With the wide range of ages within The Villages, and with me at the upper end, it is entirely possible that I am old enough to be your dad.

I was a child during World War II, and I was old enough at the time to remember it. I lived in Dallas, Texas, where we had practice air raid blackouts with airplanes flying over the town dropping flares on the city as simulated bombs. I watched them out of my bedroom window. Most of the fathers in the neighborhood were either in the military or in defense manufacturing.

I went with my mother to her Civil Defense First Aid Training at night at the Junior High School and sat in the back of the room and listened to the descriptions of how mustard gas killed by searing the victim's lungs. When the instructor realized I was there he made me go sit in the hall until class was over. I remember rationing of gas, rubber, and a variety of foods. We had a Victory Garden in the back yard.

As an adult I served in the U.S. Army. I worked in local law enforcement. I worked in federal law enforcement at the seat of the federal government. I locked up criminals and protected Presidents.

Yes............I am old. And I've seen enough to now refuse to be manipulated by Liberals who want to tell me what I may and may not do or say. That is why I am such an avid supporter of the Constitution.

I turned 80 this month. I wear the years well, I think.

Carl in Tampa

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(Letters on photo are to discourage identity theft.)