April 6, 2026, is the 81st anniversary of a memorable event in my long life. On April 6, 1945, Easter Sunday morning, my ship, the USS Catron, APA 71, landed 800 U.S. Marines of the Sixth Division on the beaches of Okinawa to fight the last battle of WWII against the Japanese Imperial Army. It […]
Letters
Letters to the editor of the Sun Journal.
Is Graham Platner the right choice? | Letter
Sen. Susan Collins’ campaign is sharpening the knives to attack the Democratic Senate candidate. A vote for Gov. Janet Mills is the wiser option.
The Maine-to-D.C. shuttle remains popular | Letter
So, David Costello’s back. I left Washington, D.C., for Maine. I’ve found there are plenty of volunteer opportunities for my skills right here. I wonder at those who leave Maine for Washington, make a bundle as Washington insiders, return to Maine — and then can’t wait to get back to Washington. Costello isn’t the first. […]
Equitable tax policies will support all Mainers | Letter
I am writing in support of raising taxes on the wealthiest Mainers and profitable corporations to fund vital public programs. As a social work student at the University of Southern Maine, I am trained to address social problems and support those in need. Every day, I see the consequences of underfunded systems: families forced to […]
Trump should admit there are things he doesn’t know | Letter
There are a lot of things I don’t know. I don’t know why Donald Trump is unbothered by the fact that Russia provides Iran with satellite intelligence that allows Iran to target U.S. assets in the Middle East, including the recent destruction of an E-3 Sentry AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) plane on the […]
What the Muppets can teach us about Maine politics | Letter
For dreamers like me, the Rainbow Connection seems distant. Our political climate has abandoned what I consider the Muppet spirit: a celebration of wistfulness, a collective made strong by diversity and humble and transparent leadership. Contemporary politics has been like shadow puppets: projections designed to obscure the causes of our dysfunctional society. The Muppets offer […]
Platner’s past is the least of the Democrats’ concerns | Letter
Max Cooper’s letter of March 3 (“Don’t allow Maine to be embarrassed by Platner”) expressed anxiety and embarrassment over Graham Platner’s “tattoo” and “posts.” I share in distaste for the Totenkopf, but the Reddit posts, authored anonymously over a period of years when Platner was far from politics, are some of the strongest evidence that […]
Troy Jackson for Maine governor | Letter
I’m enthusiastically voting for Troy Jackson for governor. Here’s why: I want the next governor to work to bring all of Maine together — we need job opportunities paying a living wage and affordable housing and child care in northern and interior Maine as well as in fast-growing coastal areas. I’m confident that Troy Jackson […]
Maine domestic violence services need proper support | Letter
Maine’s domestic violence resource centers are no longer able to meet the demand for ourservices. At Through These Doors, Cumberland County’s only domestic violence resource center, we were forced to reduce staffing levels due to flat funding from the state of Maine and reduced federal funds. TTD employees provide advocacy through our 24-hour crisis helpline, emergency shelter, support groups, local courthouses and […]
An unresponsive representative is a bad representative | Letter
“No taxation without representation” was one of the rallying cries of the American Revolution. It reflected a simple belief, if the government expected our money, our obedience and our trust, then it owes us accountability. Apparently, elected officials no longer agree. I have contacted my state representative seven separate times with a simple question. Seven […]