Not everyone respects our freedoms

To the editor:

Dear Joe/Jane sign thief: This morning I saw that you had stolen the two Obama signs in our yard and those in our neighbors' yards. Initially, I was willing to write this off as typical Halloween mischief, until I realized that the McCain signs are still in yards across the road.

I would like for you to know that my husband, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, and our 8-year-old son placed those signs in our front yard. Today our son is proudly wearing his father's Navy uniform to school. When he arrives home, the place where you trespassed to carry out your petty oppression, he will find that the signs he was excited about and proud of have been taken by you.

We have taught our son that one of the many things that makes our country truly great is that our citizens are entitled to freedom of speech. Today you will teach our son that, even among fellow American citizens, not everyone understands and respects that freedom.

SERENA BEAM, Cape Girardeau