Veterans Day
Col. James D. Brady Camp #63 of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War will hold a Veterans Day or remembrance day ceremony at 11 a.m. Friday at the West Point Cemetery in Norfolk. It is of particular importance that this location was chosen as this January will mark the 160th anniversary of the issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 and helps in supporting the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War’s goal of marking the contributions and sacrifices made by the men and women of the United States Colored Troops during and after the war.
The cemetery is the final resting place of 58 United States Colored Troops soldiers and sailors, and we felt that it was time to honor those who answered the Union’s call. I anticipate that this will be a small event as there are other ceremonies, parades, etc., in the general area and you might have already made commitments to them, but if you are free on Friday, please join us then. Visit norfolk.gov/facilities/Facility/Details/52 to find out more about the cemetery.
Tim Ahlgrim, commander, Col. James D. Brady Camp #63 of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Portsmouth
Honor them
Veterans Day is a day set aside to express respect for veterans who have served our country. There will be many ceremonies and events to honor and remember their service. One of the events is The Reading of The Names at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that is conducted in person every five years when all 58,300-plus names of those men and women “who gave all” are read aloud by volunteers.
The event began on Monday and concludes at midnight Thursday.
If you know any veterans, thank them.
Kenneth Paulson, Norfolk
Thank you
I write to thank each person who has stood as a candidate in this election. You have given me choices for my vote. I disagree vehemently with some of your positions, but I respect your willingness to become a public servant. Thank you for taking on the stressful work of political campaigning.
Also, I am grateful for the voter registrars and their staffs, and officers of elections who make voting possible. You’ve had a really rough time this election with new laws taking effect and a last minute load of registrations to process while you’ve also been managing early voting. I know you are committed to the integrity of our elections, and I hope everyone who voted in person said “thank you” because you’ve surely earned our thanks this year.
Lastly, thank you, voters. Each vote is a brick helping to construct government by the people. Even when we are sharply divided on what we want government to do, our votes are a testament of faith in representative government.
Carolyn Caywood, Virginia Beach
Entrepreneurship
Viewpoints
Re “Pharrell’s Mighty Dream Forum gives Black startups a platform — and $2.5 million: ‘I finally felt seen and heard.’” (Nov. 4): Congratulations to Pharrell Williams for supporting and promoting the growth of entrepreneurship for minorities. This has been a platform of conservatives for many years. One of the largest increases of minority-owned businesses was in 2007 after the years of Republican control of Congress and under the presidency of George W. Bush.
I am happy to see people taking control of their own destiny in spite of others attempting to control their lives. Conservatives support the strong capitalist sense of entrepreneurship for all Americans and the independent organization of business growth that Williams is initiating. Economic freedom is the pathway to increased freedom to enjoy the American dream of opportunity.
My father had a third-grade education from another country, began work as a dishwasher in this country and retired from owning his own restaurant, and sent both of his sons to college. He loved America and the opportunities that it offers for those willing to make a better life for themselves. It wasn’t easy for him and our mother, but that made it all the more precious. I applaud and support Williams’ efforts to help others realize the American dream.
Paul Michael, Virginia Beach
Traffic issues
The traffic lights in Virginia Beach are terribly inefficient. Left turn green arrows activate with no one in the left turn lane. Left turn green arrows are sometimes way too short with the complete line of traffic not getting through. Green lights stay green way too long with no cars going through the intersection, and cars lined up in the opposite direction waiting their turn.
Driving home late from a friend’s house one night with no traffic on the road, the light I approached turned red with not a single car waiting in the opposite direction. It’s extremely frustrating. I’m sure there are great engineers and very nice people in the traffic department in Virginia Beach. However, this is 2022, and I’m also sure there have to be better ways to keep traffic flowing smoothly in this great city.
Keith Berenguer, Virginia Beach