Red Cross ready to respond

Dear Editor,

While many of us are asleep, families huddle on the street, watching firefighters douse the flames consuming their home.

At the same time, local Red Cross volunteers — neighbors from our own community — comfort those families and provide emergency lodging, recovery support and a shoulder to lean on during a very difficult time.

Thanks to donations, this kind of care happens every eight minutes, when Red Cross volunteers help someone affected by a disaster in the U.S. — most often, a home fire.

While large disasters often dominate headlines, about 175 times a day, Red Cross volunteers support a family affected by a home fire or other local disaster. These smaller emergencies may not get as much attention, but they cause just as much heartache and need for those affected.

During the holidays, home fire responses spike nearly 20% nationwide due to seasonal risks. In Pennsylvania alone, over 1,700 people typically need assistance after holiday home fires.

We’ll be there for them — because of our generous donors and volunteers, who help in so many ways. Not just after disasters, but also for people needing lifesaving blood, first aid and CPR, and support navigating the challenges of military service.

So, if you can, please consider donating this holiday season at redcross.org. Let’s come together again to ensure people have the support and care they need.

Mary Rogers,

Executive Director,

American Red Cross Northwestern Pennsylvania Chapter,

Erie

Not ship shape

Dear Editor,

I am not too sure what exactly is so illegal about protecting our country and the American citizens. These drug-filled boats — yes drug-filled coming from Venezuela, Colombia — are en route to the USA and if their load is delivered tens of thousands Americans will die so yes it is a matter of kill or be killed.

By continuing to allow these terrorists to invade our country with their weapons of mass destruction is absurd just as absurd as the politicians fighting President Donald Trump every step of the way. Mainly the Democrats.

The boats that are being used to transport these drugs move faster that normal helicopters therefore telling me that they are not just on a weekend fishing trip with their buddies in international waters. Also these boats are not flying any identification flags which is a legal requirement for documented vessels, or commercial/Naval flags which indicate the type or function of the vessel.

If anyone really thinks that the U.S. is just destroying these boats for target practice without evidence of what their cargo is, all I can say is I can sell you some of that famous ocean front property over there in Arizona! Hurry up, the sale ends soon! Guaranteed we have boots on the ground spying let alone satellite imaging to prove the case.

Where was all the outrage when President Barack Obama was conducting drone strikes in the Middle East on targets with known civilian presence? Oh that’s right. It wasn’t Trump doing it therefore it was OK! Not that it was a totally bad thing as he took out about 3,700 bad guys — my hat is off to that. However, Obama tried keeping it quiet and covering it up and no transparency whatsoever! Everytime Trump gets one of these terrorist boats he goes on national news to let the American people know about it!

What is so wrong with keeping America and Americans safe? I am willing to bet the only reason is because Trump is calling the shots. It is absolutely pathetic that people are so blinded by hate and “Trump Derangement Syndrome” (TDS) that they continue to put America and American safety on the back burner!

The vaccine to cure you of this “virus” is simple and free (and this vaccine actually works) all you have to do is: wake up; open your eyes, ears and mind; and third, take a shot of common sense and everything will just fall into place.

If you don’t want to support and protect the country that you live in then please without delay move to the country you do support and want to protect! Nobody will stop you and I will fund the farewell party and by all means take a friend.

The drug trafficking and illegal invasion at the border is minimal now that the border is secured, yes Democrats it was as simple as following the laws already on the books and a President with a backbone to secure it, and once Trump gets a good grip on the invading terrorist from the sea we will be a much safer country.

The final sentence of the Statue Of Liberty unveiling ceremony Oct. 28 1886, reads: “The rays from this beacon will welcome the poor and the persecuted with the hope and promise of homes and citizenship. It will teach them that there is room and brotherhood for all who will support our institutions and aid in our development; but that those who come to disturb our peace and dethrone our laws are aliens and enemies forever.” It was delivered by Chauncey M. Depew, A United States senator from New York.

By crossing into this country illegally and smuggling drugs by boats from Venezuela is an attempt to dethrone our laws and disturb our peace bottom line!

Brian Fajbik,

Warren