Honoring Veterans

Re “Ceremonies Honor Veterans,” Nov. 12: Your article on the unveiling of the veterans monument in Santa Monica refers to “a display of patriotism for a place [the city of Santa Monica] seen by some as a center of antiwar sentiment,” implying that antiwar sentiment is somehow unpatriotic. The noble service of those who have served their country in uniform should, of course, never be forgotten. But it should also be amply clear with respect to the Vietnam War that those who took a principled position against that war--often sacrificing their futures, their freedom and in some cases their lives--were no less “patriotic” than those who went off and fought.

Indeed the only Americans whose patriotism should be called into question are those who ordered and conducted that catastrophe, dividing the country into antagonistic camps, and forcing patriotic young Americans of all political stripes to accept dreadful sacrifices.

LARRY N. GEORGE

Santa Monica

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Re “A Monument to Bravery and the Ultimate Sacrifice,” Commentary, Nov. 11: The Cambridge American Cemetery is one of 24 overseas burial sites for America’s veterans killed in battle. These are maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission, founded in 1923 in response to the burial needs of World War I. Most of the cemeteries are in Europe, but they cover the world, from the Philippine Islands to Tunisia, for those who died in North Africa.

All offer the opportunity to remember once more the sacrifices of so many. The ABMC publishes a pamphlet with locations, directions to the cemeteries and visiting hours. Address of the U.S. office of the ABMC is 2300 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 500, Arlington, VA 22201, phone (703) 696-6900.

SELMA H. CALMES

Culver City

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Apropos Laura Lake’s column, for readers wanting to know more about the men buried in England’s Cambridge American Cemetery and their contributions to our freedom, I recommend Ian L. Hawkins’ new book, “The Munster Raid: Before and After.” It is a highly detailed history of the U.S. Army Air Corps’ battles against appalling German defenses in World War II.

LOUIS ST. MARTIN

Pomona