OPINION/LETTERS: Why the Station nightclub memorial matters

Why the Station nightclub memorial matters

Feb. 20, 2023 will mark 20 years since the horrific Station nightclub fire which caused 100 people to die and 200 hundred more to be injured. This appalling, catastrophe also caused thousands more to experience the crush of debilitating, psychological and emotional despair.

But, this is not just about the 100 lives taken or the 200 people who were so seriously injured or even the thousands of family members, friends and co-workers, who have been devastated by the fourth largest nightclub fire in American history.

You see, the families of the deceased Station fire victims don’t need this memorial to remember their loved ones. They have the warm glowing places of remembrance in their hearts and minds. They have headstones and cemetery plots. The 200 most injured and scarred survivors of the Station fire don’t need this park to remind them of what they have been through, they have mirrors for that. No, the people who most need this park are our children and the generations to follow. The Station Memorial Park is a living monument to the life lesson, that if elected officials and those charged with our safety don’t do their jobs, people die.

This monument serves as an ongoing admonition to young people who may aspire to public service that the decisions they make during their tenure, can save lives. A future fire marshall who visits this site or sees it online, will be forewarned about the power they will hold to make the choices that can avoid destruction and death.

When a teenager, who plans to study law, visits this site they will learn what happens when an unprincipled attorney general or a connected judge allows corruption and politics to deny justice to the people they swore to serve and protect.

Yes, this park is all of that and much more. It is also a salute and sincere, thank you to the many first responders, fire, police, medical personnel, the councilors and clergy, who all came together on that horrible, cold winter night, to do their job by delivering comfort, compassion and support. This Memorial is vitally important not only to the families of the deceased, the survivors and the heroic first responders but to everyone, whose life has been scarred by what can only be described as a nightmare from which we cannot awake.

Dave Kane, Johnston

Chinese balloon shows Biden is full of hot air

In a grotesquely transparent effort to make Joe Biden look less incompetent, Biden administration officials would have us believe that there were multiple incursions by Chinese spy balloons during the Trump presidency. When pressed for pesky details to substantiate this claim, the story suspiciously kept shifting, while simultaneously remaining conveniently vague.

Almost immediately, multiple Trump defense and intelligence officials flatly and publicly rejected the claim as a fabrication designed to muddy the waters and lessen Mr. Biden's political damage. It was notably the very first time the nation had even heard such claims, and the timing certainly raised eyebrows.

With each passing day, it's becoming increasingly clear that Mr. Biden, his fellow Democrats, and their coat holders in the liberal media are as full of hot air as the Chinese balloon itself, and are routinely telling lies that would make even George Santos blush.

It's enough to make this political observer feel, well, deflated.

Michael J. DiStefano, Jamestown

Learn more about Friends of Nepal

The Friends of Nepal’s Board of Directors greatly appreciates the fine article entitled, “How a home in Jamestown has quietly become a center of support for Nepal” by Zane Wolfang. Our members are mostly returned Peace Corps Volunteers living in the U.S. and across the world.

Mr. Wolfgang presented moving stories of the organization and our president, Dan Donaghue, and past president, Aaron Rome, both of whom have worked tirelessly to raise funds, awareness and quality of life for Nepalis. For your readers reading a print version, our website address is www.friendsofnepal.com.

Richard Sellers, VirginiaSecretary Friends of Nepal

Gary's Handy Lunch full of memories

Good people, good times, good food and a great story. The Handy Lunch closing is very sad. I understand all great things must come to an end but I hate change. Thames Street will not be the same.

The family will live on in our memories. For me, that is very true. I've known Mary, Gary and the kids since I was 10 years old at Maple Avenue Baptist Church. A group of us went out after church for coffee and lunch. It's a memory I treasure. Good times and great people sharing our Sunday afternoons together. We'd frequent Lums, The Black Rail, Howard Johnson's and, yes, the Handy Lunch.

I have eaten many a meal at the Handy with many friends. The place is history and will be missed but most importantly they will always be remembered. It will go down in history as they say.

The restaurant and its reputation ran itself, but the Hooks family etched themselves in our hearts forever. It's tough seeing places close and many are wondering where their next cup of coffee will come from but as for the Handy Lunch, we will never forget you.

Thanks for your years of dedication to our beloved town.

Ramona Perham, Middletown

Genuine action must be taken to end racism

For some, the vicious murder of Tyre Nichols has already become a faded memory – another Black life that didn’t matter. It seems that we have come to tolerate violence – or even worse – we accept it as a new standard in our lives.

Or is it that we are now unconsciously repressing our thoughts about violence because we feel helpless in doing anything about it?

Violence diminishes us all – no matter our color, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation/identity. Every day carries a new incident. We hear mostly about gun violence, erupting unforeseen, suddenly and lethally. It crushes a lot of people into silent horror or disbelief.

Add racial bigotry to the mix and the situation boils over into a seismic fracture in our democratic way of life – or least how our democratic form of government should operate. Most people would say, when asked, that they are not prejudiced. That is hopefully and likely true. But, how do you explain racial slurs at a recent high school basketball game in R.I.? It really exists in our own backyards.

We are faced with two monumental problems in our day – violence and racial discrimination, when combined, and not addressed, will damage society in the most critical of ways. We cannot and should not ignore our responsibility in doing something that would genuinely make a difference. These are preventable problems, so we are not excused.

A few things by way of getting on the road to remedy: Admit there is a problem with violence and racism; recognize that violence and racism are learned behaviors; commit to teaching about nonviolence and racial discrimination to our students; and seek support from public and private employers to offer presentations in the workplace about nonviolence and racial discrimination.

Bemoaning and praying about these pernicious stains on our society have their place. But, we know that’s not enough. Genuine action MUST be taken now.

One more thing- personalize this; make it your problem and your mission; don’t wait for someone else to do something. What better thing can you do but be in service to one another? Everyone who has already done this knows this to be true.

J. Clement Cicilline, Newport

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: LETTERS: Why the Station nightclub memorial matters