On behalf of the families who are grieving from the loss of a child due to the coronavirus, I would like to personally respond to Governor Ron DeSantis’ recent irresponsible comments.

At a meeting of state educators earlier this month, while discussing a possible timeline for reopening schools in Florida, the Governor said this: "This particular pandemic is one where, I don't think nationwide there's been a single fatality under 25. For whatever reason it just doesn't seem to threaten, you know, kids."

He was dead wrong.

According to a CDC National Center for Health Statistics report (“Provisional Death Counts for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19),” data as of April 9, 2020, five young people under the age of 25 have so far died nationwide from the coronavirus. Most were between the ages of 15 and 24, but one was a child under 5 years old. But deaths by coronavirus are more than statistics.

According to a letter from the president of Colorado Mesa University (CMU), Grand Junction, Colorado, college student Cody Lyster, 21, who died from coronavirus, was pursuing a career in criminal justice in the footsteps of his father. Cody had his whole life ahead of him; now Governor DeSantis pretends like it never happened.

To assist the Lyster family with burial and other expenses, a GoFundMe page has been set up on behalf of Cody at https://www.gofundme.com/f/cody-lyster. In light of the Governor’s recent cold-hearted comments, I urge Ron DeSantis to contribute. It’s the very least he can do.

Bill Streifer, Crestview

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Age protects no one from coronavirus

To the class of 2020,

I wish we had known when our “last” would be our last.

The last late night trip after sports events. The last “hey” in the hallway, The last drive out of the parking lot.

I wish we hadn’t taken for granted the things that we thought we hated but now we realize we’ll miss them with everything inside of us.

Although it’s not set in stone, the things we looked forward to our entire lives, walking across the stage, flipping the tassel to the other side and throwing our caps in the air, might be taken from us. The last time we would walk across the field with our friends, the last picture with some people we may never speak to again. I

I hope we all find comfort and peace in these times. My heart goes out to those affected physically, but those who are also having their final memories of high school taken from them.

Class of 2020 forever.

Ariel Jagielski, Crestview

In April 1969, North Korea shot down a U.S. Navy EC-121 reconnaissance plane over the Sea of Japan, killing everyone on board.

Because the crash site was closer to Vladivostok, USSR than the U.S. Naval base in Japan, the Soviet Navy was the first on the scene. When President Nixon requested Soviet assistance, the Russians obliged by sending three of their destroyers.

And for the next four days. the U.S. and Soviets Navies took part in a rare, joint-U.S.-Soviet search-and-rescue operation. In the end, only two bodies were recovered.

My article on the topic, titled “Improbable Allies,” co-authored by a Russian journalist, will appear soon in the Spring 2020 issue of the U.S. Navy War College Review. here: https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/nwc-review/vol73/iss2/

A photo I supplied to the journal of one of the Soviet destroyers that took part in this search-and-rescue operation appears on the front cover.

Bill Streifer, Crestview

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Class of 2020 will miss milestones

It’s been a sorry week in Washington, my hometown. While the world is in high-stakes turmoil almost everywhere, a political civil war is underway with the Democratic party bent on taking control of the government.

Their strategy began with the systematic destruction of a sitting president, discrediting his staff, political and judicial appointees, and attacking his power to make policy. A daily inquisition carried out in a complicit media is meant to guarantee Democratic control of the House of Representatives and as soon as possible, the Senate. The Supreme Court is not far away. The claim that impeachment is an ideological debate meant to illuminate government abuses to the masses is no less than an attempted coup. This is strictly for political gain.

The short-term fallout is suspending the Chief Executive’s ability to manage and make foreign and domestic policy. His presence among world leaders is compromised because his administration is under attack and is threatened to fold. The Democratic party has declared war on this administration as well as the office of the president. In so doing, they are forcing the Executive, Judicial and Legislative to answer to a political party. They are assuming the right of review of all branches of the government and placing the US Constitution on the block.

Debates between interpretations of history play a marginal role in this struggle because there is no face to face dialog, merely explosive narratives held in the media for shock and awe value. The networks are dancing in the streets.

21st century America has a serious deficit. Its children and young adults neither acknowledge nor are taught history. They are locked into tiny windowless domes with streaming sensation delivered direct to their electronic collars. With no effort required to gain knowledge, there can be no understanding, no perspective, no interest in the past. History lacks taste, aroma, sensation and entertainment; its value as a source of perspective is approaching zero.

Once you surplus history and replace the past with Internet bandwidth, you’ve lost your country.

Richard Herbst, Crestview

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: We don’t need no education

Just a quick reaction to the “Our View” (“Allowing ’open carry’ of guns a bad idea,” Sunday, Oct. 20) edition.

“Sabatini’s idea isn’t new.” Correct. It goes back to the founding of this country and beyond.

“But the penalty for breaking that law would be reduced from a third-degree felony to a second-degree misdemeanor.” Correct. The actual carry would be a misdemeanor. A person still would face criminal charges for any illegal use of the firearm separately. Punishingly appropriate behavior at a more reasonable level.

“… allowing those under 21 to legally purchase weapons again.” Correct. They are legal adults and should have their rights endowed by their Creator recognized. I could list all the adult choices an 18 YOA is able to make, legal or otherwise, but there’s not enough room.

“Carrying guns isn’t a freedom like voting or free speech.” Actually, it’s a right that shall not be infringed exactly like freedom of speech or press in origin, endowment, and right.

“… society by definition sets parameters for the larger good.” Your unalienable right does not originate from society or is set based on the larger good. It is individual, personal, and sacred.

