Christmas memory
The date was December 24, 1944, in occupied France, a young infantry soldier, Robert Schwert was on guard duty. It was very dark, according to Bob you never walk around at night during a war, everyone knew that. However, Bob first hears, then sees a man approach him, no uniform, no gun, a piece of paper in his hand. Bob unslings his rifle but does not shoot. The man reaches out his hand Bob, shakes it. The man does not know English, speaks French. Then the man hands Bob the paper he has written, a name, an address, time and date, December 25. Bob realizes he is invited to his house for Christmas dinner. Bob goes the next day, many children all smiling at the young American soldier that liberated them from the Germans. Bob said every Christmas I remember that Christmas in France. Bob died last year, a good friend of mine. Memories!
Cornelius Cahill, Lehigh Acres
Improving traffic safety
I was heartened to receive a general letter from the Sheriff’s Department that related 15 citations at a major intersection for red light running, and one for the serious offense of not stopping for a school bus. This is an excellent beginning to the goal of improving traffic safety in Collier County. Sadly, I continue to see brazen red light running on other major roads, with the especially lethal action of running a red light on a left turn.The Board of County Commissioners are to be congratulated on endorsing and supporting this citizen-initiated program for traffic safety. It is one of many citizen-initiated proposals. I urge the commissioners to consult with the Sheriff’s Department regarding how many extra officers will be needed to accomplish the goal of traffic safety in our county. If a tax increase of 0.5 to 1 mill will be needed, it is for the good of the public and should be approved. It will be met with the gratitude of all who use our roads. There must be no more deaths due to disregarded traffic laws.I urge all readers to let you commissioner know of your support for traffic safety.
Michael F. Finkel, MD, Naples
Name change unnecessary
Lee Health contends that the City of Fort Myers and Lee Health NEED to change the roadway currently known as Challenger Boulevard because it currently intersects with Winkler Avenue on the south side of Colonial Boulevard and that there are plans to eventually extend what is currently known as Challenger Blvd. in the northwest direction to meet Winkler Avenue for a second time. This would create a duplicate intersection of the same two streets; potentially causing confusion and delays if a traffic accident were to occur in either intersection. Therefore, a portion of Challenger Blvd. will eventually need to be renamed as a matter of safety and clarity…