1 week Ago By Chicago Tribune
It’s understandable that Gov. JB Pritzker is disappointed in the presidential election results given his reliance on the left and progressive organizations to get elected. And it was easy to predict Kamala Harris would win Illinois.
I like Pritzker, even if I disagree with his taste for progressive policies. He demonstrates common sense by refusing to fund the Chicago Teachers Union’s demands and a new Bears stadium. I agree with his pro-abortion rights position.
And he was a decisive leader during the pandemic, even if he went too far with state mandates. But Pritzker should back off his progressive chest pounding. Forty-five percent of state voters who cast ballots voted for Donald Trump and against progressive policies that have burdened Illinois for a long time.
That’s a lot of people. Read the room, Governor. — John Kavouris, Naperville Our governor’s recent comments about protecting all who come to Illinois was revealing in so many ways.
His tough stance after Donald Trump’s resounding win makes me think that he has national plans. His was not a call for unity nor a reflection of what the Democrats could change to become more relevant to the country. Perhaps Pritzker doth protest too much and is a little tone-deaf so soon after Trump’s win.
— Sue Atkenson, Frankfort Gov. JB Pritzker shouldn’t be playing the tough guy. Lee Marvin, he’s not.
Instead, Pritzker should take note of Illinois voters’ 45% vote total for Donald Trump. And ask the president-elect how Illinois can help ease the country’s transition during Trump’s second term. It’s time the governor turn the page, put the last four years of negativity behind us, and move Illinois and the country forward.
— Bruce R. Hovanec, Chicago My friend Charlie died earlier this year at the age of 99. He was a senior at Lane Tech high school in 1941 when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “Day of Infamy” speech was broadcast nationwide, heralding the country’s entrance into World War II.
His life, like many others, would change dramatically. An Army infantryman, Charlie fought in the largest and bloodiest battle of the war, the Battle of the Bulge. As his unit approached the combat theater near Bastogne, Belgium, a lone lieutenant driving a jeep approached from the opposite direction.
“Sir,” Charlie asked, “where is your unit?” His face expressionless, the lieutenant replied, “They’re all dead.” This battle — crucial to the defeat of German forces — was fought in densely forested terrain in freezing temperatures. As his unit moved east, Charlie was one of two soldiers assigned to locate terrain open enough to establish satellite transmissions for a line company desperately in need of artillery support.
The success and bravery of this mission in the midst of active combat earned him the Bronze Star. Following Nazi surrender, Charlie’s unit drove past the newly liberated Buchenwald concentration camp, where the troops witnessed bodies piled high and the “living skeletons” of those barely alive. “The stench,” he told me, closing his eyes, perhaps remembering something he wished he could forget.
Charlie was a serious student of history. One way to honor him is to share his admonition to learn history’s lessons, even when uncomfortable, and to seek truth, even when inconvenient. Charlie’s generation witnessed a charismatic, authoritarian leader create hell on earth.
He retained horrific snapshot memories of the Holocaust’s sickening brutality. Charlie risked his life to communicate key battle information. Now, a generation later, disinformation — pervasive and dangerous — threatens to disrupt our political system and the very democracy that Charlie fought to preserve.
At the time of Charlie’s death, Congress was dawdling over providing assistance to Ukraine. Had he the chance, I suspect he would have cautioned us to read about how Germany’s annexation of Austria in 1938 and the failed Munich Agreement led to unspeakable disaster, and to reflect on how today’s situation in Eastern Europe could very well mirror the past. This Veterans Day, I will be thinking of Charlie and the others who so bravely defended democracy, and I will pray that maybe — just maybe — the lessons from those brave soldiers will not be forgotten or ignored.
— Ann Bidwell, retired Navy captain, Round Lake I’m a veteran. I’m not proud of the fact that I was involved with killing a millions people during the Vietnam War. I cringe when people say, “Thank you for your service.
” To me, they’re saying thank you for death and destruction. If you want to thank me, thank me for what I do now — work for justice and peace. I’m drawn to Nov.
11 because it was originally called Armistice Day. After the massive carnage of World War II, it was clear that the slaughtering of humans had to stop. Congress declared Nov.
11 to be a day focused on bringing the nation and the world together “with appropriate ceremonies expressive of our gratitude for peace and our desire for the continuance of friendly relations with all other peoples.” This No. 11, I’ll be with other veterans and progressives who want to reclaim Armistice Day.
We’ll be at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Chicago. Our focus this year is on the genocide happening in Gaza and on stopping U.S.
weapons shipments and support for Israel’s aggression. The event is free and open to all who are working for and/or desirous of justice and peace. Return Veterans Day to its origin.
Reclaim Armistice Day and attend this veteran-led event. — Arnold Stieber, Chicago On Veterans Day, we honor all our heroes who have served in the military. We should be honoring them every day because without their dedication and sacrifice to our country, we might not enjoy the freedom we enjoy today.
Let us reflect on their sacrifices so that we understand that our freedom comes with a personal price. To serve, veterans willingly left their families and the many joys of being together. They often would miss Christmas, Easter and the birth of their children.
They fought on the ground, in the air and at sea. They served in the jungles and desert, in bunkers and tents, and in the mountains and on the shores of distant lands. They had their bodies damaged while the perils of war have remained hauntingly in their memories.
Veterans have stood tall and saluted our flag and were willing to serve beneath our flag. Their coffins have too often been draped with our flag. And while not all veterans see war, all who serve in the military are willing to fight if called to.
Veterans did all of this and more to protect our democracy, our freedom and our way of life. Veterans have given us a chance to live in peace and freedom and to look forward to tomorrow. This is why Veterans Day is dedicated to honoring the courage, dedication and sacrifices made by the men and women who have served in the armed forces.
It is a time to remember the tremendous contributions of our veterans and to express our profound gratitude for their unwavering commitment to protecting our freedoms. If you love your freedom, thank a veteran. May God bless America, our veterans and all of you.
— Mike Formento, commander, American Legion Post 3, Glen Ellyn Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email [email protected] ..
