European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 2, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The stars and stripes a Page 11 letters a racism has no place in . Military life Jefri Landers dear Ann Landers today i can think of nothing but what i Learned yesterday. I have a 10-year-old Niece my Sisters child whom i am no longer allowed to Contact. A a Wendy and i were very close. We spent weekends together. I took her to the Park and we had great times. I Learned yesterday that my Sisters Boyfriend who sexually abused Wendy for five years is out of prison. He was sentenced to a year in the workhouse for abusing this child and now my sister is taking that animal Back in her Home. She has told my Niece not to worry that everything will be of. Wendy was not Given any counselling when she was abused because her Mother said she was a just Fine and did no to need it. I testified against that awful Man which is Why my sister will not let me see or speak to the child. Wendy a father cannot see or speak to her either. Ann we Are not bad people. We Only tried to intervene when there was trouble in my Sisters Home. As a result my sister has shut us out of her life and deprived us of seeing that adorable child. How can i get my Niece out of that House what Are my rights i fear that the abuser will pick up where he left off. I feel hopeless and scared for Wendy. Please Tell me what to do. A no Way out in Minneapolis dear mils Alert the child a teacher the neighbors All family members anyone who has any Contact with Wendy. Urge them to get close to her to ask questions and encourage her to let them know immediately if that Man tries to get near her again. What about the caseworker what about the people who supplied the evidence to Send that animal away Contact the judge. Ask him or her How Wendy can be protected. What about the father has he considered getting a lawyer and trying for custody i beg you to be vigilant. Do everything within your Power to protect that child. Good Luck and keep me posted. Dear Ann Landers my brother who lives in another City was critically ill and i knew his death was imminent. I thought hard and Long about an appropriate final gift for that dear Man and decided that a dozen Long stemmed White roses with some delicate Fern and baby a breath in a milk White Case would be Beautiful. When we received word that he passed away i telephoned our local Florist and gave him the order. I cannot describe How i Felt when i walked into the mortuary and saw our Flowers among the Beautiful arrangements sent by others. They were in a vase that looked like a Canning Jar. The roses were Short stemmed and stuffed into that ugly vase with no greenery whatever. Please Ann print this letter and Tell me How to make sure this does no to happen again. A still upset in the Midwest dear Midwest Reader i called Solly Hammer at Ronsley a Florist in Chicago and this is what he said first rate florists have connections All Over the country. They will not take advantage of out of town customers and Send junk on the Assumption that the customer will never see the Flowers. I Hope you will clip this column out and Send it to the local Florist where you placed the order. You would be doing him a favor. C creators Syndicate for the five plus years that in be been assigned overseas in be religiously read your letters Page. Most of the time i have a Good laugh at the Petty complaints comments and questions posed by members of the military Community stationed in Europe. Occasionally 1 pick up some Good information. The letters that i fail to find funny informative or entertaining Are the ones concerning racism bigotry and prejudices. These letters make me sick i come from a northeastern inner City background and although introduced to racism at an Early age the incidents 1 witnessed growing up were few and far Between. Unfortunately since being assigned overseas in be witnessed More racism than 1 Ever knew existed. The racism in a talking about has nothing to do with the  attitudes of americans and europeans toward one another. It has to do with the  attitudes that americans have toward other americans. I wont go into detail about isolated incidents As we All have heard the racial comments so called jokes and Many of us have witnessed firsthand incidents that went too far. Does it have to be this Way when i was growing up the schools i attended taught me that America was made up from All the misfits of the world coming together to form a society where everybody would be equal where everybody would have a fair Opportunity to achieve. The constr with dismay and consternation i read your article titled a Navy cancels award for top Sailor in  i could not remain silent and permit my name utilized in an article that could be misinterpreted and construed As derogatory toward the Navy first of All in my entire naval career i have never seen the Navy do a 180-degree turn on decisions. The Navy assesses a situation and makes determinations based on the specific needs of the moment. May i explain. 