Regarding "Health care a top concern for veterans" (Aug. 16) on President Bush's address to the VFW, I couldn't disagree more with the reporting of the crowd response. "Informed" through prior reporting by the national media (print, TV and radio) to expect polite applause, the crowd roared with approval when the president entered the room.

The enthusiastic response for health care and other spending for the benefit of current and future veterans was no surprise. As for the so-described "tepid response" to restructuring the troops, it wasn't delivered as an applause line.

During the four-hour wait in the convention center, in one conversation after another, I was disabused of the notion that veterans are, at best, 50-50 for Bush.

William Myles
Bridgetown

Cheers for Kerry louder than reported

Regarding Peter Bronson's column "Many in VFW have no desire to salute Kerry" (Aug. 19): I heard John Kerry's speech to the VFW, and I heard thunderous applause. So where does Bronson get off telling your readers only about the few guys who still can't get over Jane Fonda?

It so happens that Kerry was right about the Vietnam War. His references to the war were from a Michigan group of veterans. Kerry had the courage to go to Congress to try to put a stop to it.

Ann Thompson
Green Township

Kerry's opposition seems juvenile

Promises, promises - Picture this. It's your last year of high school, and it's time for class elections.

"Vote for Fred. He'll paint our hallways red!"

"Vote for Jake. He'll demand free chocolate cake!"

Promises are made not because they're important. They're made to get your vote. Candidates attempt to be all things to all people.

So why does Sen. John Kerry criticize every strategy proposed by the Bush administration? His opposition to withdrawing 12,000 troops from the Korean Peninsula makes no sense. He votes for one thing, but says another. What is he doing? Running for senior class president?

Ann R. Albin
Loveland

Florence Freedom worth rooting for

I am part of a host family for the Florence Freedom. I have had players living in my home since May 9. The Florence Freedom is a baseball team composed of 24 talented young men who get paid very little to play a game we call the great American pastime. The entire season's schedule consisted of only six days off. They suit up, hit the field and play their hearts out.

I go every night for the atmosphere, for the excitement and to cheer for "my guys." They're a part of my family and my community, and they have earned and deserve my support. Connie and Chuck Hildebrant have made serious errors in their business and personal finances. They were 20 percent owners of the team, but they are not "the team." These young men play hoping for the opportunity to join an affiliated ball club, for the love of the game and for our enjoyment.

Lori Snider
Florence

Gay marriage no problem in Germany

The politics surrounding gay marriage in the United States continues to baffle me, particularly after a recent vacation trip to Germany. During that trip, I discovered that same-sex marriage is legal there, yet (surprise!) I saw no degradation of society. Family values are displayed in families of all kinds, and there was genuine caring and respect for the committed relationship. People, both gay and straight, respect one another as they go about their daily lives; they co-exist in peace.

It seems to me that Europeans get it. They celebrate and honor the commitment of two people to love and honor each other, no matter their sexuality. Americans and the religious right would do well to take a lesson.

John Cummings
Kenwood

Modernist nuns abandon true doctrine

In reference to the article "Nuns reflect on changes over decades" (Aug. 14), clearly these nuns embody the spirit of the Vatican II changes. As one sister stated, "Now we do what we want to do."

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, the original Catholic televangelist, used to point out that nuns who have discarded their habits are "spiritual nudists."

It is obvious that the modernist nuns described in your article have abandoned their habits along with true Catholic doctrine.

Bernard J. Kunkel
Walton