Proper name for high school
Editor:
Veterans Memorial High School has a nice ring to it. So does Veterans Memorial International Bridge at Los Tomates; the latter was modified to the current Veterans Bridge at Los Tomates.
Why? Almost a decade ago when the Cameron County Commissioners Court was preparing to open the new bridge, the highly esteemed citizen, historian and veteran Bruce Aiken attended a public planning workshop to discourage the use of “memorial” in the title.
He was technically right. A memorial is typically used to designate a building, park or other space in remembrance of a deceased person or people. In this case, the intent is probably to honor those brave men and women who made the sacrifice of service to our national defense, many who are back home today.
That is why we observe two separate holidays, Memorial Day and Veterans Day!
Let’s embrace what is appropriate in this case, even if those who are charged with overseeing this project have to make some last-minute changes.
On behalf of our local military veterans, the school’s future alumni and Brownsville’s citizens, let’s inaugurate BISD’s $62
million Veterans High School with a name that follows a time-honored tradition, academic correctness, and a proud
representation that will garner positive notice.
Robert S. Mendoza
U.S. Navy
Landstuhl, Germany
Via the Internet
Glad to see rep’s health care vote
Editor:
How wonderful to see support of House health care reform (HR 3962) by Rio Grande Valley congressmen. Passage of the bill was a long, hard struggle, but their work succeeded.
Rep. Solomon Ortiz was there for us all the way. Through his efforts we may hope for much-needed improvement in the health care industry.
We owe Congressman Ortiz a vote of thanks; I recommend putting it in the ballot box for him next election.
Charles Richardson
Brownsville
Via the Internet
