The following are letters to the editor that appeared in the June 24 print edition of The Peninsula Gateway. To submit a letter, e-mail gatewayeditor@gateline.com. Please keep letters submissions to 250 words.
May I request that any person who has visited our new city park named after Mr. Kenneth L. Marvin take the time to read the history of this outstanding man and his Wake Island Marines.
They were respectfully referred to as “The Old Breed,” trained to the max, highly motivated and well-disciplined. They even lived by the old and proven code of the musketeer, which taught, “All for one and one for all.”
The Japanese were very harsh to our prisoners of war. They made the Spanish Inquisition look like Sunday school teachers.
Our regular POWs, who unfortunately were taught the nonsense that, in extreme situations, it’s every man for himself, died by the thousands.
However, very few of the old breed died as POWs. Despite the super harsh work in unheated mines in the wilds of Manchuria, 16-hour days for more than four years.
They cared for each other. They survived. They persevered. They brought honor to themselves and our nation.
May the soul and spirit of Kenneth Leo Marvin and his mates rest forever in Avalon, in the brightest corner of Valhalla.
Carl H. Rehberg, Gig Harbor
I am saddened to read the recent op-ed in the Gateway regarding Referendum 71. In the article, Cindy Manning explains why everyone should sign the bill. She claims, “Referendum 71 will give us the right to voice our opinion.”
Not signing Referendum 71 will also give you the right to voice your opinion against intolerance.
Senate Bill 5688, which recently passed, was a great victory for same-sex couples. It offered full benefits and rights for the couples and their families.
Manning’s one concern was that the bill included this line: “Marriage shall apply equally to state-registered domestic partnerships.” But I would like to clear something up. Domestic partnerships are not a replacement for full marriage equality. All families deserve true equality under the law.
Manning also states, “It takes a man and a woman to create future generations.” Gay and lesbian couples have children.
In Washington state, domestic partnerships are an important way for children of gay and lesbian couples to have the legal rights that the children of married couples take for granted. This bill doesn’t only affect couples, it also affects the children of that couple.
Please have empathy for those who don’t have all the rights that you or your children have. Domestic partnerships will not inevitably lead to marriage equality.
Massachusetts, the first state to legalize marriage equality, never had domestic partnerships. What will inevitably lead to marriage equality is an honest conversation about the lives of Washington families and the important role marriage plays in providing family stability.
So, please, decline to sign Referendum 71 and keep intolerance out of Washington state.
Henk Meyers, Gig Harbor
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission wishes to thank the hundreds of community members who attended meetings and wrote e-mails and letters expressing how much you value Kopachuck, Joemma Beach and other state parks.
Your message was clear — that you want parks to remain open and available, and that you are willing to help.
Dozens of community members have shown up at the parks and put in hours of hard work, performing stewardship activities such as invasive plant species removal, trail cleanup and other improvements.
Your community spirit is impressive.
We want you to know that your work and support are heart-felt by all of our state parks rangers and staff. It’s a gift to us to know that you value your parks, and park and recreation services.
We appreciate the bold step taken by the 2009 Legislature to pass House Bill 2339, establishing the new donation program tied to vehicle license tab renewal.
Beginning with September renewals, vehicle owners will see a $5 donation to state parks added to their tab renewal bill. Of course, you have the choice not to participate — but we hope you will.
As the Legislature wrote in our budget, all state parks will remain open in the 2009-11 budget cycle, provided that adequate donations from this program are collected.
We’ll do our best to earn your continued support.
Enjoy your parks! Thank you!
Rex Derr, Director Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, Gig Harbor
This year, I decided to retire after 40 years in teaching. Thirty of those at Gig Harbor High School.
Cheers, cheers and more to “my” staff, my wonderful world language peeps and Nancy Janski’s Spanish kids.
I received meaningful presents and then the best, most moving tribute. “My” peeps collected bags and bags of food, toiletries, clothing and other items for the needy.
I can think of no finer tribute.
Gracias, Merci, Danke and thank you are not enough. What a wonderful retirement send-off!
Cristie Laybourn, Gig Harbor
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