The following letters to the editor appear in the edition of Feb. 19, 2004. Letters appearing in this space do not necessarily reflect the views of the Arlington Catholic Herald or the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. The editor reserves the right to edit letters as necessary. There is no guarantee of publication. Send letters to: letters@catholicherald.com.

Mental Health of Troops

I appreciate Remington’s concern for our troops (ACH 1/29/04), and agree wholeheartedly that we must do everything within our power, including the power of prayer, to help protect our brave soldiers as they serve our nation.

However, Remington made reference to an article published in the Minneapolis Star on Jan. 15, 2004, in which I was erroneously quoted. The referenced article was likely a result of comments I provided to media representatives on Jan. 14. To clarify this critical issue, at that meeting, I said “there have been about 21 confirmed suicides during 2003 associated with Operation Iraqi Freedom.” I also stated that “the rate [13.5 per 100,000] ... is on the high end of what [the Army] has seen in the past.” While our observation indicates a slight increase (16 percent) from the rate in the most recent prior year, the experience from Iraq is within the range of year-to-year variation we have seen since 1990. In other words, there have been years since 1990 when the rates observed were higher than in 2003. In fact, rates have been on a stable to slightly declining trend in recent years.

As the senior health official for the Department of Defense, I consider the death of any of our service members to be tragic, regardless of cause. Each military service has an active suicide prevention program as part of managing the health and welfare of our service members. All service members who deploy receive pre- and post-deployment health screening, which includes evaluating any mental health condition that may place a member at risk, and when concerns are identified, appropriate care is initiated immediately. Additionally, all services provide active suicide-prevention programs regardless of where our troops are serving.

The Department actively monitors the health and well-being of our forces, and we will continue to make every effort to minimize the number of suicides among our military population.

Dr. William Winkenwerder, Jr.,
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs

Trusting Humanity Over Government

I would like to respond to F.J. Lenoach’s letter entitled "Pro-Life not for America". In his letter he presents his belief that we in America and in our Government can not call ourselves pro-life until we "ensure that every new born infant has access to the requisite health care and education to become a mainstream -not marginal- American. ... a real pro-life society would demand their government provide not only words of compassion but deeds." The second part of the quote is where I have an argument (though I am sure that some "marginal" Americans would have an argument with the first part).

It is apparent that the writer believes in a socialist society where the government takes care of all one’s needs from cradle to grave. The problem with government solving our problems is that people stop asking what they, their family, their church, or their surrounding community can do to solve a problem, and they begin to ask, "Why doesn’t the government do something about this?" The fact is that individuals, families, churches, and local communities address and solve problems much more effectively and efficiently that a huge government program. As a result of families, churches, and communities being relied on in such a way, these entities are built up and made stronger. And to the degree that we rely on government to solve our problems, these pillars of civilized society will decay, leaving us only the government to rely on in times of need.

Finally, it is clear that the author has no faith in the goodness of the American people, "we surpass the world in crime, violence, drug use, pornography, and disdain for our poor and disadvantaged."... We are simply not to be trusted with the welfare of our fellow man. I would argue that though we do have cretins in our midst, we are mostly a good and generous people. But this lack of faith in people and communities is typical of those who place their faith in government to solve our problems. Ultimately, however, it is not only a lack of faith in people or communities in which we live, it is a lack of faith and trust in God and his divine providence.

Bill Castellan
Front Royal

Tribute from a Friend

Regarding your recent article on Al Burch’s impending retirement (ACH 1/29/04), I have been privileged to know him for over 50 years.

We all need heroes and as Al retires after 42 years at Bishop O’Connell High School, it is fitting to reflect upon this really outstanding Catholic layman’s accomplishments at one of our proudest diocesan high schools.

Al Burch was one of the finest three-letter athletes to graduate from D.C. area high schools, and he passed up the opportunity to pursue a professional athletic career because he had a greater calling — that of coach, teacher and principal of O’Connell where he touched the lives of over 15,000 young men and women who studied and graduated from this citadel of Catholic education under his trained guidance.

Al Burch has always understood what is important to the success of O’Connell High School: a fierce loyalty to the Catholic faith and to the people who comprise that school, be they student, parent, faculty or alumni. When there is an unfortunate illness to them, Al is there; when there is a need for a letter of recommendation to a college or an employer, Al is there; when there is a late meeting to address the needs of the school, Al is there.

Whether it has been the marvelous academic success of O’Connell’s students (under Al’s tutelage, the school attained the coveted designation of Blue Ribbon School; or whether it has been the carefully planned additions to the campus (the school is yet again in the midst of a magnificent building campaign); or whether one of the athletic teams has achieved significant notoriety (when

Al coached the Knight’s baseball team, it once went undefeated for 42 straight games), Al Burch has led O’Connell with wisdom, foresight and a fierce fidelity to the teachings of the faith he holds so dear.

Thanks Al for all the memories. You are indeed our hero. You never asked what we could do for you; you always asked what you could do for O’Connell.

John J. Brandt
Parent of four O’Connell graduatesVienna

Recognizing SALT

I want to join Diann Sherwin in thanking you for your thoughtful presentation of the 2004 Legislative Agenda (1/15/04). However, I was very surprised and amazed that you omitted any mention of SALT. This is surprising since SALT is a faith-based advocacy group whose consistent advocacy resulted in the Homeless Intervention Program (HIP), which helped 7,600 individuals and families avoid homelessness this past year. SALT also assisted the Child Support Program and a TANF increase for low-income Virginia families, among others. It is difficult to understand how you can de-emphasize the consistent good work of our 700 dedicated SALT advocates.

John Horejsi
Vienna

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