Friday, November 18, 2016

Dear Editor - From Fred Collins



Dear Editor,

Nearly one hundred years ago I entered a struggling world, not because there were many that wanted a “free ride” but because they cherished their freedom. Those that were farsighted invested themselves in making their country better by starting a business. 

Perhaps they were near a river where inquiring minds harnessed the river to power their inventions. (Just think about Sebago Lake. Deep trenches were dug for miles by pick and shovel. Most able bodied persons bent their backs to make America a better place to live.) We very seldom would see people with a mindset to destroy. Police were seldom needed as correction officers, but to aid a disabled person.

“What a hundred years has done to this America.” 

Our leaders criticize our security for upholding our laws of protection. (Never have we heard them pronounce the need of better education of those that disregard the law.)

(How would you describe a police officer?) Perhaps an officer is a composite of what all men are – “Mingling of a saint and sinner, dust and deity.” What does that mean – They are exceptional, unusual, they are not common place. 

Less than half of one percent misfit the uniform. That is a better average then you would find among clergymen.

A policeman must make instant decisions which require months for a lawyer. A police officer must know every gun, draw on the run, hit where it doesn’t’ hurt.

He must be able to whip two men twice his size and half his age without damaging his uniform and without being brutal.

If you hit him…he’s a coward, if he hits you…he’s a bully. A policeman must be a minister, a social worker. A diplomat, a tough guy and a gentleman, and of course, he’ll have to be a genius…for he will have to feed a family on a policeman’s salary.

“I believe we are looking at the wrong end of the spectrum, we should educate the uneducated, administer discipline that will prevent these unproductive eruptions!”

(We as a nation should get our perspectives in order to make a better America.)

Submitted by,
Cpl. Fred Collins
United States Marine Corps
Served in two world wars

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