorena

Women in the service

I’m writing in response to Roger Olson’s March 3 letter about women in submarines, which was in response to Trib Editor Carlos Sanchez’s Feb. 28 column about gender issues. I sympathize with all my heart that Olson wouldn’t want his daughters to be required to register for selective service.

I’m the mother of three sons, and, as long as there is a requirement to register, my sons will always be on the list of American men ages 18 and older eligible for service. I don’t like the draft for any American. I would certainly do my best to discourage my sons from volunteering for military service because I have my own agenda. But ultimately, it wouldn’t be my decision. 

I do not believe this country will ever have true gender equality if women are excluded from being required to register for the draft equally with men. Women have been limited in this country far too long. We have been restricted to the point that we will never know what this country could have been. It’s been less than 100 years since women have been allowed to vote.

Mr. Olson, I understand you love your daughters. I’m sure I don’t love my sons any less. If women are ever to be truly respected as equally capable in America, the requirement for women to serve beside men would certainly be a major step.

Karen Bell

Hewitt

Stand against health care reform

In spite of every single poll I’ve read — all showing that the majority of American citizens reject the proposed health care legislation — it appears our president is hellbent on getting it passed anyway.

While most believe our health care system does need reform, most disagree with the massive bill currently proposed by Congress. Evidently, our elected representatives think they know what’s best for us. Or do they? Are they about to invoke reconciliation to pass health care legislation just because President Barack Obama wants them to do so?

When will our voices be heard? When will Congress submit to the will of the people? I suspect this won’t happen until we citizens send a very clear message to Congress that we’re tired of the reckless spending. And we can do this only by exercising our power in voting them out of office this November.

We must band together and take back our country before it’s too late.

Pete Gilmore

Aquilla

* * *

I hope U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, will stand by his earlier vote against the federal government’s proposed takeover of health care.

Such issues should be handled by each state. We don’t need a bean counter in far-off Washington, D.C., to be making decisions about our health care.

Mike Thompson Jr.

Austin

In defense of ‘Peanuts’

I feel compelled to respond to Nancy Erskine’s Feb. 22 letter in the Trib expressing shock at the “Peanuts” comic strip [“Peanuts cartoon was heartless”]. I have loved “Peanuts” since I was old enough to begin reading it, and I’m 48.

What Erskine does not understand is that “Peanuts” creator Charles Schulz touched Americans’ lives with his strip on a deep and profound level. He was not afraid to explore topics that were painful as well as funny, yet real enough for people, young and old, to identify with.

I agree with what she said about the strip on Valentine’s Day not being funny. It was, however, painfully real. As a child, when I read “Peanuts,” I saw myself in Charlie Brown: his emotions, his letdowns, his depression, his ever-so-rare triumphs.

It was as if Schulz understood me so personally, and that made me feel not so alone. The “Peanuts” gang helped me cope with life’s unpleasant moments when I had nowhere else to turn, and I suspect I’m not the only grown-up who feels that way. What an empty space there would be in the world, and my soul, if there were no “Peanuts.”

As I said, I saw myself in Charlie Brown. And, with all respect, I see Erskine as Lucy, a crabby little girl ready to gripe at any and all who disagree with her.

I hope she grows up.

Stephen Gilmore

Hewitt

* * *

In reference to the Feb. 22 letter by Nancy Erskine, all I can say is she must live in an ideal fantasy world where she is unaware that sin actually occurs.

As a Christian, Charles Schulz, the author of “Peanuts,” was obviously intentionally providing an opportunity for her to teach her son to act kindly and avoid prideful behavior, such as Lucy showed. 

E.S. Adler

Woodway