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Volunteers make big difference to vets

Today I am going to use the letter "V" in reference to the word "volunteers" for people who come from all walks of life to help the veterans at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center and at every veterans hospital in our United States.

These people are retirees, working people and schoolchildren who give up their summer vacations. They come from lodges, businesses and clubs, and also include groups of women who crochet small blankets and donate them to veterans to keep them warm. The volunteers help the veterans get to their appointments or activities, whether they can walk, are on crutches, in wheelchairs or on gurneys.

Therefore, we veterans want to say thank you for all that you volunteers have done for us and have given us. If you know of any volunteers, please let them know they are doing wonderful things for the veterans. This should put a smile on their lips or a tear in their eyes, just as they have for the veterans.

If our United States can give millions of dollars to aid other countries, our country should be able to make a million or so pins or buttons with the letter "V" on them and present one to every volunteer in our veterans hospitals. All we would be doing is giving them something for recognition that they have already earned.

Steve Pryslak, Seminole

Starting school in August has benefits

Re: Let's start school year in September, letter, Aug. 20.

I felt compelled to respond to the letter writer who wrote of the senselessness of sending our kids back to school during the hottest, most dangerous month (August).

As a parent of a school-age child, I have to disagree with her.

These are things to take into consideration: Some students are better off in school than at home (you know, "in this heat"). Dangerous? Sure, lightning is dangerous, but no more dangerous than hurricanes. Since the busiest months for hurricanes are August through October, maybe the schools should open in November?

Let's face it: The reason that classes in the Pinellas County school system begin in early August is that our government, not our teachers, insists on testing kids in March (yes, the FCAT). Keep in mind, the FCAT is based on a full year's knowledge. For example, a third-grader is tested on the whole of third grade. If he or she fails, then he or she is kept back. Is that fair?

Personally, I am not in favor of making all school systems in the state begin in mid to late August. I enjoy being able to take my family vacation in May, when it is still cool enough to travel and enjoy the outdoors, when theme parks, motels and other vacation destinations are not inundated by other summer travelers.

Why couldn't the state leave the decision up to individual districts? I think the state government would have more pressing concerns than when my children should be able to take summer break!

Mary Kurchinski, Dunedin

Photos help find animals good homes

Re: Pet of the week.

Kudos to the St. Petersburg Times for your longtime animal advocacy. I am certain that the pictures you print of animals ready for adoption play a large part in finding good homes for these wonderful creatures.

The excellent photograph of the chihuahua-terrier on Aug. 16 is the one that urged me to write.

Thank you and keep up this very good work.

Sally Blacker, St. Petersburg

[Last modified August 30, 2006, 07:52:23]