opinion

Our Readers Write County Mourning; County Colors TnTho _ ¥ The Editor:

On March 7, a letter was written to Cape May County , Facilities and Services, under the direction of Freeholder Ralph Evans, in regards to the proper flying of the American flag over county grounds and buildings It is the purpose of the American Legion Auxiliary to promote Americanism and the proper flying of the American flag is an important step in that direction. y The American Legion code on "Flag Etiquette" reads in part: ^ "When should the Flag be at half-staff?" "The Flag is half-staffed on Memorial Day, from sunrise until noon^it is displayed at full-staff from noon until sunset." "SINCE THE FLAG symbolizes the nation, it should be half-staffed only in cases where it is appropriate to indicate that the nation mourns and then customarily by proclamation of the President of the United States." "When it is desired to show that a state, city, club, large industry, or a society mourns, then the state, city, club, industry or society flag or banner should be half-staffed or dressed in crepe." The letter and a copy of the Flag Code was sent to the

county Facilities and Services Department in order to bring to their attention proper flag etiquette. Many young people tour our county building each year and we feel we should be setting a good example. PROPER RESPECT is shown individual "service persons" at services held for them with flag draped coffins, firing squad, and honorguard. at the request of the family. The county colors may be flown at half-staff if the county wishes to express mourning. The President of the United States orders the cdlors at half-staff is a symbol of national mourning. Evans was correct in asking the Board of Chosen Freeholders for guidance on county flag policy. It is the hope of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 331 that the board shall see fit to reconsider and comply with the Flag Etiquette Code in the future. MARIAN E. HORNSBY President Stephen C. Ludlam Unit 331 American Legion Auxiliary ROBERT J. HAFELE Past Commander American Legion Post 331 Stone Harbor

American, County Flags Together

To*The Editor: To the spokesperson of the Stone Harbor American Legion Auxiliary who wished not to be identified: How dare you try to tarnish the memory of my husband, James W. Parker, Cape May County Undersheriff You don't have the courage of your convictions nor the dedica ti°n to your country for the organization you belong to. To set the record straight, James W Parker was a World War II veteran having served eight years in the Marine Corp as Master Gunnery Sergeant. As a member of Carlson's Raiders, he fought battles in Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian. He was awarded two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star Medal and three Presidential Citations with Bronze Stars for combat in the South Pacific. Team Effort To The Editor: The Ca?>e May Court House Neighborhood Association has just had its first Country Craft Fair and Flea Market. The event was a tremendous success due in part to the cooperative efforts of local businessmen and most impor tantly to the people who came and enjoyed a wonderful weekend browsing through a myriad of wares. Our "Step Back in Time," a walking tour of some of the older homes in Court House, was made possible by the lovely people who graciously opened their homes to the public. The ambiance of these stately houses attracted a number of interesting folks from far and wide. The overwhelming support that we received from the business community and the neighborhood is heartening and we are appreciative. A democracy takes team effort and the Neighborhood Association represents the people as their needs arise Our first venture was very successful and through the continued efforts of our friends we can continue in our worthwhile endeavors. Susan B. Karaso Co-Chairman Cape May Court House Neighborhood Association f'tl f raiii -v Lantern]) l^tHllfci I f-umry *»«■„<»» By TK. htMv. Corporxla* r.O. ■— 4M C*p* H»y Cort Ho—. N.J. OCtlO Joseph R. Zelnik Editor I » Bonnie Reina General Manager z Gary L. Rudy Advertising Director c John Dunwoody Special Promotions Director < Darrell Kopp Publisher s v Co»p_ All ..flN, '•*••••<! AH property lot lh« of rh., - pvbkMA «l Ai ol 1*4 Cwp No po" Xe'eol "a, be 'ft»'odv»d ' . DEADLINES News & Photos Thursday Advertising Friday — 3 P.M. g Classified Advertising Friday — 3 P.M. (l 465-5055 For News or Advertising Information "**" *" ■" n ^ f J | CAPE MAY fU fUralft-IHsjiatrf \ \ NkW m4 Eawy WoU..<.y By T*« hmN CorportUm / r.O ■— C Mat C— rt Ho—. HJ 8M10 yf H

