Students should support U.S. troops Regarding the...

Students should

support U.S. troops

Regarding the story “Corona del Mar students take stand on war”

(March 22).

When I read this article, I could not believe what I was reading.

I have had the greatest respect for our educational system and Corona

del Mar High School. However, my question is: What age were these

students, who are their teachers and where is their respect for

family, community and country?

In the last paragraph, Corona del Mar Principal Sharon Fry said,

“I think our students are making a statement. I’m proud of the way

they’re going about it.”

I disagree with this statement. I think we should be standing

behind our country in time of war and give these kids a history

lesson on what our country stands for and be proud we are Americans.

If this is our educational system, I think we should look at it

and evaluate what is happening to it.

MARY LOU KIEHLER

Newport Beach

Thanks to Marr for religion story

I would like to take a moment to compliment Michelle Marr on her

article “Remembering Ashken” (March 8). The Armenian Church is deeply

rooted in Christianity, dating back to the 3rd century, and is

steeped in tradition. And the 25th annual celebration of Women’s

Saints Day was yet another milestone in the rich, yet relatively

finite Armenian culture. Marr’s coverage of the tradition of Women’s

Saints Day was beautifully articulated in her article.

CLAUDETTE C. MEKALIAN

Newport Beach

A tribute to the man behind the “tree farm”

I think that with the passing of Ralph Dean of Costa Mesa, we may

lose sight of a part of our city’s history. For this reason, I want

to pass on a tribute I made for his wake.

I remember Ralph Dean not only as a longtime neighbor, but one who

most generously gave of his time to help me in developing a “tree

farm” for all of Costa Mesa. Ralph worked with me every weekend for

several months until it was done and running.

The Mesa Consolidated Water District gave us free use of their

land over at 15th Street near Santa Ana Avenue (now a 15-acre park).

I don’t remember even receiving a water bill.

After the tree farm was completed, various service clubs

participated by donating 500 trees each. Members of the club came

down to the farm on Saturdays and transferred the young trees from

1-gallon containers to 5-gallon containers.

We ended up with 6,500 trees, which are now full-grown at schools,

library, parkways, city parks and even along Harbor Boulevard by the

golf course.

What a wonderful memorial to Ralph Dean that will continue to

live.

DAVE LEIGHTON

Costa Mesa

There is a difference of opinion in Newport-Mesa

I have been part of the Newport-Mesa community for more than 30

years and a subscriber to the Daily Pilot for some length of time. A

letter on March 25, “Protest story did not reflect local sentiment,”

did not speak for me. It might surprise the writer to know that many

in our community do not agree with his viewpoint.

There was a peaceful candlelight vigil for peace a few Sundays ago

with more than 200 people standing on the corners of Newport

Boulevard and 19th Street. This proves that there are more than 200

people in this community who do not agree, and I am sure there are

many more out there. By the way, this vigil did not make the Daily

Pilot.

We care about the people in the military, and there is no

disrespect to them when a peace vigil is held. On the contrary, we

care deeply and respect them a great deal. We are trying to protect

them from being sent off to die or be wounded for an unjust cause:

“oil.” This does not make us unpatriotic because we do not agree with

the current White House administration. It is our right to disagree.

If the Daily Pilot’s editor were to be taken to task, it would be

for printing your letter, but then again, this is a free country

where we have freedom of the press and freedom of speech, and your

letter proves it.

KATHLEEN TRACY

Costa Mesa