Re-light the flame

TO THE EDITOR

A few years ago an eternal flame was installed by the Veteran's Memorial on the front of the courthouse as a patriotic gesture to all of our veterans who have lost their lives in defending our country. It was extinguished by the commissioners, feeling it was costing the tax payers of Lincoln County too much money for repair.

Last year a group of Chinese were wined and dined for a week in Georgia by the commissioners and other citizens which cost $7,000 plus of hotel/motel tax money.

A fountain was to be installed in front of the Veteran's Memorial to again honor the Chinese. A few veterans got together and met with the chairman and others. They persuaded the group to install the fountain and change the wording on the plaque and to not honor the Chinese. The cost of the fountain was paid for by donations of businessmen of Lincolnton but the erecting and the installation did cost the taxpayers some money.

I guess it is more important to wine and dine and dedicate a project to the Chinese than it is to remember our soldiers who are and have fought for our country to keep our land free. Is it too much to ask of our chairman and commissioners to discuss this matter and do something about relighting the eternal flame? I personally think our tax money could be used for the re-lighting of the flame than on some of the outrageous things that has been done with our money in the past.

BARBARA SUBLET