My brothers and I were fortunate to grow up in a home of love, caring and with the virtue of truth. Our parents taught us that if we didn’t tell the truth, our lies would have to get bigger. We had a feeling of trust in our home, neighborhood, and schools.

They both were in several campaigns in World War II — one in the Pacific Theatre, the other in Europe. Miraculously, they both came home. Our fourth great-grandfather fought in the Revolution; our great-grandfather in the Civil War, including Sherman’s March to the Sea. Those veterans trusted their leaders to tell the truth. My husband’s Uncle Stewart wasn’t fortunate to become a veteran; he died in battle in France four months before his 23rd birthday in WWI as part of the First Infantry. Let’s hope Stewart’s leaders were telling the truth.

Today, more than ever, we need leaders to tell the truth. Donald Trump has trouble with truth. He doesn’t search for it. He tries to create his own (alternate facts) for his own benefit, usually at the destruction of others.

Before Mr. Trump destroys more, we need other leaders and the rest of us to teach him the truth and to resist his continued destruction of our beautiful country.

Helen Ladd Hoover

Kingston