Soap Box

To the editor,

Nancy Pelosi has joked about “The $1 Wall” she’d support or 2,000 miles of a hippy-beaded wall. Kidding aside, security costs for our government will increase substantially, even with a $100 billion steel wall, if the Democrats “scream Uncle.”

Why not have our government give parcels along the border to U.S. military coming home from overseas, homeless vets – sky’s the limit – on which to build their homes with red, white and blue picket fences? Anyone from Mexico would think twice about scaling a picket fence, uninvited, where gun-trained homeowners live.

Better yet, why not have picnic areas every few miles on the border for everyone, including children. The U.S. and Mexican folks could share in pot lucks and save mucho bucks in security!

– Sally Florence, Durango

To the editor,

Two years ago, the day after Mr. Trump’s inauguration, women and men from across the U.S. turned out in record numbers for the largest single-day protest ever, speaking with one voice against misogyny, racism and petty cruelty. Indivisible Durango staged one of the 700 worldwide marches right here. Last year, we did it again, inspiring ourselves and our community to make a real difference in 2018. Hundreds turned out. And, as you know, La Plata County had a 62 percent turnout for the November election – an unheard of participation rate! As a result, we helped elect men and women who share our concerns for the environment and for our children, for affordable health care and meaningful investments in our country, and for competency in government.

If you are one of the people who smiled, or even teared up, to see so many new women join Congress just a few days ago, to hear so many people of different colors and religions and ethnicities recite their Constitutional oaths, then you will want to join us Sat., Jan. 19, to celebrate “Women’s Wave – Building Power” march. Join us, and your sisters and brothers across the country, as we gather inspiration and determination to support and care for each other, our children and our planet. The march starts at 10:30 a.m. at the train station and goes to Buckley Park, where there will be a rally with music, signs, energy and inspirational speakers. See you there!

– Anne Markward, Indivisible Durango

Usually a week before Christmas, my father would gather some of his World War II veterans for dinner. They would reminisce about their days in the service. One of my favorite stories that he recounted was that of “Little Joe” and Gus. Recently, while rummaging through memorabilia that my dad left me, I found a small sketch that he did of “Little Joe” and Gus. It prompted me to recall this tale.

On Dec. 16, 1944, the Germans attacked an 80-mile front along the Ardennes. My father was an infantryman with the 1st Division during that time. Near the town of Bullingen, Belgium, in the Northern Sector, fighting became fierce and chaos reigned. My dad’s buddy and squad leader was Gus. They were ordered to reconnoiter a small hamlet. As they cautiously entered, they found it deserted except for a small mongrel dog. Gus stuck the dog in his wool coat and they continued patrolling only to find the village abandoned. On returning from their reconnaissance, they brought this mangy little character to the allied lines. Gus dubbed him “Little Joe.” He quickly became the platoon mascot.

Within the next six hours, there was a thunderous barrage as the Germans began their offensive. Apparently Little Joe was spooked and ran into a snowy field. Gus instinctively ran after the little pup. About 200 yards from the trench, Gus was hit by a sniper. My father and his comrades watched in horror. There was no attempt to rescue Gus as the German infantry had their unit pinned down. They couldn’t see Gus through the drifts and sleet. They only hoped that Gus was still alive.

By evening they heard a faint barking in the distance. This alerted them that Gus may surely still be alive. The platoon waited till dark, and my dad and a few corpsmen crawled into the field to rescue Gus. They finally reached him, and to their surprise they found Little Joe lying on his chest. Apparently, the sapper’s bullet had penetrated both legs but miraculously missed any vital arteries. The corpsman believed that “Little Joe,” by lying on Gus’ chest, kept him alive through the freezing night. Gus was dragged back and was driven to a field hospital. Little Joe wouldn’t leave his side. A few months later, a photo was sent to my father of Gus and “Little Joe” celebrating Christmas in northern France. My father always said, “In the darkest of times, always look for the light.” Little Joe was surely Gus’s little beacon. I looked for the photo but all I could find was the sketch.

– Burt Baldwin, Ignacio