• Community helps out

Recently I was a patient at the Burn Center (Doctor’s Hospital), in Augusta. While there, I observed the heart shaking results of the tragic fire at the Sugar Refinery in Savannah.

People of all backgrounds, i.e., police, fire and sheriff’s departments, churches of all denominations, civic groups from across Georgia and neighboring states were there to be a part of the healing process to the victims and families of this tragic event.

In addition to this group participation, there were tons of food, monies, motel space available, transportation, gas stations, restaurants, hospital staff, clergy of all faiths — people unknown to people amazed to the aid of anyone who were burned and to the assistance of their families. Even the hospital chapel was staffed 24/7 for prayers and comfort.

To this list of generosities, I would like to thank my St. Paul AME Church family and friends for the many prayers and calls I received and rendered to me during my absence and recovery.

Edward Foster

Valdosta

• Reese in days of frontal attack

Charley Reese used the wrong criteria in his April 19 column about judging Gen. Petraeus. Reese is still in the days of the frontal attack militarily, when these are the days of insurgency.

Gen. Petraeus was chosen to be commander in Iraq mainly for his knowledge, expertise and leadership shown in counterinsurgency. He wrote the “Counterinsurgency Field Manual” which was published in 2004 and was downloaded more than a million times. It’s no wonder that certain members of Congress quit saying there is no plan in Iraq. Gen. Petraeus was confirmed practically unanimously by Congress.

The military leaders of World War II and the Korean War didn’t have to deal with insurgency afterwards although a close watch was kept on Germany and Japan for about 10 years and there is still a U.S. military presence in Germany, Japan and Korea.

The United States is very fortunate to have an academic general who can inform, teach members of Congress as well as answer their questions about the latest in counterinsurgency which is unlike after World War II and Korea.