European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 13, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The stars and stripes a Page 11ann Landers a dear readers today is not just another sunday. It is special. Today is mothers Day. For weeks i have been on the Lookout for something appropriate that i might print to Honor the occasion. After an exhaustive search i concluded that nothing 1 had seen could compare with this column from the past. Dear mom i wish i could spend mothers Day with you but i can to so i am writing a letter and Hope that you will read it m Ann Landers column. Mom i love you so much. There Are so Many things that i did no to understand when i was Young but i understand them now. I did no to have any idea How hard you worked and the burdens you carried until i travelled that Road myself. 1 did no to know How rough it was when you were having trouble with dad and us kids but i know now. I did no to realize How lonely you were until i was lonely. I did no to realize How Hurt you were until i was Hurt the same Way by my own children. I did no to know How Many times i could have made you Happy by just saying a i love you  but now 1 know because those Are the words i Long to hear from my own kids. Whoever said a life is the greatest teacher of All a knew what he was talking about. When i was growing up we had More than our share of Battles. I remember How i thought you were too hard on me because you insisted that i keep my room neat turn off the to and do my Homework hang up my clothes do chores around the House and write thank you notes right away. You made me do a lot of things i did no to want to do. You said it was Good for my character. I  see the connection. I thought you were nuts. But now i have kids of my own i understand things a lot better. I am grateful that you did no to let me Wear you Down. Remembering your strength gives me strength to stand up to my own kids when they try to con me the Way i tried to con you. It seems like i found time for everything and everyone but you mom. It would have been easy to drop m for a cup of Tea and a hug but my friends came first. Would any of them have done for me what you did i doubt it. I remember the times you called on the phone and i was in a hurry to get off. It makes me ashamed. I remember too the times i could have included you when my Little family had outings but i did no to. It took me All my life to learn what a Mother is. I guess its impossible to know until you become a Mother yourself. Believe me now i know How rough you had it and How terrific you Are. Millions of people Are going to read this column today and they will see themselves. Some will feel uneasy and that Sok if they learn from it. Time has a sneaky Way of slipping away. We become so involved in getting from one Day to the next that before we know it the tomorrows Are yesterdays. I Hope this letter gives you an idea of How much i Admire and respect you mom. You really Are the greatest. A Anonymous dear writer in a glad you re  millions of moms Are going to think this letter was meant for them and that a just the Way i want it. C creators Syndicate Anonymous letter writers Are defended what a the big Deal if someone writes a letter to the stars and stripes and asks to have their name and or location withheld did this person Ever read the Ann Landers column that is usually Side by Side with the stars and stripes letters How Many of her letters include a name and location a lot of people say a a done to use my name and or City because it is a Small  the same goes for those of us living Here in Europe. Especially those of us at a Small base. If someone from a Small base complains about service at their bases clinic or Barber shop Etc., then everyone at that Small base will know who is being talked about after Reading the stars and stripes because there is Only one medical attendant Only one Barber Only one pick up Point clerk Etc. So it Isnit just for the Sake of the writer but sometimes for the Sake of others involved that they May wish to remain a name and location  sometimes giving a location is basically like signing your name or worse another involved party a name. When the problems being addressed Are general in nature and affect everyone Here in Europe who cares whether someone signed it or not the letters to the stars and stripes Are like suggestions in a Large suggestion Box. As Long As a majority of readers can Benefit from the questions of the writers and the answers Given by the editors that a most important. A name and location withheld i personally consider the letters to the editor Section of the newspaper an Extension of the ballot Box. I know that is not exactly True but close enough for me. And unless in a mistaken the editor wont print an unsigned letter but will withhold the name of the writer when requested. There Are Many times we wish our vote to be Anonymous and sending a letter to the editor of our local newspaper signed or not is just another Way of voting. So often people feel the need to support an Issue with out drawing undue attention to themselves. I think its great. What bothers me is that if you have your Way i would be denied the privilege of sharing opinions on issues deemed relevant by obviously concerned citizens unless written with signature affixed. On the other hand i commend this writer for participating in one of life a truly great freedoms the right to express your Point of View openly and without fear even if As in this Case i done to agree with you. A Jerry Robinson Karlsruhe West Germany As an no this writer should be Well aware of the fact that while . Servic members enjoy Many freedoms granted by our Constitution free speech is not one of them. Many of us hide our identities when speaking out for fear of recrimination. Let me pose this question to the writer suppose one of your soldiers wrote a letter questioning Why Good soldiers May be sacrificed in the troop cuts while others like his own Coic  even be wearing stripes. Of now be honest. Would you laugh the letter off Over morning Coffee would you ignore it would you Admire your subordinate for signing the letter with his name would this Soldier Ever get recommended by you for a promotion Board or a pass the stars and stripes letters column is one of the few places we can get our opinions heard and our questions answered. Perhaps if these Anonymous soldiers had leaders who were More open to their subordinates thoughts ideas and questions they would t be writing to the editorial editor identified As a next. 208�?� in the paper. Like those you have complained about i too prefer to remain Anonymous. But at risk of being labelled a a spineless a my name is any Soldier. My location Well i could be the person who stands behind you in formation. Or i could be the one standing in front. A name and location withheld a an commercials make an impression after Reading the letter about an commercials i must add my own comments. First i really enjoyed must admit i find myself singing the a commissary store song or the a four food groups song even the letter and i also enjoyed the Clever response. I if. _ a fou though i hate them what i do want to offer is a place to stay for spec. Bill Johnson that sad Guy who just can to seem to find housing. During the recent Mcaa tournament i Felt i a got to know Johnson since this and seemed to air quite often. If he could break from spit shining his boots perhaps we could look into this i do miss regular ads but i feel that the Caliper of Afna a ads have greatly improved since my first tour in Germany a old footage would prove me Correct. Back to the Point though lets get spec. Johnson a place to live a Dana Huffman Kaiserslautern West Germany i was so inspired by Herb Glover a poem that i put pen to paper and created some poetry of my own. 1 Call it a a Selling jobs been done a and it goes like this it looks As though we re programmed by Herb s copy note for note amazing How Well we remember we be Learned it All by Rote. His goal is to indoctrinate to give us the party line i think he has succeeded. It s with us All the time. When i can quote commercials and think of it As fun. I la rest my Case and fade to Black and end it All with a gun. A master sgt. Richard Dunn Raf Mildenhall England a Addis Ababa reunion set is Eri pals former students of the american Community school Addis Ababa Ethiopia will hold their second class reunion in Savannah Richmond Hill Gay a june 8-10. For information please Contact a Kris Schwab Epley acs reunion planning committee 21 Kelly Davis Road Richmond Hill a. 31324 i am 26 years old and like singing cooking and writing pen irions Carlita Mendez Magnao nor eco ii Dumaguet City Negros Oriental Philippines i would like to correspond with men and women overseas Phoebe c. Nyert. 3. Box 146-a Rocky mount a. 24151ike of and its european edition. Col. Gene e. Townsend Usan commander editor in chief a it. Col. Suzanne l. Phillips Usan Deputy commander editor in chief Marie Kominicki 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. Contents of the stars and stripes Are not necessarily the official views of or endorsed by the . Government the department of defense or the . European command. 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