“… there is no freedom: for liberty is, to be free from restraint and violence from others…” John Locke, whom you clip the quote above from that I added the continuation, also said the following which is why no person should ask your permission to exercise his or her right.

“Thus a thief, whom I cannot harm but by appeal to the [civil] law for having stolen all that I am worth, I may kill when he sets on me to rob me but of my horse or coat; because the law, which was made for my preservation, where it cannot interpose to secure my life from present force, which, if lost, is capable of no reparation, permits me my own defense and the right of war, a liberty to kill the aggressor, because the aggressor allows not time to appeal to our common judge, nor the decision of the law, for remedy in a case where the mischief may be irreparable.”

Sean Dorsey, Laurel Hill

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Breaking down an editorial

God-given rights should apply

Things my nineteen years of age son is able to do: He can live on his own. He can buy a house. He can get married. He can have a child. He can run a day care and care for someone else’s child. He can work a job. He can go to college. He can go to war. He can open a bank account. He can get a loan. He can own a business. He can drive a vehicle. He can buy a car. He can vote. He can run for public office. He can publish a newspaper. He can pastor a church. He can get medical insurance. He can get a major surgery. He is treated as an adult if he commits a crime.

What can’t my nineteen years of age son do?

He can’t purchase a firearm.

Recognize his God-given rights. Recognize his liberty.

This is not a Republican or Democrat issue. It’s an American issue.

Repeal, replace or amend Florida Statute 790.065 and any other statute that unjustly deprives him of his freedom.

Sean Dorsey, Laurel Hill

Clinton didn’t dodge draft

I read Barb Bagby’s letter to the editor, and I guess she did not think it would be fact-checked.

I read the snopes.com article on Bill Clinton. Snopes found her premise of Bill Clinton being the first pardoned federal felon to ever serve as President of the US as FALSE. Yes, that would be FALSE.

He did not dodge the draft. He was excused because he was in college. Then if she had read the whole snopes article, he was reclassified. I guess she only read the part that she agreed with and decided to share the false information, bless her heart.

Bonnie Rincon, Crestview

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Letters

The definition of “heroism” varies from culture to culture and person to person, but the one constant seems to hold a few key components:

Virtue in the face of adversity.

Courage in the face of adversity.

Determination in the face of adversity.

We are beginning to see a commonality here that would be “right action” in the face of the negative force in the universe that always pushes us closer and closer to the void.

If you were to ask me about my own personal experience with heroism, I would only be able to cite great people I have known or learned about second hand. People like a young woman named Jennifer King who has been virtuous, courageous and shown infinite determination in the face of the terrible ordeal known as cancer.

I have had the privilege of knowing Mrs. King for some time now and have also been lucky enough to observe, first hand, her ability to lead massive numbers of people toward a life of meaning. Whether coaching gymnastics, coaching basketball, opening Muddy River Coffee or just coaching those around her on how to live life, she is an absolute force for good in this world.

I write this letter as nothing more than a small acknowledgment from one very small coach to a titan in the coaching world. A few words, written late at night, to proclaim to the world that we are in touch with greatness and that Mrs. King has helped push thousands of us even closer to that greatness.

On behalf of everyone you have ever coached and everyone you will ever coach, thank you ma’am. You are my hero.

Brannon “Mak” Remaklus

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: On heroism – an open letter to Jennifer King

While we all feel badly about these immigrant children it is not Congress’s job, nor ICE’s job, nor border patrol’s job, to babysit children. The parents put these children in this position, and it is their responsibility to take care of their own. We do not pay taxes for the financial problems that the illegal immigrants bring with them. Sicknesses requiring medication, food, diapers, day and night caregivers, a roof over their heads – it has gotten insane.

I have watched on the news seeing illegals jumping into the swollen Rio Grand River knowing that our border patrol will rescue them and not bring them back to the Mexican shore but bring them into our country instead.

We need the border patrol and ICE to do their jobs; our country needs that.

While I understand your compassion, I am sure you know that the United States has already gone beyond being helpful to these youngsters. Honestly, they should go home to their country of origin with their parents and start the legal process of coming into the United States.

Donna Filpi, Shalimar

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: About those kids entering the U.S. illegally

Gulf Power is raising the cost of power to its customers by $8 per 1,000 Kilowatts to offset Hurricane Michael recovery costs.

Shouldn’t customers be allowed to bill Gulf Power to cover the costs associated with power backup and protection equipment? Examples would include generators and fuel to run them, surge protectors, etc.

Tracy Hatcher, Crestview

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Electricity surcharge

Time has shown that the degradation of men and the role of fathers has had a hugely negative impact on the health of our society. Fathers, and men in general, are the ones who teach us how to push boundaries, to be stronger, self sufficient, and responsible.

In a world of "rights and entitlements" we are missing the much more important component of "taking responsibility". We have forgotten that helping our family, friends, and neighbors, is not the job of some far away bureaucrat. It is our job.

Never underestimate your importance and power as a father. You are the one who protects the world from things that go bump in the night, you are the one who does the jobs no one else will do, you are the one who has tea parties, Nerf wars, and who will teach them how to be adults.

The world needs men, and more importantly, the world needs fathers.

We glorify the role women play (rightfully so) and it is time to do the same for the men walking around right now with baby puke on their shirts, working nights at the power company to keep your iPad running, and those who come straight home from a long day of work to throw their child in the air or grill some burgers.

Brannon "Mak" Remaklus, Crestview

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Fathers are important