Tragedy and forgiveness

Re “Marine jet crashes into house,” Dec. 9

If the pilot of the fighter jet that crashed near San Diego knew so quickly after taking off from the aircraft carrier that something was terribly wrong with his aircraft, how could he be told to try to get to a base several miles inland?

It seems (and not surprisingly so) that the military was more concerned with losing an expensive airplane than showing concern for the homes and people between the carrier and the runway at the base.

Why didn’t the pilot punch out over the ocean, near his ship, and dump the plane, harmlessly, into the sea? He would have been picked up by rescue helicopters in minutes. This is something American citizens shouldn’t have to worry about happening in their backyards, literally.

Steve Parker

La Quinta

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Re “Man mourns family’s loss, forgives pilot in jet crash,” Dec. 10

Dong Yun Yoon, the man who lost his family when a jet crashed into his house, has suffered a tragedy beyond imagination.

Yet in his grief he has publicly forgiven the pilot and expressed hope that the pilot does not suffer for the accident. Our country -- and our world -- need more people like Yoon. Forgiveness is the first step toward healing. I wish peace and happiness for him as he rebuilds his life.

Michael Evans

Bloomington, Ind.