Veterans’ stories of service illustrate the value and strength of American diversity | Opinion

Hope for fractured world

Veterans Day offers a beacon of hope in a world marred by divisions.

As a Marine Corps infantry veteran who served from 2000-2004, I’ve witnessed the healing power of sharing one’s military journey, of bonding over shared sacrifices and of bridging divides.

In our country, division often feels like the status quo; however, my time in the Marines showed me a different truth.

Side by side, we served, laughed, and fought, regardless of differences in skin color, politics, or beliefs. We epitomized the diversity that is America.

Veterans Day is a reminder that unity is possible. Through veterans’ stories, we find understanding, empathy, and unity.

This day is more than a holiday; it’s a moment for dialogue and acknowledgment of the challenges veterans face.

In a fractured world, we must remember that our distinctions do not define us.

Inspired by the patriotism and strength of servicemen and women from all walks of life, we can find hope.

As our state motto proclaims, “Dum spiro spero”—while I breathe, I hope. Happy Veterans Day weekend.

Robert LeHeup, Columbia

Let teachers be the experts

Please listen to our highly-trained professional teachers, librarians and school staff, many of whom have earned master’s degrees from legitimate programs.

They engage directly with the students themselves.

School teachers and librarians are in tune with students and what reading materials they need. Let qualified, trained professionals select what books and other reading materials will be used. Books of fantasy by authors such as Roald Dahl offer delightful reading at age-appropriate levels. Dahl is often called the number one story teller in the world.

Do not ban his books.

Let the people actually teaching reading to their classes – who are guiding writing instruction

and encouraging our future leaders, workers, and professionals – decide which materials are appropriate.

If a car’s brakes need repair, drivers want a certified brake technician to do the job.

A licensed, professional dentist cares for teeth.

A trained and licensed pharmacist fills prescriptions.

Parents likewise must insist on having fully-trained and certified education professionals deciding what is the best reading materials for students.

It is fundamentally basic to public schools’ success.

My years as both a high school English teacher and a school librarian testify to it.

Elizabeth Jones, M.Ed., Columbia

Unhappy with dress codes

I feel that the dress code in the Lexington School District 2 in West Columbia gets in the way of students’ learning environment.

However students feel a need to express themselves is their choice.

As long as the student shows up for school and is showing they want to be there, why should what they wear hinder their chance to learn?

Although there is a need for restrictions on what can be shown on a student’s body, such as nudity, I believe as long as a student’s clothing choices respect others and are not offensive or heavily showy, they should be allowed.

So, if I, or any other student, wants to come to school with a little stomach showing, or even a little shoulder, we should be allowed to, especially since dress codes tend to affect female students more than male students.

I like to say if my parents let me come to school like that, then it shouldn’t bother the teachers.

Kaylah Williams, West Columbia

Unhappy Tiger

As a long time reader of the State newspaper, I’ve finally gotten fed up with your lack of coverage of Clemson football enough to write and complain.

There are probably as many or more Clemson fans in this area as there are USC fans. And yet the Tuesday, Nov. 7 edition has only one short paragraph about Clemson.

I guess we need to start taking the Greenville News to get adequate coverage.

Shep Rustin (Clemson class of 1967), Columbia