Letters from Judy Jung and Domenico DiToro
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   Thanks for great paper

 I have been reading and enjoying Flagstaff Tea Party for the past year. I usually agree with about 90 percent of the viewpoints expressed by you and your writers. The other 10 percent that I may not agree with only goes to show that in any human endeavor (even your fine newspaper) perfection is impossible.

Reading the letters section in your January issue, I am angry and disappointed to see ignorant people resorting to the use of foul language in expressing their views. I must assume that they are too stupid to know any other language than the four-letter-word variety. You showed courage and integrity in printing the readers' comments — offensive though they were.

Thanks for a great paper, and enclosed is my subscription/ contribution for the year.

Domenico DiToro
   Flagstaff

 Vets deserve what was promised

 Disabled American Veterans do not get some, most or all of their retirement pay!  The DAV's retirement pay is deducted dollar for dollar for every disability dollar they receive. In a nutshell, they are paying for their own disability — a disability they would not have had had they chosen not to serve their country but do a "regular" job instead.

     Retirement and disability are two different items, yet Congress years ago enacted a law to not pay vets both benefits so disabled veterans continue, year after year, to be cheated out of what is rightfully theirs — their retirement pay.

     If you are thinking of the military as a career, think twice! The military is not informing young, career-minded soldiers that if they end up crippled, lose arms or legs or eyes, are burn victims, etc., their retirement pay will be reduced by the amount of their disability pay.

     Congress' actions suggest that disabled vets with 20 years or more spent protecting their country is worth nothing, except to have their lifestyle altered, often severely, for the rest of their lives!

Another thing most families don't realize is that once the vet is disabled it affects the entire family, and friends too.  Perhaps they can no longer dance with their spouse, or play ball with their children or hike with their friends.  Everyone is affected, not just the vet.

Last year Congress finally enacted a bill that the DAVs should get their due concurrent pay — but Congress did not allot budget funds so as yet, the enactment is stagnant, worthless.

     Attorney General John Ashcroft's office issued word that they do not approve of the concurrent payment.  Why?  Retirement pay was a benefit promised the veterans. Are they waiting for most of the DAVs to die off so they don't have to pay them at all?

     This is a sad way to treat our Disabled American Veterans and their families. You've seen them in wheel chairs, armless, or legless.  Some of them so gently quiet — they often don't make a loud voice so we have to shout for them.  Have you been to a veteran's hospital to visit these brave men and women whose lifestyle is diminished to a life in a hospital ward? These Veterans have sacrificed their lives for us.  So why does our government not give them what is due them?

     So, 9/11 families, widows, widowers, children, all — don't hold your breath.  The government death benefits now being bounced around may have the same effect for you, too.  Sure it all sounds good, but Congress has yet to put the money where their mouth is. Could it just be about looking good come election time?  Promises, promises ...  Let's hope and shout for due compensation for those promised and those deserving of it.

Judy Jung
Flagstaff