Letters to editor

Don Barnes 5-20-10

Dear Editor:

I am a life member of LeFlore County Chapter 63 of the Disabled American Veterans and also of the American Legion. I think I can safely say that I am writing this on behalf of the majority of the more than 5,000 military veterans in LeFlore County . If not them, then their children, brothers, sisters or other relatives who may be concerned about this issue.

The issue; the Cross that was put up in the Mojave Desert 80 years ago to honor the veterans of World War One and all veterans in the United States. It was challenged and the United States Supreme Court ruled that "it was not unconstitutional" and could not remain there.

Vandals stole it a week or so ago and there is a $100,000.00 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the ones who took it down.

In the meantime, the caretakers of that cross have, at their own expense had another cross exactly like the old one made to put up at that same site. The problem is; when they asked the federal government for permission to put the new one up in the exact same spot, the government denied them that permission.

All veterans, their families and anyone concerned about this issue need to contact our elected officials in Washington and demand that the government give them permission to put the cross back up.

The newspaper often prints the contact information for our elected officials in Washington, but, here it is again, for all needing it:

U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe
453 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone (202) 224-4721

U.S. Senator Tom Coburn
172 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone (202) 224-5743

Representative Dan Boren
216 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone (202) 225-2701

In addition, while you are at it, please ask them to do all within their power to "help us take back our country"!

Respectfully yours,

Don Barnes
Poteau, OK 74953