1 was present in an incident that is currently under investigation and As such 1 May not comment on it. The position of the commander in chief of Una Veur Sailor of the year cannot be tainted by having the enlisted representative involved in an investigation. Adm. Jonathan t. Howe demonstrated resolve and determination when he opted to designate another candidate As Cincu Saveur Sailor of the year. I applaud his Quick reaction to a changing situation that a what makes him a Leader. This action was criticized because no justification was Given. In defense of adm. Howe i state that it was More important to him due to a pending investigation that he make no comment As such would Reju tuition of the United states guarantees Equality to a a ally americans. Our Job As americans military is to uphold and defend the Constitution. Its ironic that the very people defending the Constitution can to even live by its spirit. What i wonder is so hard about judging people by their actions As opposed to their color. Even Malcolm a whom most believe to be a racist he Wasny to said a i believe in recognizing every human being As a human being a neither White Black Brown or  so if you re a military member who practices any form of racism you should take a look at yourself and decide if the Constitution you re defending is something you actually believe in. Although proud to be an no representing the greatest nation on this planet i sometimes lose some of that Pride when i see ignorance in the form of racism carried out by my fellow service men and women. I know that some time in the near future ill pick up the stars and stripes and read a letter that will make me want to scream and re evaluate How proud i am to be part of Safe. Call me naive but i done to think it has to be this Way. If you re wondering what my ethnic background is it does no to matter. I just consider myself an american. . Trask Raf Mildenhall England Dice the presumption of innocence. Again i applaud his integrity and resolve. Secondly the article insinuated that i single hand edly transformed my unit into a Sharp Well disciplined organization. To this 1 say the Navy is a team and it is through team Effort that changes Are brought about. There Are those individuals who distinguish themselves by being examples and providing models to be emulated. There Are individuals who Are the catalyst for a wealth of potential already existing in the Navy team and As such elevate the standards of performance to noticeable Levels. These individuals Are recognized As leaders in programs such As Sailor of the Quarter and Sailor of the year. Seldom with the exception of acts of heroism do individuals act alone a that is one of the great precepts of Navy work. I congratulate Petty officer 1st class George r. Heider in his selection As Cincu Saveur Sailor of the year. Petty officer Heider is of the highest Caliper of integrity and dedication with a proven performance record. The enlisted Cincu Saveur Community could not be better represented. As for me i say a Damn the torpedoes full Speed  a Petty officer 1st class Arnaldo Centeno or. Nea Makri Greece pen pals t would Tike to have friends abroad. My hobbies include Reading dancing listening to music and collecting Stamps. I am f4 years old. A Marilou 0. Cast Artos 250 . Cero St. Oak it san Francisco Southern Leyte Philippines i am 19 years old. My hobbles include watching videos listening to Good music dancing and coi a acting coins. A Marilou Angeles 321 5th St. Marisol Village Angeles City c-2009 Philippines i am 19 years old and i would like to have pen pals. A Nancy Clarito pm 6 Purok Seaside Tanguy Bacolod City Philippines i am a 27-Ysar-old sri lankan. My hobbies include stamp collecting Coin collecting and travelling. In. Hettiarachi Cal soc flight line . To 753 Dhahran #31932, saudi Arabia i would like to have pen pals in other countries t am 17 years old Ana my hobbies include cooking hiking and music. A Jil Arla Lourdes a Llanera Purok Cosmos to culling Bacolod City 6100, Philippines my interests include listening to All kinds of music Reading mystery novels watching movies gardening cooking and stamp collecting. I am 24 years old. A Lindy Alcala co de Luchas Milrose Road Cai Andagan Dumaguet City 6200, Philippines i am a 17-year-old jamaican. My hobbies Are listening to music dancing Reading writing and playing scrabble. A Cheryl Stewart Victoria District St. Catherine Jamaica i am 17 years old and i enjoy going to discos parties and the Cinema. I also enjoy playing volleyball and Tennis. A Katherine Thomas 32 Spring Bourne Frodsham Cheshire wa6 6qd England i feel sure there Are Many people like Mysell who Are lonely and need a Friend to write to. I am a divorced British Secretary. A Elaine Parkhurst 171 Humber Road Essex England a writer explains Navy switch on award european edition col. Gene e. Townsend Usan commander editor in chief it. Col. Suzanne l. Phillips Usan Deputy commander editor in chief Marie kominick1 Mert Proctor Deane b. Mcdermott production manager managing editor circulation manager this newspaper is an authorized unofficial publication for members of the military services overseas. 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