Kick the tires and light the fires: It’s Monday Mail.

Freedom

It's July 4, so go blow something up and yell "Wooo-hoooo!"

Alienation

Today’s opening comes from the 1996 movie “Independence Day”:

I like the “Independence Day” premise that space aliens never update their technology: A computer virus that works on an alien ship that crashed here in the 1950s also works on the alien mother ship’s mainframe when it gets here in the 1990s.

Also in one scene the president, his chief assistant’s ex-husband and his father, a fighter pilot, his wife and child all get to go into the top-secret government laboratory where the salvaged alien spaceship is secured. Then the pilot’s dog barks, because the dog gets to go into the top-secret laboratory, too.

Beret-ted

Here’s an email regarding a Memorial Day Monday Mail alluding to the 1966 song “Ballad of the Green Beret”:

Dear Mr. Chitwood,

I take serious offense at your lack of taste and humor in making a parody of the song, “The Battle of Green Berets” in your column today. It is offensive to those in our community who are serving in the U.S. Army, as well as the scores of retirees and families of Army veterans, including Green Berets, and the families of those who have served, or are serving, in any of our Armed Forces. My stepfather was one of the first “Green Berets,” a special, highly trained and skilled, elite group of soldiers that initially saw service in Southeast Asia in the early 1960s. President Kennedy named them “Green Berets” in honor of their distinctive hats.... Green Berets have served all over the world, sometimes in secret, sometimes not, to protect, preserve and further the interests of the United States.

When my stepfather passed away in 1998, his funeral was held at the JFK Memorial Chapel (Special Forces) at Fort Bragg, N.C., with full military honors. Inspired by his uncle’s service, his nephew graduated from West Point and became a Green Beret as well. …

My father passed away in March and was a veteran of World War II. I was the wife of an Air Force NCO for the last 10 years of the 29 years he served. …

In a time when our country is under attack and our soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen are serving in war zones around the globe, we should hold up and support our military families. Making fun of a meaningful song of America’s heroes is not appropriate, on Memorial Day or any other day of the year.

Very truly yours,

Patricia Cook Carroll

Phenix City

Dear Patricia:

You know, a lot of people today weren’t anywhere near being born in 1966, nor were their grandchildren. The song has to be introduced to them, so that’s what that column tried to do. But your history lesson helps, too.

Tim Chitwood, tchitwood@ledger-enquirer.com, 706-571-8508