He served 13 years as a lieutenant in the State Police in the Justice Department in the State of Pennsylvania, five years on the Lower Township Police force and as fraud investigator for the Cape May County Welfare Board before joining the Sheriff's Department. HOW CAN YOU DENY this honor to him who has dedjeated his life, time and effort for the betterment of his country and community? It's sad when an auxiliary of such an organization has so much to say when they never served their country or county for one day. Thank God our freeholders, especially Director Gerald Thornton, aren't as biased as you. The American and county flags fly together at eight county locations. It would be impossible to lower one without the other. The lowering of these colors has been a Cape May County tradition for 150 years and no one .complained until now. I'm sorry for you that your cynical attitude makes this tribute to a deserving person disturb you so much. When you find yourself in my position, I hope you receive more compassion than criticism. HELEN PARKER North Cape May

i— Gettysburg— Here where I stand the grass is green, The stately trees give shade To multitudes of granite stones That mark where boys were laid; : f , M And here the peaceful shadows stretch Across the quiet ground That once convulsed in agony Beneath the cannon's sound. Beyond that rock on yonder slope A blue clad boy once lay, His rifle trained in deadly aim Upon a boy in grey ; Across the field from Spangler's Spring A boy from Maine lay sprawled, * Leaving a wavering crimson line Where lately he had crawled; The gufis long since are silenced That overlook each hill, The shrine of peace glows through the night A symbol of goodwill. Have faith then though the conflicts rage Ten thousand rimes as great Though men are on the march again Consumed by fear and hate; That stretching out beyond the years A world united stands Where men will cherish peace above The conquest of new lands. I ^ By Viney Endicott ^

-The Solution: a Race Track The Problem: Flabby Dogs By JOE ZELNIK struct a track, grandstand, clubhouse, etc Dubuque Iowa just built one. th^ nation s 45th, for $6.5 million. The problem of dogs unable to carry home our heavy sum- As an ancillary benefit, the county's new Dolicv of sDend mer wl,,,ons remains. jng up to IV, percent of construction for "the fine arts" I regret that our unenlightened management (they have should keep some local artists from starving bumper stickers saying "BIG IS BETTER" i was mildly The profit from parimutuel betting would go to the councntical of my promise last week to reduce the size of the ty and benefit ail taxpayers. paper after I^bor Day They told me to retract it. or pack Dozens of jobs would be created: laborers, ticket sales "?»»*■ . . traffic control, parking attendants, food service ( human and So I must renege on that pledge and offer a different solu- canine), etc. lion. If the paper can't become thinner, the dogs will have THE MOST APPROPRIATE site is the Woodbine Airnori to get stronger where Jack LaBounty once proposed to build a track and I find there are 4.763 year-round (as opposed to seasonal > conduct sports car racing. Most of the planning is alreadv dogs licensed in the county Cape May Point has the least, done All we have to do is change the proposed 2 5-mile track with 23 and Lower Township has the most, with 1 .674 (As to a quarter-mile and replace pit stops with little mounds an inside. I should point out that in most communities the of dirt suitable for digging and bone burying, number of dogs and humans are in proportion. But Lower Should the Woodbine Port Authority be reluctant (once has 21 percent of the county's population and 35 percent of burned, twice shy), there is always the MUA landfill where its dogs. Ponder the implications.) ' the smell of the kennels wouldn't be noticed STUDIES SHOW that this county leads the state in flab- °PP0Se ever>'0'i"g- tried toandogs. Most of thorn would rather lie around than run THERE WILL BE no flagpole In order to eseaDe the et.r around, the opposite of their owners. One seldom sees a dog rent half-staff controversy. doing any exercise In fact, they're usually riding in cars Gambling foes could hardly object since the niehtlv in the passenger seat, of course > When you do see one parade of excursion vehicles to Atlantic City casinos ac streaking down the beach in pursuit of a gull, it's a tourist cepted. Actually, an argument could be made that this will who hasn t yet learned that gulls are seldom caught and keep the people, and their money, at home where thev are tough when they are. belong. Certainly a trifecta for picking Prince Spot and It makes nqssense to me to have 1.763 dogs doing little Rex. 1-2-3. would be more exciting than three olums and of value except keeping the pet food sections of super- a ringing bell. " p ms ana markets profitable Fanatical animal lovers (they brakeforbugs) whocomHow canweget these lazy dogs in shape' I pondered Jog- plain about chasing even a mechanical rabbit tbMaua. was my first thought, and from there the progression some dogs are trained on real ones l were defused in Duhu. racing was logical que by having the dogs pursue a big white bone (honest I A parimutuel dog racing track in the off-season would ONE SUGGESTION is to have the does chase a J**"1® d°S lethargy, at least three other pro- caricature of a prominent local Democrat. But since there blems. the short tourist season, high offseason unemploy- aren t any. it could simply be the previous year's unsuc ment, and the pervasive boredom of winter in Cape May cessful freeholder candidate. This should he an all-county event with racing exclusively This should be a county governmen project since it has by local dogs. But it can't be limited to greyhounds Sse several departments that are basically seasonal and pro- we don't have enough to fill a lo-dne men is , , bably don'ihave much to do the other to weeks of the yiar. seven nights a week »>-<l°B-raee. The recently acquired Cold Spring ViHage operation and Putting a dachshund in the same race as a Doberman come'°.mind pinscher will require some elaborate Sndieapp^gTm THE C ol NT1 can float the necessary bond issue to con- sure it's nothing the county Treasurer's office can't handle