Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Last week's mail plus honorees, youth and veterans

TIME TO LOOK OVER some of the mail I received during recent weeks. I especially appreciated the heavy flow of mail supporting the keeping of brothers and sisters together when being placed in foster homes by the state. ...

Betsy Quinn wrote about the column praising public servants. Her late husband Jimmy used to call me about earlier columns, giving me his opinion. She wrote: "My husband was a public servant for more than 20 years, so I am well acquainted with the criticism these people endure. I only wish there was some way for the public to really understand what their lives would be like without them.

"It's the people in the background, who do the hard work, that need the praise. Believe me, they deserve it. But if praise is given to anyone, it's a county commissioner or a department head who gets the pat on the back."

Ted Maddox dropped me another line, wondering if I had changed my attitude about making flag-burning illegal. Nope. ... Jack W. Stader is another loyal fan of President Harry S. Truman. So is reader Orville Goplen, who met and talked with Sen. Truman during WWII. ...

Received a nice letter from Karen Mack, one of my Basic High School students almost 40 years ago. I'll give you a call, Karen. ... James L. Willcox Sr. loads his letters with bits of valuable wisdom. Keep 'em coming, James. ... Reader Ted McKenny has some good advice for the Southern Nevada Water District, they should listen to him. ...

Helen C. Cannon wrote a strong note as a longtime advocate for children. That's right, she's the lady with her name on a school, who was a military pilot during WWII and holds several golfing titles. She liked my Mother's Day column praising Sen. Bill O'Donnell's defense of children. ...

Frank Lupe thinks I'm out of my mind when writing about land mines. Frank, there are some people who think I'm out of my mind all the time. ... My UNLV rodeo pal Brandi Lehman is graduating this week. Law school should be her next stop. ... The reception at UNLV for people being honored included some real movers and shakers. I was the guest of Ruby Duncan, who has done so much for the needy people of Las Vegas. Ruby was named a Distinguished Nevadan, along with Wing and Lilly Fong, Mel Wolzinger, Sandy Miller and Ray Vega. The accomplishments of Regent Scholar John Kerrigan are especially impressive. If he becomes a college professor, I envy the students who will have the opportunity to study under his guidance.

If you are losing confidence in the younger generation, I would advise you to take another look at some of my friends. Jeff Walker of Green Valley High School put together a project called 2000 Tomorrows. The results were outstanding, as several local high schools came up with projects that helped the entire community. A great success story? Yes, and Jeff is expanding it to include even more high schools next year. ...

Then there is Steve Adams, who became an Eagle Scout this week. His final service project was designed to help fill several needs of the children at Child Haven. Another act of generosity for others to use as a guideline in their own lives. Don't worry too much about the coming adult population. Just watch them and put out a helping hand as they mature and do the good works many people of our own generation have failed to do. ...

Then there is Heather Witt and the members of the Silverado High School's National Honor Society. They not only are bright and articulate students, they also know how to conduct an induction ceremony for new members. It included the Silverado Madrigals and Silverado Orchestra, plus a nice reception following the ceremony. ...

Allow me to touch on a few items of great interest to military veterans reading this column.

*Disabled American Veterans needs volunteer drivers to transport veterans to appointments. The DAV has purchased the vans, but drivers are a necessity. Judith Lance writes: "Can you help? All it takes is a valid Nevada license, a free printout from the Nevada DMV and a free physical by the VA Clinic. There are openings for the morning and afternoon, however, the morning need is greater. As a volunteer driver, you will also receive a certificate for a free meal if you can volunteer for four hours.

"The veteran population grows every month and so does the need for drivers. Remember that you do not have to be a veteran to volunteer. Ladies and gentlemen are invited to contact Ron Byrd at 636-3000, Ext. 4153, for all the information you need to apply. If you call and cannot get through, don't give up, he is probably out picking up a veteran."

*My latest DAV magazine really comes down hard on Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., for his anti-veteran amendment to the budget plan. It cleared the way "for using an estimated $10.5 billion from veterans' disability compensation" to pay for transportation projects. Both Sen. Harry Reid and Sen. Richard Bryan of Nevada voted against the amendment. It passed 52-46.

*Local U.S. Coast Guard veterans, led by Chief Michael K. Opsitnik (Retired), are gathering funds for a memorial at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Boulder City. It's a most worthy project, and the address is USCG Veterans Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 93118, Las Vegas NV 89193-3188,

*Some person has been sending out letters warning veterans about signing up for VA health care before October 1998, or they lose their rights. I would suggest you get the true facts from a local VA facility before allowing the letter to panic you. Chuck Abbott, executive director of the Nevada Commission for Veterans Affairs, explains the VA directive in today's editorial pages.

*Bud Sheff wants me to let his buddies from Korea know that the Second (Indianhead) Division Association is searching for anyone who served with that outfit. Bud was in the 72nd Tank Battalion. Also, there's a July reunion coming up in Des Moines, Iowa. Contact: Bill Creech, P.O. Box 460, Buda, TX 78610.

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