Like most veterans, I value the personal freedoms we enjoy in this great country. I also appreciate the sentiments of residents who feel they cannot support the proposed smoke-free ordinance since it will apply to "private clubs" such as the VFW.

Despite the good intentions, those sentiments are misguided. Personal freedom has never been defined as allowing one person's behavior to harm or risk harm to another's. That is exactly what secondhand smoke does.

The term "private club" is also misleading. The public is welcomed and encouraged to attend dinners, dances and other club functions. Charges to the public for these events supplement membership dues that fund the many worthy programs these organizations support.

If you really want to support veterans' rights, then lend your voice and dollars to seeing that they get the benefits they were promised when they stepped forward to serve. That struggle has been going on since the Revolutionary War.

On April 5, join me and other veterans in voting yes for a smoke-free and healthier community.

DAVE HARDESTY, Cape Girardeau