Readers Remember

It was the early 1980s and I was 17. I remember eating breakfast and reading the paper with my family.

I spotted an article about a strange epidemic killing young gay white men in Los Angeles. I took the article to the living room where I could read it away from my parents, not wanting them to think I was at risk (I was).

I studied the article for clues as to why these young men were dying, terrified that this was my future. I never imagined how what would later become known as AIDS would change my life and the world. I secretly read everything I could on the new disease, eventually learning that unprotected sex was the main route of transmission. I was terrified, and I followed all the warnings that seemed to target me personally.

Ironically, my best friend from that time was one of the first women diagnosed with AIDS in California. She lost her battle with AIDS a few days into the next decade.

Today my life is dedicated to fighting this epidemic, personally and professionally. However, I will never forget reading story after story as the epidemic grew. I have no doubt that information saved my life.

THOMAS J. DONOHOE

From the Internet

It was shortly after the Second World War ended and my eight uncles were gathered in my grandmother’s living room, arguing about which branch of the service won the war. They were in different branches of the armed forces.

At one point, my father, who was not called to duty, asked my Uncle Rocky: “Is it true that the enemy committed atrocities?” The room became quiet and Uncle Rocky looked at my dad and said, “John, both sides committed atrocities.” Then everyone got up and left.

JOHN SERRANO

Hacienda Heights