Copyright Norfolk Virginian-Pilot
Citizens’ duty Veterans Day calls upon every American to extend their heartfelt appreciation to all who have worn the uniforms of the armed forces. It is a day to reflect upon the selfless service and sacrifices made by the few who answered the call to serve. They chose to serve a cause greater than self in peacetime or especially in times of conflict. America needs patriotic warriors and certainly patriotic citizens. Patriotism is the cornerstone for our way of life, our culture and our liberties. As citizens it is our obligation to stand for the morals and values of America, just as our warriors defend freedom. The military cannot stand for patriotism alone; citizens must also share in this value. We owe this to the thousands that gave America their last breath and the many that returned home wounded. Our gratitude for our warriors and our patriotism must not be silent for silent patriotism is simply silent. Acts such as displaying the American flag, attending Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies with your family, and speaking of your patriotism. In order for the American spirit to survive and flourish, we must encourage and teach the future generations to honor our defenders and respect the laws, morals, traditions and values of America. The Veterans of Foreign Wars will present honors at noon this Veterans Day saluting all veterans. We encourage all to attend with us in patriotism acknowledging the deeds and sacrifices of the American veterans. Daniel Serik, retired Army Paratrooper and VFW member, Elizabeth City, N.C. Bad Bunny The NFL recently announced Bad Bunny, the “King of Latin Trap,” will headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show. For those unfamiliar with Latin Trap, it’s known for vulgar and explicit lyrics about women and sex, as well as the glorification of drugs, money and weapons, according to KCR College Radio. Ironically, Bad Bunny said in September he wouldn’t perform in the United States out of concern over the U.S. political climate, so expect this halftime show to be overtly political. A 2024 Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found only about a quarter of U.S. adults approve of celebrities and professional athletes speaking out on political issues. Like most people, I just want to be entertained by the big game and the halftime show; such as Prince’s 2007 musical masterpiece, ranked as the best of all time by Billboard and Rolling Stone. If you’re tired of politically charged Super Bowl halftime shows, switch to a family friendly alternative instead, such as Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl. You might not even go back to the game, unless, of course, the Green Bay Packers are playing. Joe Naneville, Windsor DOGE savings I have regularly monitored the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) website ever since it was made available to the public last February. The current savings shown on the DOGE website is $214 billion. Here is how I propose a portion of the savings be used to deal with the current federal budget crisis and congressional gridlock. First, reallocate $21.2 billion to pay the military during November and December. The military payroll is approximately $5.3 billion per payday. Second, reallocate $18.4 billion to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients during November and December. The program costs approximately $9.2 billion per month. Finally, reallocate $60 billion to fund the projected cost of the Affordable Care Act federal subsidies in 2026. By using $99.6 billion of the $214 billion saved by DOGE, Congress can resume their negotiations to finalize a budget that actually ended on Sept. 30. If necessary, senators and representatives should remain in Washington, D.C., over the holidays to finish the job. After all, members of the House of Representatives have had the past six weeks off to do their holiday shopping. Francis Fox, Portsmouth
