What kind of children are being raised in our community? This is a question that scares me to answer, as my faith in youth has recently been tested. I am a member of the Central Jersey Italian American Club here in Jackson and until recently a 20-year resident as well. It was brought to my attention that the flagpole outside of our clubhouse had its flags stolen about a week and a half ago.

Now normally I would take this act as a harmless prank by mischievous juveniles, but as I sat there I started to brew. These flags, the American flag, the Italian flag and the MIA flag, were recently donated to our club in the honor and memory of an American hero killed in Muqdadiyah, Iraq.

As a matter of information, the street which was once called Christopher Columbus Boulevard was renamed Cpl. Luigi Marciante Jr. Memorial Drive for this young man who was killed defending our way of life.

Now, the flags and pole were donated and did not cost the club any money, but the flags were a symbol of this great nation and those who have died to preserve our freedoms. The vagrants, and I chose this word since others would not be printed,

need to know that there are pranks and then there are outright disrespectful, distasteful and horrific acts of hate and disdain.

All of you are wondering about what will happen when a new (residential) development begins occupancy, which coincidentally is directly behind our building. I wonder why you're worrying about

them. They are not here, and

we already have the youth of Jackson doing these atrocities. Worry about yours. Do you know where they were that night?

Tony Alfano

Central Jersey Italian American Club

Council Jackson