Forty years ago my family and I moved to Gardendale after having served a three-year tour of duty in Germany fighting that old cold war. I had orders for Vietnam where they were fighting that hot one.

This was in ‘68, the same year Sens. McCain and Kerry were over there.

Where I was at in the Mekong Delta, we were the boots on the ground advising the South Vietnamese Army. Six years later, our forces were still there fighting before withdrawing.

Many times we had to call on the Navy for air and ground support. I helped direct fires from air support as well as from Swift Boats.

Does this qualify me to be president? I don’t think so. Neither does it qualify me for mayor or councilman.

Since retiring from the Army in 1970, I have attended a whole lot of council and other meetings. Does this qualify me to serve on any of these boards? Maybe.

I say this because anyone looking to serve this community at any level of government who has not served a single day in that capacity does not have any qualifications, the way I see it.

Any person who has four or more years in that capacity is more qualified for re-election to that position. The more years served, the more qualified, the way I see it.

As for a president, I firmly believe military service should be a prerequisite. Since no candidate meets these requirements, then we will have to take pot luck.

Harold L. Smith

Gardendale