EDITOR,

This Memorial Day weekend, with the sun shining and birds singing, all of a sudden there was a loud BOOM, BOOM.

I look at my dog, who is in the yard with me. He is shaking violently. It is cannon fire from the nearby Roaring Camp Railroad Civil War event — and this is only the beginning. The booms go on for a long time, and I have to go indoors.

Why in heaven’s name is this noise pollution allowed? Do we need this in our relatively quiet mountain community?

I also question the need for war memorabilia as sport for children of a generation who: a) see too much of that on TV and in video games; b) need to realize cannons were used to kill people — they are not for fun; and c) must remember we are still engaged in a war on several fronts, where big boom booms are killing our guys and theirs everyday.

I would like a Memorial Day sans the booms so I can be outside with my dog without him shaking and me cringing. Anyone else feel the same way?

Susan Kirk, Felton