Interesting letter to the editor in my local paper

[Bob_VT]

I saw this letter to the editor and it is a good read.......

Moment of silence for military?

Published: July 6, 2009

On Friday, June 26, 2009, the United States House of Representatives took a moment of silence to mark the passing of a celebrity.

However, the very same 435 members cannot render the same courtesy and honor every time a marine, soldier, sailor, or airman takes a bullet or makes the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of their country. Celebrities may have impacted lives but there is also no questioning the sacrifices these men and women in uniform willingly make. Where is Congress honoring the wounded and the fallen with a moment of silence? That's 40,914 moments of silence and surely they have done plenty on their part to deserve it.

I am a Marine Corps wife, and I was appalled that a moment of silence was held on behalf of a celebrity and the same honor and courtesy is not extended for the men and women fighting and dying overseas. Is the life of a celebrity more valuable than the men and women who have been sent overseas as part of our armed forces? Has one celebrity contributed more to this country than these brave men and women have?

Furthermore, the lack of recognition by the government is the ultimate disrespect to the grieving families of the fallen.

These brave men and women make sacrifices on behalf of this country every single day, and they undoubtedly deserve a moment of silence and recognition.

It's time for a change.

KRISTI BLAKE

Wallingford, VT