Crossword

I have witnessed a change in a local American Legion post over the past several years. I support and commend anyone who has served our country. Originally, these posts were established by veterans and run by elected veteran officers and veteran executive board members. These posts were founded with bylaws and rules supporting the motto, “For God and Country.”

At my local post, the commander would make a better follower than he does a leader. He backstabs his officers to try to make himself look good. Officers are drunk at some meetings, which is very inappropriate, yet this is allowed by the commander, who should be observing and enforcing a code of conduct for the meetings. Minutes that prove that items were voted on are suddenly lost or misplaced. Married officers are having sexual affairs with the hired staff. There is stealing of items that belong to the post. Bartenders drink while on bar duty. Pay increases to certain staff members are given without the board’s approval. Nonmembers come in and do what they want.

When one member makes comments to reestablish what the post stands for and who should be making decisions on everything that is going on, he is critiqued for it and often chastised, told that it’s none of his business, even though he’s an elected member. Is this what “For God and Country” stands for?

— Concerned Legionnaire’s Wife

DEAR CONCERNED LEGIONNAIRE’S

Certainly not. But even the most virtuous motto falls flat without good men and women standing behind it. It’s time for your husband and any other upstanding members to take action. He can contact the American Legion’s internal affairs department at 317-630-1330 for guidance.

I have been a special education teacher for over 20 years. The students in my class have intensive needs, and therefore we have a high staff-to-student ratio. I have an exceptional assistant, and we have dedicated aides.

The reason I am writing is I believe that parents have difficulty with giving gifts at the holidays and the end of the year. Certainly, any gift is very much appreciated, but in the special education world, parents can be overwhelmed by the number of people involved in educating their children and often feel as though they need to send in something for everyone. Though that is a very nice thought, I also know that raising a child who has special needs is expensive, and I see parents spend so much more than necessary. I just wanted to offer a few suggestions to your readers who may find themselves in this position.

Gift cards for coffee, a basket of snacks to be used on a staff development day (or just a tough day!), a jar of miniature chocolates, homemade sweets that can be shared among a group of people — any of these would do. You could also contact a couple of other parents and purchase a gift card together to buy lunch. I always enjoy homemade ornaments or magnets. Even a card with a note to say how much someone’s hard work has meant to your child’s development is a treasure. There is no need to break the bank to make someone feel special.

Your dedication and thoughtfulness are inspiring. I’m printing your letter now, in advance of the holidays. Thank you for the perspective.

ACROSS

1 Draw forth 6 Vitello __ parmigiana: ristorante offering 10 Map out

14 Jeans material 15 Porky Pig or

Elmer Fudd 16 Hawaiian dance 17 *Degree earner’s

celebration 20 “Life of Pi” author

__ Martel 21 Cookie

containers 22 Fields of study 23 Off base sans permission, in the mil.

25 Italian volcano 27 *Math student’s

pad

31 Big galoots 35 Vermouth bottle

name

36 Dazed and

confused

38 “Lost” network 39 Pop’s pop ... or, divided into three parts, what the answers to starred clues have in common 42 Foe of Chiang 43 ’40s coat-andtrousers outfit 45 Quickly looks over 47 Jazz legend

James

48 *Lawn repair

piece

51 Dick Tracy’s love

__ Trueheart 53 Thin stream of

smoke

54 Is __: likely will 57 Many a freshman 59 Triangle ratio 63 *More promising

job, say

66 Crowd sound 67 Casting-off place 68 The John B, e.g. 69 Requests 70 Tarzan raisers 71 Coin with Lincoln

DOWN

1 Like avant-garde

art

2 Aloe __

3 __ empty

stomach 4 Snatches for

ransom 5 Flightless Aussie

bird

6 Number one

Hun

7 Pork cut

8 Bit of unfinished

business

9 Cape NNW of

Cod

10 Exodus tyrant 11 Attract 12 Opposite of baja 13 Those opposed 18 Perched on 19 Searing utensil 24 Taylor and Fillmore, politically 26 Ensnare

27 Enjoy the field, as

cattle do 28 Automaton 29 Neckwear for Fred in “Scooby-Doo” 30 Ship of 1492 32 Set one’s sights

on

33 Swiss coin 34 Trudge through

water

37 Hornets and

yellow jackets 40 Persians on the

floor

41 Local landing

location 44 Ragged clothes 46 Time-release

med

49 Takes an oath 50 Reasons to

repent 52 Waiting time at the DMV, seemingly 54 Taj Mahal city 55 Golf instructors 56 Shipbuilding

wood

58 Sport with

swords

60 Cold War curtain

material? 61 Bright sign 62 Catch sight of 64 UV index

monitor: Abbr. 65 Sugar amt.

It’s time for your husband and any other upstanding members to take action.