Memorial fitting tribute to local vets

Last Sunday, the “Blue Star Memorial” was unveiled. It is a wonderful symbol for those of us who are spouses, parents or anyone who loves a military member in a war zone or in harm’s way in any foreign country.

I would like to thank Bess Kline and those who worked with her for their hard work in making this public memorial happen.

There is a misconception I would like to correct. My daughter-in-law and grandson were there to watch as her husband and brother-in-law, both my sons, along with two fellow members of the New Mexico Army National Guard posted the colors. An older woman told my daughter-in-law she was too young to be married to a veteran. She is wrong.

In my immediate family, my husband served in Vietnam in the U.S. Army and in Iraq with the NMANG. Two weeks before he deployed to Iraq, our youngest son, fresh out of basic training at 19, deployed to Iraq. After my husband returned from Iraq, both of our sons were deployed to Iraq and Kuwait 10 days apart — our youngest was 21, our oldest was 25. They are now both serving in the NMANG. Not only are they veterans, they are combat veterans.

Anyone who puts on the uniform of any branch of the military and serves their country for the length of time on the contract they sign is a veteran. Whether they serve overseas or never leave the U.S., whether they’ve been in war zones or swept floors, they are a veteran. They all deserve our respect and gratitude because they were and are willing to fight and protect us.

Glenice Jones

Clovis

Clovis needs more gas competition

I guess it doesn’t make any difference how often we inquire as to why gasoline prices in Clovis are higher than other places.

On Thursday, gas was 20 cents per gallon cheaper in San Jon than Clovis — and San Jon is off heavily traveled Interstate 40.

The only reason is Clovis has a lack of competition among our local retail gasoline distributors. Unfortunately we have to buy their high-priced fuel to get to work.  

We are one of the larger municipalities in New Mexico and there is no economic reason for fuel to cost more here than any other location in New Mexico or surrounding states.

Bill Bryant

Clovis

Bailout contributes to wasteful spending

Reading the latest editions of the “National Review” magazine and the Citizens Against Government Waste newspaper, “Waste Watch,” I am frustrated with our government’s inability to curb spending.

NR reports the U.S. government posted a $455 billion deficit for fiscal year 2008.

“Waste Watch” reports that, in the House of Representatives, eight times a vote came up to cut spending across the board by 1 percent — each time it failed to pass. Eight times a vote came up to cut spending across the board by one-half percent — each time it failed to pass. A vote came to cut spending across the board by one-quarter percent — it failed to pass. A vote came to cut spending across the board by .05 percent — it failed to pass.

And with the $700 billion bailout plan that was recently passed, the Democratic leadership wanting $300 billion more for another “stimulus package” and the president-elect’s plans of billions  more in spending over his four-year term in office, I’m afraid change won’t come in the way Congress handles our tax dollars.

Caleb Brandon

Clovis

Gas price difference raises questions

My wife and I were in Lubbock on Nov. 10.

Going through  Muleshoe we noticed regular gas was $1.88 per gallon.

Regular gas in Clovis was $2.29.

Why the big difference?

Max Kelso

Clovis