Relief Effort

* In the past, Homeowners of Encino has complained to federal authorities about the use of Air Force planes in the Van Nuys air show. We objected to this as a wasteful expenditure of public funds. The Air Force . . . justified the use as providing “excellent community relations and recruiting opportunities.”

Relief agencies collected 40 tons of surgical devices, gurneys, clinical supplies and plastic sheeting for shelter, ready to be sent to the people of Turkey to relieve their misery and suffering. But the earthquake relief supplies couldn’t be shipped for several weeks because “no one’s life is depending on these supplies.” (“Air Force Says No to Relief Effort, Aug. 25.)

Something is vastly wrong here. If the Air Force can’t assist in shipping medical supplies to relieve the misery and suffering of the people of Turkey, how will it be able to handle larger cargo shipments in case of a similar emergency in our own back yard?

GERALD A. SILVER

President,

Homeowners of Encino