Provide support for troops, veterans

By RUSS FEINGOLD / Washington, D.C.
I write in response to William Brockmiller’s letter to the editor in the April 21 Tribune. I share Mr. Brock-miller’s concern for our veterans and agree that we need to increase our support for those who are currently serving and have served our nation.

That is why I have consistently supported increases in funding for the Veterans Administration, increases in outreach efforts for veterans, and increases in benefits for disabled veterans. I have consistently supported increases in the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans.

I also have worked hard to ensure our troops receive the support they need both when they are on the front lines and when they return home. In 2005, I authored several provisions, which later became law, that permanently extend travel benefits for the loved ones of service members injured in battle, help troops returning from active duty transition back to civilian life, and encourage the Department of Defense to clearly communicate its stop loss policy to new recruits and those who re-enlist.

Support for our troops cannot end when they return home. We must show our thanks and respect by reaching out to them and ensuring that they receive the benefits they have earned in service to our country.

Russ Feingold, D-Middleton, is a U.S. senator.

Don’t weaken drug penalties

By KARLA MULLER / La Crosse

As someone who has worked in the chemical dependency field, I am dismayed to learn that La Crosse wants to give fines for “small amounts of marijuana” versus having it be a criminal offense or jail time. I think this sends the wrong message and the implications are vast.

What about the children who suffer? One of the most difficult situations for me was to see the impact upon children of the parents’ selfish acts. I do believe children for the most part live what they learn. I believe marijuana is a gateway drug to other drugs, and I think passing this law would make marijuana access to children easier and promote people to try it who have up to this point said no.

Secondly, I believe this is a step toward making marijuana legal, and the damage that marijuana does to humans has not changed.

Thirdly, I believe this is financially motivated because of the jail and court overcrowding and cutbacks in the police department. I say that people take precedence over money and there have to be viable solutions.

This is not a long-term solution for the problem. I believe taking this step will ensure needing even more jails and prisons in the future.

They have telethons for everything else; why not fundraisers for the jails, police depart-ment, court revenues and addiction counselors? Surely, there have to be positive solutions for families struggling with addictions and rewards for those who have never used drugs.

Foster care offers nurturing homes

By JOANETTE ROBERTSON / La Crosse

May is recognized as Foster Care Month throughout the state of Wisconsin to honor dedicated foster parents and their families.

These professionals offer a safe and nurturing environment to many children every day in the face of crisis and difficult situations. Family and Children’s Center applauds the dedication and caring behind this work and wants to thank all foster care providers in the community for their generosity to children.

We value and honor your long hours, selfless spirits and commitment to children, and we thank you for the incredible difference that you make in the lives of children and families.

Joanette Robertson is treatment foster care coordinator for the Family and Children’s Center, La Crosse.

Fine tribute to a great lady

By SANDRA McCORMICK / La Crosse

I was pleased to see the special section “Nursingmatters” distributed with the May 8 edition of the Tribune. Of particular interest was the article “Remembering an Exceptional Nurse” — a tribute to Anita H. Grand. Most in the La Crosse area are probably unaware of the role she played in developing La Crosse’s health care services.

In 1978, Anita had a vision for La Crosse. She wanted to improve perinatal care. She believed that the outcomes of pregnancy could be vastly improved by developing a perinatal center. The program would include the development of perinatal health care teams.

As vice president of business development for Lutheran Hospital-La Crosse, I was assigned to write the grant — a challenging task that took my life in a new direction.

Anita was a task master. In a matter of hours she tried to teach me a new language — both in terms of perinatology and grant-writing terminology. More important, Lutheran Hospital was awarded an initial grant of $250,000 (a lot of money in 1978) to develop a perinatal center. The grant was refunded for three consecutive years.

A few years later Anita Grand contacted me about developing an adolescent pregnancy program. After much discussion, we agreed that it would be a teen health program.

Anita Grand was a great lady who loved health care and the La Crosse area. She had exceptional vision. We have all benefited from her wisdom.

How can a death be a blessing?

By STACY BURNS / La Crosse

I have never considered the Tribune to be a source of literary excellence, but with its headline of “Blessing in disguise” on April 21, it has sunk to a new low. How can the scheduled death of a beloved infant be described by anyone as a blessing? Yes, Mom lived, but at whose expense?

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