FAN MAIL: John McCartney has some musings about the old home
town …

“A wish or a fantasy? The lucky ones who have grown up in these
communities of Bradford will have memories of times never to
forget. The teaching of community and friendship is one of the many
things a child can learn from here.

“Bradford is safer place to play and explore the many wonders of
life. The surrounding woods, streams, wildlife and seasons is a
great replacement of city, gangs and the many dangers a child
should not have to experience.

“The fantasy is have all children starting life in theses
communities to give them the kind of life and happiness we all can
relate to. I’m not sure how this would effect the landscape of the
area, but I think it would bring a change to the tragedy of the
urban child. America would have a better sense of self, duty and
pride.

“A salute to all of us who have been there and done that! We
continue to be the shining example of our childhood as adults in
our communities.”

HOW MANY?: William Carl, a D-Day veteran who landed on Omaha
Beach for the Normandy invasion, has a question which we found
quite interesting.

How many people were killed in World War II – soldiers and
sailors, civilians, those killed in the bombing raids and in
concentration camps, and in the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima –
all of them?

While you think about it, let us tell you about Mr. Carl who has
an interesting tale to tell.

Mr. Carl was a member of the 18th Infantry that landed with the
Big Red One in the second wave of the invasion.

In 1994, he went to Europe as part of the 50th anniversary of
the D-Day landing. A special tribute, he tells us, is owed to the
10,000 men who lie beneath white crosses in the cemetery above
Omaha Beach.

OK, have you come up with a number?

Mr. Carl tells us the figure was 28 million.

Hard to believe? Think about it: The many many soldiers from the
various countries who were engaged in the war. The millions of
people who perished in gas chambers and concentration camps. The
many who died in bombing raids, both conventional and nuclear. And
just average people who are always the “collateral damage” in any
war.