Letters: Port Chicago disaster

Port Chicago, 66 years later

Thank you for Chris Reynolds’ excellent article “Flash Point” [Sept. 5] about the World War II disaster at Port Chicago in the Bay Area. I knew some of the details, but it was instructive (and horrifying) to read a compilation of that small but important piece of our racial and military history.

Along with the editors’ odd decision to put the story in the Travel section, Reynolds’ chilling last sentence — “… all 50 of those convicted in the Port Chicago mutiny are now dead” — will stay with me a long time.

John Gallup, San Diego

Thanks to Reynolds for writing this long and serious article. The research, interviews and writing must have been painful no matter that this horrific event is 66 years in our past. Admittedly, there was national racial discrimination prevalent, not only in the U.S. Navy.

About a year and a half ago, my wife and I tried to visit the Port Chicago site but learned that reservations were required, background checks, etc. I hope we have time to try again, and I will surely use the helpful information in his article.

J. David Drielsma, Cardiff, Calif.

Two thumbs down to the Sept. 5 front page of the Travel section. The news is depressing enough without giving us ugly, depressing travel destinations. I look forward to Travel every Sunday, but this time you really let down your readers.

Jean Anker, Granada Hills

I just read Betty Hallock’s experiences with cuisine in Copenhagen in “A Nordic Capital Ascends” [Sept. 5]. As a Dane living in our capital, I was glad to see she described the city as Copenhageners see it. She managed to experience and describe local places that host regular Copenhageners and that offer good value. Thank you so much for taking the time to present not only the traditional tourist places but also the local spots that we Copenhageners love.

Anette Jeppesen, Cph Connection, Copenhagen

I read Hallock’s article about her four days of dining in Copenhagen. I enjoyed descriptions of the various new restaurants and Nordic ingredients.

However, I could have done without her use of modifiers unrelated to the food: “upstart” chefs; a “mad” brewer; the “gentrifying” Norrebro neighborhood; the “hip” meat-packing/red light district; “chic” design shops; a co-owner coffee seller “holding court”; a “cult” Danish brewer at Mikkeller, which is “around the corner from a part of Vesterbrogade occasioned by a hooker or two.”

What do these descriptors have to do with dining? Does one get a frisson (her word describing walking into Bo Bech’s Bageri) thinking there may be a hooker around the corner, or the food will be more enjoyable if the neighborhood is gentrifying or hip?

Lola Moline, Los Angeles

I just finished reading Madeline King Porter’s article on Edisto Island [“Mind Your Manors, Please,” Sept. 12], and I find myself eager to go to this charming place. It was refreshing to read good writing in the Travel section. I’d like to see more of it.

Nancy S. Grant, Laguna Beach

Lori Grossman left out an important piece in her story about traveling with allergies [“Your Allergies Are Itching to Act Up,” Sept. 5]: that is, small animals allowed to fly in the plane. I am often sickened by the dander on the plane. People who are allergic to cats and dogs also have rights.

Joan Golden, Calabasas