Letter to the Editor: Which son faces the worst danger?

November 26, 2003
Cincinnati Enquirer

Earlier this month my wife and I traveled to Fort Benning, Ga., to witness
our son Tony, a 25-year-old Georgetown University graduate, graduate from
infantry basic training. At the time, he told us his decision to join the
Army. I was pleased that he had made that decision. His reasoning was that
he had to get out of his safety zone. He prefers cities to trees, does not
like physical challenges or contact, and could spend his life reading about
anything.

The graduation ceremony included a demonstration of how soldiers enter a
combat situation. There were two armored personal carriers that shot colored
smoke as the soldiers embarked in their camouflaged uniforms carrying a
variety of intimidating weaponry. I recalled my initial reaction to his
joining the Army and had second thoughts about him putting himself in harm's
way.

My son Nick graduated in the fall from Ohio State University and immediately
started a job as a "Velcro aide" to an autistic child in the public schools
in Cincinnati. The child is in the school for reasons of inclusion. This
child has frequently hit and scratched my son to the point of drawing blood.

I later learned while he was working at a gas station in Columbus, Nick was
robbed and handcuffed. He said it was his fault because he was about to
close and was nice to the robber when he should have been more cautious.

Later, I reflected on my two sons' situations and wondered: Is it Tony or
Nick in harm's way?

Stephen A. Fischer
Mount Lookout

Commentary:
As Ohio crimes continue to rise, while CCW states like Michigan's fall, we think Mr. Fischer's question is a very, very good one.

Click here to read the letter in the Cincinnati Enquirer.