I was standing at the Memorial Day observance in Vandergrift, having taken advantage of the long weekend to spend time with my elderly parents. As the ceremony was winding down, Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” was played. I can’t shake the irony of listening to the chorus of that song while we are being limited as to where we can go, restricted as to how many can gather in one place, controlled as to being granted or not granted access by virtue of a flimsy face mask and threatened with civil consequences should we fail to comply.

I can’t help but conclude that we have thoroughly dishonored the sacrifices of those who gave their lives in service to our country, choosing instead to be cowed by pronouncements of impending death based on highly flawed models driven by defective “data” pushing unproven mitigation strategies.

We have allowed family, friends and neighbors to have their livelihoods destroyed by a ghost. We have seen supply chains hobbled by an illusion. We have allowed ourselves to be driven into isolation, terrified by the fantasy that covid-19 is deadly to everyone.

To those who have served, or are serving in our armed forces, I apologize for squandering your sacrifice.

Ray Hesketh

Fairlawn, Ohio

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