Let's not forget that Stalin was our ally

Date published: 7/30/2010

Let's not forget that Stalin was our ally

It makes me sad to think that placing a statue of Stalin at the D-Day Memorial in Bedford has stirred up much controversy ["De-Stalinize Bedford," July 21].

I, for one, feel that I do not know enough about Stalin's role in helping the Allies. I'm a graduate of Bedford High School and Roanoke College. But before I or anyone else can vote, I think we need to learn more about the role Stalin played.

I knew most of the families that lost loved ones in the D-Day Invasion. But, like my sister Louise said, "We lived the war through our parents' parents."

They had three sons, one son-in-law, and several nephews who served. Every day my father, W.P. Hicks, would listen to Gabriel Hester on the radio. Hester would search for some piece of good news. He would begin his broadcast with, "There's good news tonight."

I do not remember much about Stalin and his role in World War II, but I'll never forget how I felt when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. I was deeply hurt. It took me years to forget and forgive. I did not have those feelings for Stalin and the Russians.

The Hoback family lost two sons in the invasion. I was watching a DVD about the families. Lucille Hoback Boggess said she was visiting her brothers' graves in France when a German walked by. They hugged.

I urge you to learn more about Stalin. He was our ally. Learn before you vote. And go visit the D-Day Memorial. It will move you to tears.

I've already asked the Caroline County library to send me some books on the war. I want to learn more. Then learn and cast your vote.

Janet H. Carter

Caroline



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Date published: 7/30/2010


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Stalin was a psycho killer... (posted by soldat65 , July 31, 2010 10:14 am)   
who mudered more than 40 million russians including all military officers above the rank of captain and then installed commissars (political officers) in every company in the red army. In terms of body count he is by far the highest body count muderer in history. But I did like the fallout shelter my Father built on our property.

Stalin was a murdering thug!! (posted by lifeisbeautiful , July 31, 2010 9:39 am)   
Turn off the Joan Biaz music, take off the Che t-shirt, and go support the troops. They fight for your right to say such nonsense. Thank God for that.

I like Amazigh's idea...................... (posted by fireball , July 30, 2010 9:28 pm)   
Why Stalin's conduct has been soft-balled by historians is beyond me. While I confess a bias to the troops that did all the fighting, bleeding and dying, it should be a no-brainer to anyone that has taken the time to find out just made this thug tick to insist that any WWII memorial avoid giving him personal recognition. IMHO, he forfeited any entitlement to favorable treatment by historians due to the way he treated his countrymen before, during and after the war.

Ms Carter (posted by lifeisbeautiful , July 30, 2010 8:40 am)   
Why not ask for the bust to be displayed on your front lawn? Stalin was a murderous thug. Can I interest you in some Che t- shirts too? Thanks majordadto7 for your response.

Stalin as bad as Hitler (posted by UberMensch , July 30, 2010 8:39 am)   
Allies in name only. Stalin killed off millions of his own people due to meglomania and paranoia. He was wreckless with his own army and simply pushed millions of his soldiers into the killing fields with poor planning. He with was a rotten evil lil' SOB. Stalin attempted to occupy Greece, and was behind the communists attempting to occupy all of the Korean penesula. He attempted to push the West out of Berlin and wanted to punish Germany just like in 1918. Harry Truman was the man who stopped him..

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