Letter: Newman also served his country

Dear Editor:

Your Memorial Day Remembrances section in last Friday’s paper (paid advertisement, page 5) was very nice. It is right and proper to pay tribute to those who have served their country … especially in time of war.

The tribute to Medal of Honor Recipient Ed Freeman, who died on Aug. 20, 2008 was particularly touching. However, when I reached the end of the tribute I was appalled by this line.

“(Oh yeah, Paul Newman died that day too. I guess you knew that – he got a lot more press that Ed Freeman.)”

I can’t understand the significance of adding such a statement to the end of a wonderful tribute to Ed Freeman. I didn’t know Ed Freeman, but I’m pretty sure this type of petty statement would have saddened him.

And “Oh yeah” … Paul Newman died on Sept. 26, 2008 of lung cancer at the age of 83, not on Aug. 20, 2008. Paul Newman was a successful man who did many good things in life … besides being an actor and a race car driver. In his lifetime, his company, “Newman’s Own” donated over $250 million to charity. He served in the Navy during World War II as a radioman/turret gunner on an “Avenger” torpedo bomber in the Pacific. He had wanted to train as a pilot but couldn’t because his was colorblind.  He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946.

He also served his country!

Larry Hebenstreit

Libby