Spanish Civil War

Saul Halpert’s Oct. 22 letter correctly points out belated recognition to American volunteers who fought to save democracy in Spain. Others besides the volunteers were affected by the negative attitudes growing out of that period.

My sister was engaged to such a volunteer, who died during his service in Spain from pleurisy. Years later, as a federal government GS-3 typist clerk, she was summoned before a congressional subcommittee and charged with being a security risk to the U.S. (although she never worked in a sensitive position), because of her association with the volunteer, who was “suspected of being a Communist sympathizer.” Fortunately, she was defended by the late Robert Kennedy, pro bono, and her job and reputation were saved.

FRANK W. TERRY

Los Angeles