On the morning of 9/11 I flew our flag on our house with great sorrow in my heart and tears in my eyes.

Monday I flew our flag again with a tear in my eye, but with pride and a sense of justice in my heart. I am so proud to live in America.

Bill Tomsa

Topsham 

Almost 10 years after a horrific attack on the United States, the culprit, the mastermind of that woeful day of Sept. 11, has come to his demise.

We must all remember that the time it has taken for this event to transpire is indicative of the friendly support that this evil man had. With that in mind, we must realize that while the figurehead of this force of evil has been rendered impotent, the size and scope of his remaining influence is not and may never be fully known.

This moment in history will serve as closure to some and most certainly as justice to a nation so bereaved 10 years ago.

It does seem a contradiction that a nation with its ideals of fairness and diplomacy must resort to violence to achieve the justice deemed as proper for a crime so violent. Let us not rejoice in the death of a fellow human, as that is a trait we abhor in the enemy; rather, let us accept this day the symbolism of justice prevailing in a world of evil.

Let us all be conscious of the fact that as good and right we may believe ourselves to be, there are those times when we must resort to acts that would be repugnant to us otherwise.

May we not be overly exuberant in displaying our emotions this day; vindictiveness is a trait not possessed by the righteous.

There is a fine line between justice and vengeance. And, lest we forget, vengeance is an act reserved by a power greater than ourselves.

Dale Pierce

Buxton 

It’s a great day to be an American. Osama bin Laden is dead!

We may have a lot to criticize President Obama for — the economy, the socialization of health care, etc. — but his decision to order the takedown of bin Laden should be noted and congratulated.

And, the brave participants of this operation, Navy SEAL Special Operations Team #6, deserves our thanks and praise.

God bless America!

Dennis Gervais

Portland 

I sure am annoyed with all those folks who claim how horrible we are for killing “an unarmed” terrorist and then giving him an “unacceptable” burial at sea. Seems we gave him better than what he gave on 9/11.

Let’s look at the facts: one unarmed terrorist versus 3,000-plus unarmed, innocent people who just went to work that day; one burial at sea versus hoping for a scrap of tissue or bone to confirm a loved one’s death because there were no identifiable body parts left to bury for many.

Bin Laden and his cronies laughed and danced as thousands died. We will laugh and dance as one evil man died. God bless the Navy SEALs and God bless the USA! Add me to the celebrants.

Rosemarie Sanchez

Scarborough 

When critics talk about the media being negative, manufacturing “news” and creating controversy, today’s Press Herald coverage of the operation against bin Laden should be Exhibit A for the prosecution.

Here we are less than three days after the fact in what was a necessarily secret operation conducted at night, on the other side of the globe, where the details are, of course, still confused, and the Press Herald uses inflammatory language to suggest that there is something nefarious going on.

“U.S. Alters Account” the headline screams, and the first paragraphs of this “news” story say the White House “retreated” from “provocative assertions” and was “on the defensive” after having “exaggerated elements of earlier accounts.”

What nonsense. Any thinking person would understand fully that as the media pressed for details in the immediate aftermath, there would be clarifications, changes and more information developed in the following days. But the Press Herald wants to turn this into a news story itself.

What nonsense! And I thought I had seen it all with your hard-hitting, in-depth coverage of the crucial labor painting “issue.”

Bill Muller

Falmouth 

Maine Woods National Park would be economic boost 

A recent letter (“North Woods park would deprive Maine of revenues,” Maine Sunday Telegram, May 1) suggested that if philanthropist Roxanne Quimby’s lands in the Maine woods are donated as a national park, it would be an economic loss for Maine.

On the contrary, a new Maine Woods National Park could increase the tax base, since federal payments-in-lieu-of-taxes are often higher than property tax payments by forestland owners in northern Maine, which average only a little over $1 per acre per year.

A park would also offer many other economic benefits. It would supplement the forest products industry and diversify our state’s economy. It would create new jobs restoring damaged forests, rehabilitating habitat, and managing the park. It would draw new businesses and residents seeking a healthy natural environment to gateway communities.

It would also allow us to expand Maine’s tourism economy in our struggling northern counties.

Already, Acadia National Park brings over $166 million per year to Maine’s midcoast and supports more than 3,300 private sector jobs. These are real dollars and real jobs.

Indeed, our national parks are economic engines. Nationwide, every dollar invested in national parks generates at least $4 in economic value. America’s national parks create $13.3 billion in local economic activity and support 267,000 private sector jobs. National parks represent an investment that leverages enormous economic prosperity.

A Maine Woods National Park could be one of the biggest jobs programs for northern Maine. But in addition to the economic benefits, it would provide many other public values, including preservation of treasured landscapes, protection of wildlife habitat, conservation of ecological values and opportunities for public recreation.

Maine has a chance to create one of the grandest national parks anywhere. Are we going to take advantage of the opportunity or squander it arguing about unfounded worries? As the saying goes, when opportunity knocks, open the door.

Jym St. Pierre

executive director

RESTORE the North Woods

Hallowell 

Maietta, Dill supporters outline candidate strengths 

I had the opportunity a couple of weeks ago to sit down with a small group of people to talk to Louie Maietta. We could ask him anything we wanted. And we did.

Some of the first questions were about what he was going to say about Cynthia Dill’s petition that was allegedly signed by out-of-state Moveon.org people, among other allegations.

He refused to talk about rumors or allegations. He would only stick to the issues facing the state.

He told us that he is running so that he can represent the people of District 7 and that his focus is on what the constituents see as important issues. He wants to work for what will make Maine a desirable place for businesses to locate and/or expand so that people of Maine can have jobs.

I would encourage everyone to go to his Facebook page: www.facebook.com/louieforsenate

Vote for Louie Maietta on May 10.

Kandi-Lee Hoy

South Portland

I am writing this letter in support of electing Cynthia Dill to Senate District 7. Cynthia has either lived and/or had her business in South Portland or Cape Elizabeth since 1993. She knows the people, issues and concerns facing the citizens of District 7.

She has demonstrated during her tenure in House District 121 that she has the skills and experience necessary to be a successful state senator.

I also know Cynthia both personally and professionally. She has been a civil rights attorney for nearly 20 years, fighting for the rights of people like you and me.

Her service on the Judiciary Committee has allowed her to make a significant impact on the laws that are considered and reviewed concerning our civil and criminal justice systems.

More importantly, Cynthia cares passionately about education, affordable health care, providing a living wage for all Maine citizens and maintaining and improving the health of our environment.

As a small-business owner, Cynthia has a unique perspective in bringing to the Senate both professional and practical experience in tackling and solving the problems facing small businesses.

I believe that Cynthia will do a great job in continuing the exemplary representation provided to the residents of Senate District 7 by Sen. Bliss. Please join me on May 10 in supporting Cynthia Dill.

Neil D. Jamieson, Jr.

Scarborough 

Renovation of civic center is about more than hockey 

I wish to respond to Bill Diamond’s letter on April 23 regarding proposed renovations of the Cumberland County Civic Center. He says the Pirates could help matters by improving their promotions during intermission.

I am not sure how the two matters are related.

First, the Pirates use maybe 50 dates. The civic center needs to be renovated not only for the Pirates, but to attract headliners who will not come here because it cannot handle the increasingly elaborate staging many artists require.

Sure, you can always travel to Manchester or Boston, but an empty civic center is going to require taxpayer support anyway, so why not improve the building and attract more events.

This is not just for the Pirates’ benefit.

Christopher Winters

Portland