Attend a funeral this Memorial Day weekend

About “Houston Memorial Day Events: Concerts, Fireworks, Memorials and More” (May 22): This Memorial Day weekend, countless people will place small American flags on the graves of veterans across the country. Dew. Score of Houstonians are scheduled to hold a similar ceremony at Houston National Cemetery, with the official ceremony beginning Monday at 9 a.m. It’s always a remarkable transformation to see the vast green fields covered in red, white and blue in just over two hours.

Even more moving are the small moments we witness in that short time: fellow veterans meeting with one another to remember fallen comrades; families searching the graves of their fathers, mothers and loved ones; groups coming together; some raising their voices, others in silence; laughter, prayers and tears.

It is essentially a state funeral for one day. If I could recommend it to everyone, it would be to go to the funeral.

That might sound a little creepy, but think back to funerals you’ve attended — surely there were at least a few services where you walked away with a renewed sense of purpose?

I encourage you to spend time in the grounds prepared by others, and I promise you that you will walk away with the words “May peace be with you” in your mind.

For all of us, and for yourself, please go to the funeral.

Regarding “City of Uvalde to pay $2M to settle Robb Elementary School shooting lawsuit” (May 22): Please remember and pray for the 19 students and two teachers killed in the Uvalde massacre two years ago. The officials who gave the guns to the 18-year-old who killed them will not.

John Covarrubias, Houston

Regarding “Amid widespread cuts, Houston officials urge Mayor Whitmire to pressure HISD leadership” (May 20): Mayor John Whitmire resolves to more actively influence the decisions of Houston Independent School District Superintendent Mike Miles. Question for City Council members: When it became clear that the Houston Independent School District had so many students who could not read and write at grade level, where was your concern?

Regarding “What’s changed about Houston residents’ concerns? Survey results: Housing affordability | Editorial” (May 22): Former Rice University professor and founder of the Kinder Houston Area Poll, Steven Kleinberg, has made some interesting points in past annual surveys of Houston residents’ attitudes.

What about this year? Rent is too expensive, schools need more funding, and crime is a growing concern. All of these problems would be far less if the United States hadn’t allowed an estimated 10.9 million illegal immigrants into the country.

It’s great to hear that 9 in 10 Houstonians want Houston to lead the global energy transition, according to the latest Houston-area survey. A recent global warming study concluded that saving the world is much cheaper than destroying it. Every dollar invested in the energy transition now protects $6 of future income. Everyone can help. Third Act, a group founded by environmental activist Bill McKibben, is calling on people to tell Costco to find a different bank for their credit cards. They say Citibank funds fossil fuels.

Please take action to support children.

Wow, this was an eye-opener! The people of Houston are really pragmatic and forward-thinking, unlike the Texas government.

Why are there grooves? Simple: The Houston Area Survey surveys the entire population of a metropolitan county. But we Houstonians are just a nuisance to Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, and the rest of the gang. They are a tiny fraction of the population voting in the Republican primary, led by white right-wing Christian evangelical nationalists. The survey should have also asked, “Did you vote in the Republican primary?” That would explain the gap.

Regarding “The Streets Are Not Hollywood Sets | Opinion” (May 23): Letter writer Mark H. Ciman is correct that people might defend themselves when someone points a gun at them, but he seems confused about the facts of the Garrett case, the Foster & Daniel Perry case, and Governor Greg Abbott’s pardon of Perry. In fact, multiple witnesses said that Foster did not point a gun at Perry, and Perry himself said that he initially believed Foster was trying to point a gun at him. There seems to be a lot of personal delusion at odds with the facts these days regarding this case and others.