The U.S. is facing identity problem

Confederates can’t also be patriots

In response to Sons of Confederate Veterans, I still can't understand why those loyal to a Confederate flag would even want to march in an American parade. That flag represents a foreign nation that the United States defeated in battle. Do those loyal to Germany or Japan want to march in our parades?

As an American, I don’t want those people who still salute a foreign flag like the Confederate flag participating in a parade in support of American troops.

Are you a Confederate or an American patriot? You have to decide. You cannot be both.

Jason Melvin, Wurtland



Childhood cancer target of event

I’m writing in regards to childhood cancer, the number one killer of America’s children by disease. Each day, seven children are taken from their friends and family. Each day, 46 more children are diagnosed with cancer. Each day, some 35,000 children are being treated for cancer.

Yet research into childhood cancer lags far behind adult cancers, and awareness of the entire problem is lacking. I know. I lost my 9-year-old cousin to the disease in 2008.

CureSearch — www.curesearch.org/ — is the largest childhood cancer organization. On June 22- 23, it will observe Reach the Day 2009, the ninth annual gathering of the childhood cancer community in Washington, D.C. The event provides an opportunity for those who care about children with cancer, to share their story with our nation’s leaders, and to impress upon them that critical funding

Since Reach the Day’s inception, the childhood cancer community has been mobilized to make a difference in Congress. Since 2003, the voices and stories of families have resulted in more than $12 million in congressional appropriations to support the research of the Children's Oncology Group.

In 2008, we celebrated the passage of The Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act, landmark legislation that holds the promise of $30 million over five years dedicated to childhood cancer research.

We have come a great distance but we won’t stop — not until every child with cancer can be guaranteed a cure.

Renee Combs, Jeffersonville, Ky.