Veterans’ stories of service illustrate the value and strength of American diversity | Opinion

Veterans offer hope

Veterans Day offers a beacon of hope in a world marred by divisions.

As a Marine Corps infantry veteran who served from 2000-2004, I’ve witnessed the healing power of sharing one’s military journey, of bonding over shared sacrifices, and of bridging divides.

In our country, division often feels like the status quo; however, my time in the Marines showed me a different truth.

Side by side, we served, laughed, and fought, regardless of differences in skin color, politics, or beliefs. We epitomized the diversity that is America.

Veterans Day is a reminder that unity is possible. Through veterans’ stories, we find understanding, empathy, and unity.

This day is more than a holiday; it’s a moment for dialogue and acknowledgment of the challenges veterans face.

In a fractured world, we must remember that our distinctions do not define us.

Inspired by the patriotism and strength of servicemen and women from all walks of life, we can find hope.

As our state motto proclaims, “Dum spiro spero”—while I breathe, I hope.

Happy Veterans Day weekend.

Robert LeHeup, Columbia

Hunger lives here

Note: The writer is president of the Second Helpings Board of Directors.

Thank you for your recent article highlighting the food waste problem in South Carolina (“SC wastes more food than any other state, new study shows. Here’s why and how much”).

Second Helpings is a nonprofit food rescue organization striving to eliminate hunger in the South Carolina Lowcountry.

We collect and distribute food that would have otherwise ended up in landfills. Our more than 300 volunteers provide 3.2 million pounds of food annually, free of charge, to more than 50 food pantries and soup kitchens in Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties.

Here’s how the community can get involved in fighting hunger and food waste:

• Drop off unopened, non-perishable food at one of the food pantries and soup kitchens we serve. A map can be found at https://www.secondhelpingslc.org/our-partners/agency-partners.

• Donate to support our food rescue efforts at https://www.secondhelpingslc.org/.

• Hold a food drive to encourage neighbors to donate food. Contact Second Helpings at 843-689-3689 for more information.

• Raise awareness among friends and neighbors.

Hunger has a local address. Approximately 20,000 people in our three-county area are food insecure. With the support of our community, we are providing food for the hungry while helping the environment.

Mary Ann Bell, HHI

Best and brightest?

Well, it’s obvious the inmates have taken over the asylum!

The reality is we elected these people to Congress.

Certainly not the best and brightest needed to run our government.

Surely we can do better.

Peter Trager, HHI

Need to know

I am a faithful reader, and am very interested in the local news in and around Bluffton.

We have lived in the unincorporated town of Bluffton for the past 8 years. When we have a need for police services, it is provided by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. The few times when we or our neighbors have required assistance, it has been provided without issue.

My concerns are with the transparency of police investigations, most recently a fatal shooting near the area of The Farm. No information with regard to outstanding warrants, why the suspect was there, where the suspect was from, etc., has been provided.

The area where there was gunfire is adjacent to many of our schools, places of worship and businesses, but local and state authorities are saying nothing, and our newspaper is onto more pressing issues such as discussing local contestants on the Voice or the best restaurants on Hilton Head.

This community has been labeled as a “paradise,” yet within any community we are exposed to the realities of the “real world” of drugs, crime, unemployment, etc.

We need to be informed for the sake of our children and in the name of public safety. There is more to crime in Bluffton than car break-ins and DUIs.

If local law enforcement refuses to be transparent in their investigations, then it is up to the local news outlets to do their own investigations and help keep the community informed about what is transpiring in our neighborhoods.

Anne Fitzgerald, Bluffton