Grave J21, Punchbowl: “Melvin S. Fujita. SSG. Vietnam. July 2, 1969.”
A point party “recons” ahead of an infantry company. The morning calm shattered. Machine-gun fire and grenades rain down. A deadly NVA ambush has been sprung.
The lead GI falls, mortally wounded. Another soldier hit. He retreats. A call to the company for help. The attempt to outflank the enemy stalls, as several more men fall under the withering fire.
A desperate cry from the wounded point man, “Fuj, don’t leave me!” Staff Sgt. Fujita, without hesitation, crawls forward, despite the grazing fire. But an enemy’s bullet finds its mark.
Respected and loved by the men of his platoon, this son of Hawaii from Puunui made the ultimate sacrifice.
This is one of many stories about the men and women who have fought in America’s wars, to remember this Memorial Day.
Robert K. Wight
1st Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Infantry, Vietnam 1969
—
Vacation units outdo affordable rentals
I continue to observe our elected officials publicly state that they are for building more affordable housing and cheer on each other when it is done.
The big problem is that faster than you can build affordable housing, existing housing is being turned into illegal vacation rentals.
How about if our elected officials and their department heads actually do something about that? The rental market for local families would be more available and affordable. Otherwise, today’s new “affordable housing” will be tomorrow’s vacation rental.
Susan Dowsett
Kailua
—
George Orwell’s ‘1984’ is here
The National Security Agency and “operatives” have replaced George Orwell’s ubiquitous “telescreen” and “Big Brother” that spy on our population and know all.
Orwell’s “Ministry of Truth,” which alters history, is flourishing with the toppling of statues and rewriting of history books.
“Fake news” replaces “Double think,” or the forced ability to believe two opposing ideas, as individuals, politicians and news media twist the same scenario for their benefit while unequivocally denying any opposing view.
“Thought crime,” or thinking for oneself, is virtually nonexistent, replaced by “newspeak” or mindlessly spouting the party line without thinking or compromise.
Orwell’s utopia, defined as absolute control by the government, is championed and embraced. His controlling 2 percent is now the 1 percent, and previously considered acceptable ideas are now politically incorrect or racist.
His “daily two minutes of hate” is omnipresent in letters to the editor and TV news.
Gary R. Johnson
Kaneohe
—
Bring America back from Trumpworld
We cannot stomp our way through the Middle East and Asia. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and President Donald Trump are a lethal combo of thuggery and sugar-coated deception, not to mention the dog-and-pony shows they perform for the American general public’s diversion.
I miss former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who attempted to do his job with class and diplomacy. Back then, our country could still take the high road.
We must not just stand by doing nothing. Members of Congress need to act like men and women, not mice, and rescue our country from these maniacs. We must resist. Bring America back! One for all and all for one!
Cassandra Aoki
Kaneohe
—
Clear mopeds from Waikiki sidewalks
The city has successfully removed Lime scooters from the sidewalks of Waikiki and elsewhere in the city.
Now, please do Waikiki right by acting in the same manner with the hundreds of illegally parked mopeds on the sidewalks in Waikiki.
Mopeds are the same as the Lime scooter, and this issue has been a major topic of conversation at Waikiki Neighborhood Board meetings for years.
It would be an equitable act to remove mopeds as was done with Lime scooters. I know they are larger, but Waikiki residents deserve the same protections against the hundreds of mopeds parked illegally in Waikiki.
Dave Moskowitz
Waikiki
—
Lifeguards should be near equipment
Lawrence Makishima wants to take us back to a time when employers mistreated and cheated workers by forcing them to work “off the clock” (“Private sector just got the job done,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, May 9). Unions prevent that.
Maybe having employees work without paying them is advantageous to the employer’s bottom line, but it certainly isn’t helping the workers and their families. As for the lifeguards wanting their equipment near the beach where they work to save lives: That is a no-brainer.
Jon Gasper
Salt Lake
