Preserve the past -- he’s going to

“Our Disposable Culture Extends to Buildings Old and New,” Feb. 19, gave me much pause to think about the loss of history just to satisfy our wanting something “new.”

My parents taught me that we do not truly own the land and buildings we live on and in, but that we are caretakers, to honor the past by preserving it for future generations. This was fully realized when we purchased our home more than 30 years ago and the seller asked -- implored -- us not to remove or harm the large tree in the backyard, which she estimated to be many generations old and which was a beautiful home for the many birds nesting in it.

We have honored that request, and we plan to have it as part of the sale agreement, when the time comes, with future buyers.

GERALD HITSMAN

Valley Village