School Bus Accident

In the wake of the horrible, tragic school bus accident that claimed the lives of two 8-year-old children and injured others in downtown Los Angeles Dec. 6, pause should be given to acknowledge the compassionate care given to victims and survivors--all elementary school children.

The police, firefighters, school officials and even passersby really put love into action by providing a solid wall of comfort--no telling how the minds of these youngsters would otherwise have been affected--by assuring them there was someone there to help them.

In my estimation, they are also heroes and should be duly saluted, not just taken for granted. God bless you, rescuers! You are appreciated.

IRVING GOTTSCHALK

Los Angeles

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* Re “Crash Renews Calls to Stop Forced Busing,” Dec. 7:

Please note, the Los Angeles Unified School District’s bus drivers are the best trained bus drivers in the world. I had the privilege of working there 9 1/2 years and was quite impressed with the district’s mandatory training exercises. We were guided by the expertise of the California Highway Patrol. I too was a trainer and I appreciated the Smith system and defensive driving techniques that were taught to us by CHP officers.

It is an unfortunate situation that occurred. To this day, I treat passengers in my personal vehicle with the same respect I did when I transported the most precious cargo in the world--children. God bless those parents who prepared their children each and every day for school. The first person a child has contact with in the morning is usually the bus driver.

JAMES DICHIRICO

Los Angeles