Former beneficiaries can help now

To the editor:

One of the largest natural disasters ever in the U.S. is unfolding before our eyes. The situation is still unfolding with increasing flooding in some areas. The death toll and property damage are still unknown.

In this time of great stress and want of fellow citizens, local, state and federal disaster relief agencies are converging on the stricken areas as well as the Red Cross and other private relief groups to provide the basic needs of the population.

With a disaster of such magnitude, I am waiting to see what foreign countries come forward to promise assistance. This could be in the form of immediate help with search and rescue, dispensing of food, water and shelter or even money to help rebuild ruined lives. In most disasters around the world, the U.S. is a leader in providing this type of succor.

After World War II, the U.S., with our taxpayer dollars, rebuilt both European and Asian countries, including friends and former foes. I hope that by the time this is printed we are seeing some of these countries come forward to provide assistance with something besides platitudinous words of sympathy.

While there is no doubt we well recover and rebuild, some help to us in this time of need from those who have received so much from us in the past would seem appropriate.

TERRY CANUPP, Cape Girardeau