Dear Editor, I live off Dunne Avenue, but I
’m an Okie. I graduated from Enid (Oklahoma) High School, Class
of 1947. Then a Korean War Marine, then a university graduate, with
B.A. and M.A. degrees with work on a Doctorate. In 1957, I left my
hometown of Enid, Okla.
Dear Editor,
I live off Dunne Avenue, but I’m an Okie. I graduated from Enid (Oklahoma) High School, Class of 1947. Then a Korean War Marine, then a university graduate, with B.A. and M.A. degrees with work on a Doctorate. In 1957, I left my hometown of Enid, Okla.
I have been in California for 47 years. In September, our family celebrated the 50th wedding anniversary of my wife, Joanne, and me. On my mother’s side, my great-grandfather was a Civil War officer in the New York militia, my grandfather came from New York with family money in 1896 and established banks in three northern Oklahoma towns.
My father’s family heritage began in Georgia and during the Civil War my great-grandfather, a member of the Confederate 33rd Mississippi, was wounded, mini ball to the thigh, captured by the Army of the Cumberland, suffered leg amputation and died in August 1864. His widow brought her family of four sons to Louisiana. One son, my grandfather journeyed to Sutherland Springs, Texas, where my father was born. These people were southern Democrats.
Uncle, grandmother, father, mother and me. Grandmother and uncle, Republican. Mother and father, Democrat. But, in those days in the 30s and 40s, most everyone that I knew was Democrat. There was no great divide; no schism. Just minor differences.
I grew up. Joined the Marines. Experienced the Korean War as a Marine machine-gunner, wounded, served my enlistment and returned to Enid. Then, married, I earned college degrees.
Today, politics are neither like they were in the 40s nor like they were in my hometown, where middle ground was accepted. Nationally, Democrats have swarmed to the idiotic liberal fringe with Kerry, Edwards, Gore, Dean and Michael Moore. Find here the leaders of the way, way out left.
Eighty percent of the military, former, active and retired believe Kerry is a pompous opportunist and support Bush. As a Marine in Korea, I was wounded by mortar shrapnel. I spent a week in the hospital to check for infection. I have a Purple Heart.
Kerry with three Purple Hearts only spent a total of two hours at the hospital for scratches. I have seen real heroes in action. I don’t consider Kerry’s medals worthy.
Now, let’s not forget that Kerry aligned himself with Jane Fonda and, to my mind, traitorous acts during the Viet-Nam war.
I trust a Texan. I believe that by taking the terrorists on in Iraq, Bush created an attraction. Just like a light attracts moths, Iraq attracts terrorists from all Muslim countries. So, we have been fighting there instead of here for the last three years.
I certainly will support a known commodity rather than an non-tested, wishy-washy opportunist.
Burton Anderson, Morgan Hill
