MAILBAG - Sept. 28, 2006

A thanks for stepping in to help Marine

My daughter, a captain in the Marines from Camp Pendleton, recently received “emergency” orders to return to Iraq on her second tour. She has two cats and did not know what to do with them. It would have cost a small fortune to have a specialized company ship them here to Maine.

A friend, not far from Camp Pendleton, mentioned my daughter’s quandary to her own veterinarian, Tom Irwin of Newport Beach. He immediately said that he would take the cats and care for them while she was overseas, free of charge, in gratitude for my daughter’s service to her country.

Irwin is not seeking recognition or adulation for doing what he thought was the right thing to do. However, I want to publicly thank him for his selfless action, which took a great deal of stress off my daughter’s shoulders as she prepared to ship out.

As a former West Coast Marine, I know what it’s like to get ready to ship out. There are myriad things to do and a short time to get them done — all this while going through additional training. So a person who would step up and help in some way is a benefit to the military, and shows what it is to be an American; therefore, is also a benefit to the country.

I am sure there are many Americans who do selfless things for our military personnel that we never hear about, but I do want to recognize and want his community to recognize Irwin’s actions.

PATRICK HAYES

Hampden, Maine

Columnist not sending best message back home

It seems just a bit odd that the Pilot would print a piece by one of its columnists boasting about freeloading around Italy for months (Restless Native). Likewise, why boast about lying even about small matters (“A ticket home and some ticket trouble,” Sept. 8)? Isn’t this simply trivializing honesty and truth?

Erin Kennedy indicates that the practice of using public transportation without paying is common practice in Naples, but does that justify it? Does it serve the common good? No, and in fact if everyone rode without paying, the system would no doubt collapse.

Does frankly admitting to, no, bragging about lying, present a positive image and one the Pilot wishes to promote? No, I don’t think so. Yes, it may be entertaining, cute and no big deal, but sorry, cheating and lying in small matters can dull the conscience, sets a bad example and does nothing to inspire trust in others.

ILA JOHNSON

Costa Mesa

Columnist is right about abandoning incumbents

I often find myself in disagreement with Steve Smith’s strongly held opinions. This time, however, I could not agree more (“Union right to abandon incumbents,” On the Town, Sept. 20). It is time for some changes on our school board!

With all due thanks to Serene Stokes and Judy Franco for their years of service, I am looking forward to seeing some new ideas and fresh energy on the board. I plan to support Karen Yelsey and Loretta Zimmerman in the upcoming election. Both are intelligent, creative, hard-working women with high integrity. Both have extensive, recent experience with Newport-Mesa Unified schools and issues. Let’s give change a chance!

JEAN DONNELLY

Newport Coast

Police department shows colors with endorsements

It doesn’t say a whole lot about the Costa Mesa Police Department when they can’t even back up an Orange County Sheriff’s deputy who is trying to clean up our great city. Mayor Allan Mansoor still and will always have my vote.

CLARK CHAPMAN

Costa Mesa