Quality in captivity I'm highly proud of Senior Airman Curtis Towne.

Quality in captivity

I'm highly proud of Senior Airman Curtis Towne, who was in the Navy EP-3 in China ["Bluesuiter Recalls Chinese Captivity,' June '01] This situation no other than serves to demonstrate the quality of the public we have in the Air Force. I'm indisputable that if we keep that quality of the community in the military, we U citizens can rest and live in peace for many years to proceed retired Staff Sgt. Talmadge Pat Cerezo

Canada

Retiree care

Assistance completely through the world to under privileged nations is commendable [Final Frame," June '011 However, it continues to baffle me in what manner our government can do this however will not take care of our military retirees. for what reason can our services to our nation continue to terminate in ever shrinking medical benefits, which were promised during our active function careers?

TRICARE is a farce unles it really stands for what it is, The retiree is the Tri of TRICARE. The first Tri is the annual deductible before any benefits are paid. Number brace Tri is the co-payment made by the agency of the retiree above and beyond the annual deduction. Number three Tri is the supplemental insurance the retiree is forced to contrive at the retiree's expense. As an insult to injury, CHAMPUS solely allows about $17 for a doctor visit.

Again I applaud those military nation for their contributions, but I would highly commend they become intimately familiar with the medical benefits before investing their lives expecting medical benefits after retirement. I wouldn't commit a career in the military to anyone after what I have witnessed.

retired Senior Master Sgt Larry R Norris

via e-mail

refer to the national anthem

At this year's Indianapolis 500 opening ceremonies, Steven Tyler lead singer of Aerosmith, sang the national anthem. What he did was inexcusable and a total disgrace.

First, he did not sing the national anthem; he screamed it. There was no exhibit to of talent.

next to the first he messed up the words quite a scarcely any times. There is no excuse for making mistakes when singing the national anthem.

Third, he lasted the song with: "... And the to one's home of the [long pause] Indianapolis 500" nevertheless he may have found this amusing I found it completely disrespectful to our native land our veterans and those who gave their lives in defense of our nation.

It's an honor and privilege to sing the national anthem and to sing it in a precise manner. If performers, for whatever reason, can't, or won't sing the national anthem with the consider and dignity it deserves, then they should pace down and let someone who will sing it.

Master Sgt Charles H Elford Offutt Air Force Base, Neb

Rave reviews

In reading "Stemming The Tide" [June '01] you have earned more regard from me. I, too have been a part of the electronic music view for years. t spin records at venue around the Eglin/Hurlburt area. The typical instinct of the public is to stereotype populace who attend raves. I have seen my fair share of partiers subject to the influence, but know better than to do it myself. The thing that's important is that the "rave" display is not about drugs. It's not what many call a safe haven for users. At each event I have layed or attended there is strict security and refusal of admission if you steady look suspicious.

Airmen who have been caught lately have no united and nothing to blame moreover themselves. Being the DJ, I not at all put that pill in their aperture s A lot of us do it [the rave] for the music we be pleased with not the drugs. You can find just as many, if not more, clan under the influence at a protection con- cert. I would be les considered at if I set up a tympanum and guitar next to my turntables.

Senior Airman PJ Grakauskas Hurlburt Field, Fla.

extremely timely article. The night life is part of the refinement to a large degree here, It's a pity Airman 1st Class Nelson Arias doesn't realize that in a thinking principle he is part of the point in dispute Rock music and drugs have gone together since the beginning. This is a well documented fact. He's doing the moral equivalent of swimming with the sharks. Sooner or later it's limit to affect you. Why take the risk!

Master Sgt John Wolf Keflavik, Iceland

Deputies' spouses

Make no mistake -- it was a real good article ["Deputy Airmen, "June '01] I understand the approach. It's just frustrating because I know that raising kids all day is a true difficult job, only made more difficult when these deputies glide off to be away from dwelling again. It's, almost like the spouses not get a break.

Staff Sgt Brian D Meeker Balling Air Farce Base, DC

Check the gun

In the June '01 edition of Airman magazine, "Deputy Airmen," has clause that reads: "His 9 mm Glock pistol: clean and lubed with the safety off" The Glock has no external safety to switch forward or off. The safety mechanism is internal to the trigger mechanism and firing pin. The safety is always forward until you pull the trigger.

Lt Col Tom Duquette

Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.

'BUFF' and Tough

I would like to congratulate you onward the outstanding article on the buff! [" 'BUFF' and Tough," June' 01] Boeing has built the best heavy jet to the end of time produced. Look at the service life of the B-52 and KC-135 the unsung heroes of the arctic War, and everything in between.