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Thank you, letter writers

I am not a person who writes letters to the newspaper. Well, maybe a couple of times in my 74 years. So I want to thank those of you who have had the courage to speak your mind, whether I agree with you or not. Lately there have been some very meaningful letters that speak my mind. I would like to address a few from Aug. 31 in particular.

I especially want to thank Dave Bentley, of Spokane Valley, for his letter, “Brothers - and Heroes.” You touched my heart. My son’s Army helicopter unit in Hawaii was called “Dust Off” because they flew medevac and, needless to say, it was my generation who fought in Vietnam. Our current president has no clue what a true hero is, or how devastating PTSD is for those suffering as well as for their loved ones. Our men coming home from war in Vietnam were treated so badly and the term PTSD had not been recognized or addressed yet. He has lived a life of privilege and cannot relate. Thank you, Dave Bentley, for your service and for your caring heart.

Del Nord, of Spokane Valley, thank you for your letter, “This is ‘winning’?” Such a well-spoken letter that simply spells it all out. I couldn’t agree with you more. The facts are all there and we are definitely not winning. If you haven’t read his letter, please do!

Susie Leonard Weller, of Liberty Lake, thank you for your letter, “Shea unfit for office.” I too am in his district and am appalled and saddened by his misuse of his Christian faith to promote racist beliefs that justify exclusion and violence toward others. He does not represent me!

The Spokesman-Review has been my newspaper for many, many years and, yes, I read the paper version. In these times we are now living, where news is available everywhere, and “fake news” has become a popular saying by some, I value my local newspaper and the many views, editorials and activities that are featured. So thank you for your good work and for allowing us all to speak our mind. This in itself is a freedom that is denied to many worldwide. We can’t let it happen here.

Marilyn Fleenor

Spokane Valley

Letters policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

  • No more than 250 words
  • We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
  • We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
  • With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
  • The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

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999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
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Read more about how we crafted our Letters to the Editor policy