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Central UMC receives new members

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Man accused in fatal Nanticoke shooting heading to county court

Diamonds to White Haven for restoring the Memorial Day <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/660631/parading-in-remembrance-a-patriotic-tradition-returns-to-white-haven" target="_blank">parade</a>, to all the municipalities and organizations that staged parades last weekend, to the people who attended them, and most importantly to the people the national holiday honors: Members of the armed forces who gave their lives for this country. As an Associated Press story on Monday&#8217;s front page noted, too many people seem to have forgotten what the day is all about, looking at it instead as a long work-free weekend marking the unofficial start of summer. One obvious reason: The all-volunteer army means less than half a percent of U.S. residents serve in the military, compared to 12 percent in World War II. But this well-documented disconnect between those in uniform and the population they serve makes it all the more important to keep the sacrifice marked by Memorial Day front and center.Coal to anyone responsible for the removal of <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/660670/flag-holders-continue-to-disappear-from-veterans-graves-in-luzerne-county" target="_blank">flag holders</a> from the graves of deceased veterans. It has been an abhorrent act for years, often credited to low-life thieves grabbing the bronze holders and selling them at scrapyards. The notion that any recycling center would pay a penny for them is vile in itself, and that rationale for the disappearance seems less likely since aluminum became the metal of choice for the holders and recycling locations have shunned them with increased frequency. But they still disappear, and none of the possible explanations are comforting. They should not be stolen and sold, stolen and reused on other graves, or knocked down/removed during maintenance. The Luzerne County tradition of providing the flag holders is worthy, and their use at the graves of veterans should be respected.Diamonds to those who keep the Nathan Denison House intact and operational. It is, to be sure, a modest bit of history, a simple house with no compelling architecture outside and no elaborate decorative flourishes inside. Even it&#8217;s age &#8212; erected in 1790 &#8212; may be old by U.S. standards but pales when compare to, say, the Pantheon in Rome that has stood for more than two millennia. But it is a quintessential part of this area&#8217;s history, a terrific opportunity each Sunday from now through September to see what life was like for early settlers. Kudos to those who maintain it, and to those who dress in period outfits to make visits come alive.Coal to the teens who turn the opportunity to drive into a fatal outing &#8212; often by texting these days &#8212; and to the rest of us for failing to find ways to curtail the tragic statistics. As reported in Friday&#8217;s paper, new drivers ages 16 and 17 are three times as likely as adults to be involved in a deadly crash. It cannot be said enough: No matter what you believe, you cannot &#8220;multitask&#8221; while driving. Handling a high-speed lethal weapon like a car is, itself, complex &#8220;multitasking&#8221; that requires constant attention to the road, road conditions, traffic signals and everyone else around you. &#8212; Times Leader

Our view: Diamonds to those who still honor Memorial Day