Letters to the Editor: 03.27.97
Diet Coke
Montauk
March 18, 1997
To The Editor:
Coca-Cola and I grew up together. When we were kids in the Bronx before World War II, we ordered cherry coke from our corner candy store.
When we got to high school, we felt very grown up and ordered lemon coke.
On prom night we ordered our first Cuba Libre (rum and coke) and then went out into the world working for the Yankee dollar.
Now we order Diet Coke.
GERALDINE MANZARE
Symbol Of Destruction
Springs
March 20. 1997
Dear Helen:
The morning of March 18, I was traveling to Southampton from my home at Old Fireplace. Just after the turnoff for the airport, my eye was drawn to activity at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post. An East Hampton Town Highway Department payloader was pulling the vets' newly acquired M60A30 World War II armored tank onto its recently poured perch. Standing around were a half dozen or so men dressed in army fatigues and hats; they were obviously delighted that their tank (a symbol of destruction) was finally being set in place.
I stopped back later to get a closer look and a few photos. While there, another Highway Department truck stopped. The driver and his associate climbed aboard to have a good look. Undoubtedly there are a number of veterans and many from the younger generation who are thrilled to have such a piece of armor available to climb on, ponder, and fantasize about. I am not one of them.
I volunteered for the Army during the Korean War to get it out of the way and to escape from college for a few years. Fortunately, I never had to face frontline duty. I, too, have been intrigued with the complexities of war machines, and yet I was appalled by our ability to destroy enemy tanks during the Gulf War. Witnessing that war on television was like watching a Hollywood movie where special-effects people make destruction look like fun. Only this time we destroyed tanks with single rockets, and lives were lost at a horrible rate. If the tables were turned, it could be the lives of our men and women.
But now war has given way to peaceful negotiations. Acts of war are being avoided. Just when we are beginning to learn the importance of negotiation in lieu of bullets, it is grossly inappropriate to showcase a symbol of destruction as a celebration of our ability to make and win wars. Surely those who have served our nation in times of war and peace deserve to be commended. They, in their way, must and should be allowed to celebrate their achievements. But in a time of prolonged peace we do not need the symbol of a tank with its gun turret poised down the highway to shock us back to memories when we could only kill or be killed in order to preserve our democracy. There are more appropriate monuments to courage, valor, and life given for one's country.
Installing an armored tank along a highway traveled by thousands seeking asylum from the rigors of work and city life is the most inappropriate act any organization could inflict on its community. How the Town Board could approve a variance for a symbol that is such an affront to the community is difficult to comprehend. This board appears in every other instance to champion the beauty and quality of our town, yet, in this single act, has done much to undo what has been accomplished elsewhere.
Then, adding insult to injury, the town used taxpayers' money - our public money - to propel this tank to its new throne. It is an affront to every peace-loving citizen to be confronted with that tank.
Many men of distinction, of this and neighboring towns, are heavily invested in seeing this symbol raised high on its newly poured foundation. All seem thrilled at the sight of this complex piece of weaponry. They are even planning to invite the children of the neighboring elementary schools to view its interior before sealing it, as required by law. But have they thought through the full implications of mounting this armored tank, a symbol of our ability to destroy life, at the gateway of our beloved town?
Sincerely yours,
RAYMOND H. HARTJEN, Ph.D.
A Jewel
Montauk
March 19, 1997
Dear Editor:
As I sat in my car across the street from the Snug Harbor Motel in Montauk watching Dick Cavett's house burn, the sense of frustration was overwhelming. The flames were shooting incredibly high, and the black smoke was thick and rolling. Others joined in watching, and we felt awed by the power of the fire and our inability to help. It was almost like watching someone die.
A Montauk resident said on the news that evening that the house was a jewel that was forever lost. So true. Mr. Cavett is a jewel also. I think we all like knowing that he and his wife live in our community and have been so supportive of it.
We are terribly sorry about the loss of his beautiful home. We wish there was something we could do to help.
Sincerely,
SONIA H. GAVIOLA
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