‘For 40 Minutes I Was Back in Cape May County’

To the Editor:
I’m currently serving with the 101st Airborne Di-vision in Afghanistan. I’m originally from Sea Isle City.
I came in this morning and the Dutch NCO told me I had mail, which is always a morale booster. When I saw the envelope from my mother, who winters in Naples, Fla., I was happy to see it, then excited when I found she sent me the Herald. The publication is something I’ve read for many years, and it always has a way of connecting me with home.
Over the years, it seems the area developed from a two-season area into a four-season location, with events happening in the seashore towns year-round. It’s great to see this, and it’s great to know the re-porting and coverage of local events and the people have grown along with it. Thanks.
For at least 40 minutes, I was back in Cape May County, feeling connected again to South Jersey. As I read about numerous things happening in the differ-ent towns, I found myself saying, “I have to go there when I get back” over and over again. I walked the beach, went surfing, drove out through the state forest, cruised through the marshes in the boat with a big cup of coffee and almost felt the autumn chill on my face. It was the A/C behind me.
It’s funny how I haven’t really lived there for 20 years due to my nomadic lifestyle, but that’s the area where thoughts of it make me feel homesick. I’ve even mentioned Sea Isle in a novel I wrote that will soon be for sale on Amazon.
I also appreciate the editorial angle. Proclaiming to work for God and the good of mankind is indeed a great focus, and helps keep the publication from choosing editorial sides. I love it when newspapers report the news while maintaining media neutrality, allowing the people of the area to voice their opin-ions while facilitating such discussions. Thanks for that too.
I read the column from Art Hall on National De-fense in the Sept. 22 issue, and I have to say, I wholeheartedly agree. Look at our current situa-tion…we have no economic interest in Afghanistan while China and Russia are making it rich, thanks to us. The reason why we have such old airplanes in the Air Force, like the tanker fleet, is due to politics and nothing else. Politicians are destroying this coun-try from the inside. We even buy aircraft from Russia with US taxpayer money to give to Afghanistan. We need to seriously ask ourselves “What’s in it for us?”
Years ago, there was a book called “A Japan That Can Say No,” and it dealt with their reliance on and conformity to the wishes of the U.S. Well, we’re getting very close to needing to be a U.S. that can say no to China. Go into any store and try to find some-thing not made there. I think when the canned peaches at the ACME and the candy on the Wawa counter are from China, we’ve gone far enough. The other day I found a little hand-held American flag, and on the stick was “Made in China.” I thought it ironic.
I need to get back to work now. All is well in Af-ghanistan. The strength, spirit, and courage of our young troops is something amazing to see. If you ever need any information about Afghanistan, just let me know. If it’s something I can tell you, I will. If not, I’ll tell you why not.
Thanks again. Keep up the good work. There’s at least one person out there who appreciates it.
MAJ. TIM RAMSEY
Afghanistan