DEAR EDITOR:

We need to save Columbus, Ohio.

When Christopher Columbus was born in 1451, his parents named him after St. Christopher. His father believed he would be used to carry the divine word to the countries across the mighty ocean to heathen nations. He was baptized to do this work.

He fought in the War of 1476 at the age of 25 and was wounded. When he went to Portugal, he learned to read and write and learned geographical works, mathematics and astronomy, as well as shipbuilding and rigging. He learned three languages. He made maps and charts.

When Columbus came to the king and queen of Spain, it was the queen who believed in his dream to go to all the countries to bring new Christians from these countries.

The king had to OK it. He went behind the queen and sent criminals and jailbirds and rapists — they were anti-Columbus’ dream. They were paid ahead of the trip.

These evil men did everything they could against the new Christians on these islands. Columbus suffered from arthritis; it kept him in bed for weeks on end.

The captains let these evil men do whatever against the new Christians. He had to fight against lies from these men and commanders.

The queen stood with him. His friend, Amerigo Vespucci, for whom the new lands America were named, worked for him. Pain and pride get you in trouble.

LENA FOX,

New Middletown