I read with dismay that Lexington County Council members have approved a resolution which eliminates the observance of Veterans Day and 4 other state holidays.

As an Army veteran of the Vietnam-era, a past commander of Lexington American Legion Post 7 and former Lexington County Veterans Affairs Officer, it concerns me that such action has been taken.

About 25,000 veterans and military personnel call Lexington County home. They have served in all wars since World War II.

Since the French and Indian Wars to today, about 1,000 military personnel from Lexington County have died in service.

We recently observed Memorial Day honoring the sacrifices that those men and women made. Memorial Day is set aside as a day of reflection on those sacrifices. For that, I am thankful that Lexington County Council proposes to continue to honor that day as a tribute to those men and women.

VETERANS DAY is a national holiday to honor those men and women who have served and continue to serve in military service. The resolution to remove Veterans Day, Nov. 11, as a county holiday and replace it, not as an optional holiday but to make it a workday is unconscionable. It does great disservice to the men and women who previously served and currently serve.

Is it so important to eliminate this holiday, yet maintain a holiday the day after Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve? Is there magic in Lexington County eliminating 5 holidays, 4 of them national holidays?

I WAS PRESENT when the county voted to honor the state holidays, thus creating county holidays on Martin Luther King’s birthday and Confederate Memorial Day.

Now, county council proposes to dishonor citizens who wish to pay tribute to MLK, US Presidents, their Confederate ancestors and even the veterans of Lexington County.

Optional leave days? Is that the answer?

And what is the reason? To provide county services on 5 days during the year?

What does that accomplish?

By giving optional leave days, do you save money on holiday pay for county employees, law enforcement and other essential employees? Is that a sufficient trade-off to the dishonor shown our military members?

STATE AND OFFICES in other counties, banks and the US Postal Service are closed on those holidays. The county cannot have interaction with other agencies nor receive mail or engage in banking.

I was honored to serve 8 1/2 years as Lexington County Veterans Affairs Officer. I worked with veterans seeking help as a result of their military service.

I worked alongside people like now deceased veterans Raymond and Hamp Caughman, Redd Reynolds and Zu Martin as well as veterans like Murray Price, Roger Rucker, Ernie Hall, and many more.

I sincerely hope that Lexington County Council re-examines their proposed change during the next reading of the resolution.

Words to the Wise

Advertising gets results. Clothing and appearance communicate our values. Wholesome people want wholesome. Sin brings pain, heartache. Ask God to give you 1 or 2 clean, Christian friends.

Fred Kerr, West Columbia